When there is an incident at your workplace, whether someone was hurt or not, an investigation procedure will help you to follow necessary steps to identify what happened, how to prepare a report on an incident, and how to identify corrective actions.
While investigating, do not focus on finding fault or placing blame. Focus on what factors caused the incident and how it happened so you can prevent something similar from happening again.
Gather a team to investigate that includes the following:
- The employer or an employer representative.
- The OHS Representative or a member of the JOHS Committee.
- If applicable, subject matter experts (i.e., mechanics, electricians, safety consultant).
If the incident is an accident that caused serious bodily injury, a dangerous occurrence, or a fatality, you must report it to the WSCC as soon as possible – call toll-free 1-800-661-0792.
- Accident causing serious bodily injury: an accident at a work site that causes or could be expected to cause the death of an individual, or requires an individual to be admitted to a hospital as an in-patient for a period of 24 hours or more.
- Dangerous occurrence: any incident that does not result in but could have resulted in an accident that causes serious bodily injury (e.g., structural collapse, contact with electricity).
Process for reporting a dangerous occurrence, an accident causing serious bodily harm, or a fatality:
- Notify the WSCC’s as soon as you are able (call toll-free: 1-800-661-0792).
- Submit an Employer’s Report of Incident to the WSCC within 3 business days.
- Investigate and develop a report (see Sample Incident Report and Investigation).
Required Documentation
- All Work Sites:
- Incident Investigation Report including roles of the Joint OHS Committee or the OHS Representative, the supervisor, and the worker.
Regulatory Reference
- OHS Regulations: Sections 3, 8, 9, 28, 29
