Incident
Investigation -- Tips, Techniques & Trivia
Some of you may have noticed that I missed the
November edition of the newsletter and this months is late. I've
been busy with investigations and am pedaling hard to keep up.
An investigation last month took me from Nunavut to Newfoundland
and a few places in between. Fortunately, it wasn't a fatality
but rather, one of those rare win-win situations where all parties
were simply seeking to understand what really happened.
Jeff
Personal Standards for Accident Investigators
Accident investigators should aspire to possess
the following personal qualities:
Objectivity. Above all else,
investigators seek to learn the facts about what happened. Extraneous
factors such as the personalities of those involved cannot influence
an investigation in any way.
Thoroughness. Investigators
should "turn over every rock" as an investigation proceeds.
Insatiable curiosity is a helpful attribute in an accident investigator.
Integrity. Accident investigators
must make it clear to everyone involved, including the person
signing their paychecks, that they seek nothing but the truth
and that nothing and no one can influence their findings or conclusions
in any way. Even their own employers must fully expect investigators
to honestly report their findings and conclusions regardless of
the implications.
Caution. Investigators must
be circumspect, strictly avoiding "premature interpretation"
of evidence or issuing opinions based on incomplete or unclear
information. An investigator should arrive at an accident scene
with an absolutely open mind and no preconceptions about what
happened.
Confidentiality. Investigators
are often privy to important or even incriminating information
about employees and employers and must be able to strictly protect
confidentiality. Investigators can't allow themselves to make
even "off the record" premature comments about an investigation.
Humility. Investigators can
never allow themselves to forget how complex accidents usually
are in the real world, and must be willing to accept the fact
that not all accident investigations result in clear conclusions.
Investigators must be willing to say, "I don't know,"
and to resist any temptation to force unwarranted conclusions.
Accident Management, Documentation & Investigation
C2001 Pupil Transportation Safety Institute
Media
Training
In a recent training session students felt there
was a need for senior investigators to have some type of media
training. There's a lot out there on the web on what you should
or should not do. Here's a sample:
If the media approach you at an accident
scene.
- Give yourself time to think.
- Tell the media you'll be available soon.
- Remember, the media/public have the right
to know facts.
- Accept the media's right to be at the scene:
- Stay calm and professional.
- Avoid "No comment."
- Never argue.
- Never ask to look at a reporter's copy, tapes,
or photos.
If you are making a statement or answering
questions:
Make your statement first:
- Take control; state the facts that you can
release.
- Express concern for the family of any victims
and other workers
- Most important facts first.
- Never give opinions or theories.
- Never down-play the incident.
- State you are cooperating fully with investigating
authorities
Then answer questions:
- Allow questions after your statement.
- Make your replies brief and factual.
- Don't answer "what if" questions.
If you don't know an answer:
- admit it
- offer to get the answer
- call back later with the answer
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