Accident Report

CHAPTER - 10

ACCIDENT REPORT

 

What is a Report?

Reports are documents written/typed/submitted to record and convey information to specific audience. Reports are part of any business or organization and administration. An accident report documents an injury, accident, work stoppage, equipment failure, worker illness, or some problems. It is written either to report the mishap or it is written as response to a memo.

Situations when to write:

• If here is someone who is injured at work

• If there is a failure or fault in machine and the work stops temporarily

• If there is any malfunction in machinery

• If work is stopped for a temporary period of time

• If there is any accident because of machinery failure

• If harmony in the workplace is threatened

• If there is conflict/fight/harassment in the workplace

• If an employee is found to work in inebriated condition.

Why is it important?

It is very important because it can be used in claiming money from insurance companies or for getting compensation awards. It can be used in case of law suits. It is important for documentation purpose.

What goes in an accident report?

Accident reports should include the following:

• What happened

• When it happened

• Why it happened

• What the business did about it or will do about it

• Recommendations to avert this kind of accident in future

Checklist for Accident Reports

Accident Reports should have the following features:

• Date of event

• Location

• Full names of people involved 10 Nam

• Name of the in-charge and department

• Names of witnesses

• Reason for the accident

• Environmental condition if applicable (faulty electrical wiring, slippery floors, poor lighting, hazardous materials, poor machinery etc.) be

• Description of the job duty that was being performed at the time of the accident

• Detailed description of the event

• Parts of body injured and/or parts of equipment damaged

• Description of employee's response immediately after the event

• Extent of damage

• What kind of first aid given

• Treatment of injury or course of action taken

• Suggestions or recommendations to prevent such kind of accidents in future

Other Considerations:

Witnesses: While drafting the report, it is necessary to include different opinions or perspectives of those around when the accident took place.

Neutral Language: Because these documents may be used in court or in other legal proceedings, it is important to use specific facts and neutral statements instead of emotional statements sa off) and oels at s

Writing any incident report involves four basic steps.

Respond Immediately - First aid has to be given. The hazard has to be eliminated if still persists. The employee should follow the established procedure of the company.

Find the Facts - On-site investigation should be done so that the affected remembers the accident or incident fresh.

Analyze - Analyse the reasons:

• Primary causes

• Secondary causes

Other contributing factors

Complete Corrective Action Plan - Recommendations for corrective action might include the following corrective actions, as well as long-term corrective actions such as:

• Employee training is a must for safety of both people and machines

• Preventive maintenance activities for machinery

• Evaluation of job procedures

• Conducting a job hazard analysis or to foresee any other hazardsen

• Engineering changes that make the task

• Administrative changes that might be made in future for safety

 

Types of Reports

✓ Accident Report

✓ Visit/Tour Report

✓ Short Report

✓ Incident Report

✓ Lab Report

✓ Informational Report

✓ Survey Report

✓ Long Report

✓ Analytical Report

Tips

1. Write the report clearly

2. Go straight to the issue.

3. Soften the impact of bad news by using words like issue, challenge and difficulty rather than problem. Using seems to be rather than is also has the same effect.

 4. Use positive words with a negation, e.g. not easy, rather than negative-sounding words, e.g. difficult. Use Euphemisms

5. Focus on the issue rather than people involved

6. Use passive forms

7. Focus on solutions rather than problems.

8. State clearly what action is necessary.

9. Don't target anyone personally

10. Write an impartial but factual report.

 

Examples

I. Write a memo report on an accident that took place in a leading sugar factory.

ABC SUGAR FACTORY

From

The supervisor

Manufacturing Unit

To

The Managing Director

ABC Sugar Factory

Cuddalore

Dear Sir,

Sub: Accident happened on 15th Sep.2021 in Manufacturing Unit -reg

Ref: Memo NKM/MU/AC dated 15th Sep.2021

With reference to your memo cited above, a detailed investigation has been made to find out the cause of the accident and preventive measures to stop further accidents are also taken.

On 15th Sep.2021, when the workers were busy in the manufacturing unit, a spark ignited the electric wires because of short circuit and the fire spread quickly. About twenty workers experienced ten percent burns. They were immediately taken to hospital. They were given first aid as well. The fire extinguishers were used to put out the fire. It came to control after twenty minutes.

To avoid further accidents in future, the following steps should be taken.

1. Quality electric wires should be used.

2. The circuit boards should be serviced regularly.

3. Proper fuses should be installed.

4. Awareness should be created among the employees to rise to the occasion in case of fire accidents.

5. Automatic fire extinguishers should be installed wherever they are needed.

6. Training should be given on safety procedures

Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.

Sd:-----

Be

 

II. Accident report on the fall of an employee during working hours:

From

XXXX

XXXX

To

ddfdf

dddd

This is to inform you that one of the warehouse workers, Mr. ABCD slipped and fell down while carrying heavy load on 10th January 2022 in CDE Shipping company, Pondicherry. He was carrying the load himself after having waited for an hour for hand truck or pallet jack. Another possible cause for the accident is the condition of ABCD's PPE boots which should be worn only in certain places and only for two years

When ABCD fell, his colleagues rushed to his assistance. Suspecting a fracture, the supervisor on the floor Mr. STU decided to call 101. Mr. ABCD told the people around him that he felt a bit dizzy and lost his balance. He wanted to save the load from falling down and getting damaged and so it led to an awkward fall.

Two of his co-workers said that they noticed he was struggling a bit before the fall, but were busy with their own works. In spite of that they rushed to him for help. The statements of the witnesses are enclosed herewith for your perusal.

Mr. ABCD was taken to a nearby hospital and the doctor identified a hair line crack on his wrist. He was advised to have crepe bandage and not to shake his hand for a few weeks. He was advised rest for a few weeks and the doctor prescribed some medicines for his speedy recovery.

The supervisor, Mr. Tsu is currently working with the safety officer Mr. Fgh to assess the condition of the floor, the number and condition of hand trucks and pallet jacks as well as the condition of company-provided boots over two years old.

The above details will help you investigate and recall the incident with greater clarity.

Yours sincerely

Sd:-----------

LKJ

 

III. Accident report on the inhalation of carbon monoxide by an employee but saved.

From                   Date :

Address 1

Address 2

To

Address 1

Address 2

This is to bring to your notice that Mr. Cbr, a freight handler in XYZ Shipping Lines was exposed to carbon monoxide fumes on December 10th 2021 from around 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. He was at the unloading bay B, helping unload some freight from various containers with the help of two forklift operators, Mr.Fgh and Mr. Ijk and neither of them complained any discomfort.

During unloading, Cbr suddenly experienced lightheadedness and nausea. He informed his supervisor, Mr. Pqr that he was ill.

The supervisor noticed his symptoms were consistent with CO exposure, so he walked over to the area and felt the air quality seemed off. He ran a sensor, a Portable Direct Reading Monitor and discovered that CO levels were on the high end but within the acceptable limit: 30 PPM.

Mr Fgh ad Mr Ijk were ordered to turn off powered vehicles and sit in fresh air for an hour while the ventilation system could be examined.

CBR was driven to the hospital to receive treatment. On the way, he complained of blurred vision briefly but said that it had cleared up. He could resume work after three days of leave as per the doctor's advice. A full report will be attached once received.

CBR's colleagues, Fgh and Ijk didn't notice anything out of the norm with the air quality, but Ijk acknowledged that at 11:00 AM. There is no air quality data from that time. It is suggested that sensing of air quality at regular intervals by machines should be made mandatory to avert mishaps.

Yours sincerely

Mr. QPR-

in-charge

 

IV. Accident Report on an employee being hit by air nail gun but saved.

From

Address 1

Address 2

Address 3

To

Address 1

Address 2

Address 3

On May 12, 2021, at around 9:34 am at State Street job site, Mr. Pqr was hit by an air nail gun that had been dropped by Stu near the top of a staircase. The nail gun gained momentum as it tumbled down.

Pqr who was nailing drywall at the bottom of the staircase and wearing noise protective headphones, eye protection glasses and a short-sleeved shirt, was hit in the arm, causing a bruise and abrasion. He was treated with antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, a bandage, and an ice pack on the injured site. He returned to work within a half hour.

Stu had shouted a warning after he dropped the gun, but Pqr said he did not hear it. Stu said that he simply lost his grip. There were no other witnesses to report on the M99 08 circumstances of the accident.

Stu was wearing gloves when he dropped the nail gun. There are no outstanding hazards related to this incident and all workers will be reminded about glove selection and tool handling at the next safety meeting.

Thank you smuest

Yours sincerely

VWX

 

V. Accident Report on the sudden burst of crackers in the store room:

ABC Quality Crackers Factory

Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu

From: Mr. Kailash

To: All employees of ABC Quality Crackers Factory

Date: January 18, 2021

On January 18, 2021 at 7:05 a.m., the employees who were working in other blocks heard a sudden noise coming out of the store house where crackers were stored. The fire broke out and burnt all the crackers that were manufactured and packed. The firemen were immediately called and the fire was extinguished.

An investigating team found out that the fire broke out because of faulty electrical wiring. All the crackers that were manufactured recently and stored were burnt to ashes. The building of the storehouse was badly damaged. Luckily there was no staff inside the storehouse and no employee was hurt. The store house was small when compared to other store rooms.

My concerns and recommendations for the employees here are as follows:

1. Why wasn't the electric wiring checked at regular intervals?

2. Is there any additional safety requirement needed during packing to keep the products safe?

3. All staff will participate in a mandatory safety training session.

4. Evaluations of this incident will be discussed at a staff meeting after all surveillance videos have been reviewed.

Thank you all for your continued hard work. Please put your and your co-workers' safety first.

Sincerely,

Digital Sign:

Mr.Kailash