OSHA Workplace Investigation Procedures

In 1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed. This Act would protect workers from being killed or seriously injured on the job. OSHA was created to work with employers and employees by setting and enforcing health and safety laws within the workplace, keeping managers accountable for creating a safe and secure work environment.

Who Conducts The Accident Report?

Investigation of a workplace incident is usually carried out by a supervisor of the company where the accident occurred, however; OSHA encourages managers and employees to get involved in helping with the investigation.

The internal investigation of these incidents will make them aware of any hazards and address those hazards immediately to prevent future injuries and allows them to identify deficiencies in their health and safety procedures.

OSHA Investigation Steps

When an incident happens in the workplace, or even if it is a narrow escape, it is important that you let your supervisor or manager know right away. When your manager or supervisor finds out about the incident, they should immediately secure the area where the accident took place. All information should be gathered and filled out on an Incident Investigation form found in a kit provided by OSHA.

Once the site is secured, then the employer will look at the event area and begin to take notes and take pictures. The investigator is not seeking to point the finger at you, but they are looking for the exact cause of the incident. Identifying the cause is important so that it can be addressed to prevent future mishaps.

The Investigator now conducts interviews and will ask you questions about the incident, asking for the full account of the incident. The Investigator will interview co-workers, supervisors, and anyone else who might be a witness to the incident.

Once all the notes, interviews and pictures are complete, the investigator will fill out an incident report provided by OSHA and then look to see what needs to be changed in the workplace and make the necessary modifications also reporting the changes made.

OSHA expects employers to keep good records of all incidents reported in their place of business which will be a part of OSHA's inspections on the firm.

By conducting their own investigation, filling out reports which require action be taken to correct the deficiency. Employers are held accountable for providing a safe working environment which will not only save them time in the long run but money as well, cutting back on missed work and legal actions that can arise from and unsafe workplace.

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