Incident Investigation

EHS is responsible for coordinating the investigation of injury incidents. Every minor or non-disabling injury will be investigated with the same vigor and thoroughness as serious injuries. Minor or non-disabling injuries occur in relatively substantial numbers. Pro per and complete investigation of these injuries can be an effective tool to prevent both similar and more serious injuries.

The supervisor, under whose direction the employee is working, is responsible for conducting a complete and thorough investigation. He or she should record the findings in writing on the University Incident Investigation Form (http://www.ohiou.edu/ehs/indLinks.html) form, in triplicate: sending the original to the Workers’ Compensation Administration office, the second copy to the Departmental Head, and the third copy to the supervisor. The Workers’ Compensation Administration office will send a copy to EHS.

DON'T FORGET: Incident Investigation Forms must be completed in triplicate!

All Injury Investigation Reports will be reviewed by the Safety Officer in EHS to ensure that all pertinent informat ion has been obtained and that remedial action will be taken. In the case of serious or unusual injuries, the Safety Officer will thoroughly investigate the incident. In some cases it may be desirable to secure photographs, drawings, or other exhibits as attachments to the fact finding report, so that the facts involved in the incident will be clear. Reports should include detailed statements from all witnesses to the incident, as well as others who can provide information about the incident, if warranted.

Immediately after an injury or incident, the first step is to ensure that the injured person receives proper medical care. Call 911 for all emergency medical services. You should take the employee to the Occupational Health Clinic (or another medical facility) for medical evaluation and management in less severe cases. Then notify the Ohio University Police Department as soon as possible. After the injured person has been properly cared for, the injury investigati on procedure should be started promptly by the supervisor and submitted as outlined above. To the fullest extent possible without compromising safety, all the conditions that existed at the time of the incident should remain until the investigation is completed.

TIP: Call 911 for all emergency medical services needed as a result of an incident. All non-emergency injury victims should report to the Occupational Health Clinic.

Follow-Up Action:

• It is important to include in the Injury Report the specifi c actions that will be taken and the deadline for their completion. The supervisor should follow-up to assure that the specified actions have been taken.
• After the investigation is completed and remedial actions taken, the facts involved, findings developed, and remedial steps taken, should be brought to the attention of all employees in the incident area, and to those working on similar operations. The purpose of this communication is threefold:
• To provide additional safety training based on the facts involved in the
incident;
• To let employees know about the actions taken to protect their
safety;
• To prevent future incidents.
• It is desirable to get employee suggestions because of their intimate contact with actual working conditions. Also, participation by employees encourages their cooperation in avoiding unsafe acts or practices and in preventing future injuries.


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