Accident Investigation

The senior staff member available at the accident scene or the first member notified should complete the appropriate investigation reporting form (accident, incident, near miss).  Complete the Accident Investigation Report form, the completed form should be returned to the Office of Risk Management & ADA, which will be reported to the Accident Investigation committee.
When a student is injured:

1. If injury is life threatening, call 911, then call Campus Security at x2222 to report incident.
2. Call Health Service x2200 for all other injuries.
3. Protect others.
4. Minimize property damage.
5. Stabilize the situation.
6. Conduct an investigation.

When an employee is injured:

1. If injury is life threatening, call 911, then call Campus Security at x2222 to report incident.
2. If minor injury, bring or send injured employee to the Human Resource Office for direction to the respective Worker’s Comp clinic.
3. Protect others.
4. Minimize property damage.
5. Stabilize the situation.
6. Complete the Injury & illness Incident Report form.

General guidelines for investigating accidents:

• Go to the scene of the accident while the facts are fresh.
• Inspect and record any changed physical characteristics or conditions of the accident site
• Preserve any physical evidence, such as potentially defective equipment.
• Take photos to help preserve the scene (i.e., puddles on the floor, overturned storage shelves and spilled contents).
• Talk to the injured person, if possible.
• Talk to any eyewitnesses.
• Ask simple open-ended questions, one question at a time, and attempt to have events related chronologically to ensure thorough coverage.
• Distinguish a person’s actual knowledge from hearsay.
• Ask when, where, who, how, and what was said or done.
• Avoid opinions, judgments or conclusions and be as objective as possible.
• Avoid commenting on the information gathered except to confirm your understanding or to clarify.
• Stress getting the facts.
• Do not comment on liability or fault during the investigation. Listen for clues in the conversation around you.
• Unsolicited comments often have merit.
• Review and finalize any notes immediately upon completion of your inspection and any interview or other communication with those involved.
• Fill out the appropriate accident, incident or near-miss form, giving an accurate account of the facts.
• Send the completed form to the Office of Risk Management & ADA for their review.