Vehicle Accident Investigation Program - Integrated compliance audit

[6thsense]

We have a compliance audit with an Inhouse Integrated Environment, Health and Safety System and have to come up with a documented procedure covering Vehicle Accident Investigation. I have encountered a serious problem in that i have to carry out a comprehensive Root Cause Analysis of the incident and come up with Corrective Actions to prevent reoccurence of the accident.

Any one have experience in Corrective Actions dealing with Vehicle Accidents.

[SteelMaiden]

Forgive me if I sound stupid here, but why would the basic accident/incident investigation be any different for vehicles than any other incident? A lot of our investigations include mobile equipment, and we don't have a separate process/program/procedure/form for them. Is this an industry driven thing?

[6thsense]

SteelMaiden,

We do have an Incident reporting program. It works onsite and we have access to such information as everything involved is available to us. The problem I have is how do i carry out a Root Cause analysis when an accident happens offsite. "Someone drives into your car on your way to work" and I have to determine a Root Cause for this. How? I would be grateful for how you handle your mobile equipment

[SteelMaiden]

Well, I have a feeling that you are talking about things like company cars? We have some pick-up trucks that are taken off site. If there were ever an incident or accident off-site, we would use our normal reporting procedures. (as well as an official accident report from law enforcement) We do not have "company cars" that one would drive exclusively to and from home/work. All our mobile equipment "lives" on site.

[6thsense]

Some of our personnel do have cars they can and do take home. I had not considered the Law enforcement accident report. That would very much help. I have also resolved since these accidents occur beyond the immediate availability of our forms. It would be best to make a "kit" of some sort that contains these forms for accident reporting in every company owned vehicle such that our drivers can complete them at the accident site and surrender them when they do arrive at our company.

[Randy]

You'll only be able to determine some basic causal factors like road conditions, alcohol use, excessive speed, vehicle condition, tiredness of driver and stuff like that.....Other factors will escape you because they are subjective and difficult to quantify...like driver skill/competency, so you'll never be truly able to determine cause.

You ask how I know? After you been considered an expert witness during trial testimony a couple hundred times and investigated as many motor vehicle accidents as me you just know.

I'm a former law enforcement officer and certified professional police instructor and moter vehicle accident investigation and crash reconstruction were particular areas of expertise.

I also destroyed a few police cars myself

[Craig H.]

Originally Posted by Randy

I also destroyed a few police cars myself

Police cars, airplanes... I wouldn't let you borrow my bicycle!

[6thsense]

You guys are stars :-). Will post the finished material when im done