Assignment

Complete the following questions. Number and reference questons individually to be easily identified. The following must be used as one of the references.

Oakley, J. S. (2012). Accident investigation techniques: Basic theories, analytical methods, and applications (2nd ed.). Des Plaines, IL: American Society of Safety Engineers.

1. How do accident investigations help an organization avoid spending money in the future?

2. In addition to identifying accident causal factors, what other benefits does an effective accident investigation process provide to a safety and health program?

3. Describe two characteristics of an effective accident investigation process that you feel are particularly important. Briefly explain your choices.

4. Why is it important to include near misses in the accident investigation process?

5. Explain the four levels of accidents, providing an example of each. How are the categories different from each other?

6. What steps must an organization take before an accident occurs to ensure it is prepared to conduct an effective accident investigation?

7. What is the difference between linear and non-linear accident models? Why are non-linear accident models not used more often in workplace accident investigations?

8. Why is it better to apply the multiple causation theory rather than the unsafe acts/unsafe conditions model to an accident investigation? Provide an example that illustrates your point.

9. Two workers were assigned to replace a water valve located in an underground concrete vault. After removing the manhole cover, worker #1 climbed down the ladder into the vault. Worker #1 collapsed and became unconscious within seconds of reaching the bottom. Worker #2 went down the ladder to rescue worker #1 but was quickly overcome by the lack of oxygen. Both workers died at the bottom of the vault.

Discuss how you could apply a domino theory to investigate this accident. You may make additional assumptions about the scenario, as needed, for your discussion.

10. Consider the following accident scenario:

A maintenance worker mopped the floor in a hallway and then left the area without posting a "wet floor" warning. The lighting in the hallway had been lowered to conserve energy, so visibility was poor. Two employees walked down the hallway on their way to lunch, discussing where they wanted to go to eat. One of the employees slipped and fell, suffering a broken wrist.

Discuss how you could apply the Haddon matrix theory to investigate this accident. You may make additional assumptions about the scenario, as needed, for your discussion.

11. There are several interviewing tips; which, in your opinion, is the most important?

12. One step in the accident investigation process is preserving the scene of the accident. How do you preserve an accident scene?

13. Why is a "ready" investigative kit so important and valuable to accident preparedness?

14. Consider the following accident scenario:

Three workers were assigned to replace a water valve located in an underground concrete vault. After removing the manhole cover, worker #1 climbed down the ladder into the vault. Worker #1 collapsed and became unconscious within seconds of reaching the bottom. Worker #2 went down the ladder to rescue worker #1 but was quickly overcome by the lack of oxygen. Both workers died at the bottom of the vault. Worker #3 stayed outside the vault and called for emergency response after worker #2 collapsed.

Develop a list of five questions you would ask a witness to the accident. Explain why you chose each question.

15. Consider the following accident scenario:

Two workers were assigned to replace a water valve located in an underground concrete vault. After removing the manhole cover, worker #1 climbed down the ladder into the vault. Worker #1 collapsed and became unconscious within seconds of reaching the bottom. Worker #2 went down the ladder to rescue worker #1 but was quickly overcome by the lack of oxygen. Both workers died at the bottom of the vault. Worker #3 stayed outside the vault and called for emergency response after worker #2 collapsed.

Applying the "four P" evidence concept (physical, paper, people, and photographic), discuss the evidence related to the accident that you would want to collect. Explain the reasons for your choices.