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.

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

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