Safety Policies and Procedures Manual
Investigating Accidents and Workplace Safety Conditions
SPPM 2.26
For more information contact:
Environmental Health and Safety
509-335-3041
Forms:
Contents
- 1.0 Overview
- 2.0 Investigating Major Accidents
- 3.0 Responsibilities
- 3.1 Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
- 3.2 Supervisor
- 3.3 Unit Administrator
- 3.4 Safety Committees
- 3.5 USDA Safety Office
- 4.0 Accident Investigation
- 4.1 Reporting
- 4.2 USDA-ARS Units
- 4.3 Preserving the Site
- 4.4 Investigation
- 4.5 Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report
- 4.6 Assistance
- 5.0 Investigating Other Workplace Safety Concerns
1.0 Overview
The investigation of accidents, near misses, and workplace safety concerns is an essential part of the University’s accident prevention program. A thorough investigation reconstructing the chain of events leading to an accident or near miss identifies unsafe acts and conditions requiring corrective action. An accident investigation and subsequent implementation of the corrective action reduces the potential for future accidents.
2.0 Investigating Major Accidents
Personnel from the offices indicated in the table below investigate major accidents resulting in death, serious injury (i.e., fractures, amputations) or in-patient hospitalization of WSU personnel and notify other appropriate University units and/or request assistance as needed.
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Table 1 |
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Injured Person |
Contact Investigating Office(s) / Telephone |
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Students / non-employees / visitors |
Primary: Risk Management (coordinating with Public Health & Safety as needed) Secondary: Environmental Health and Safety In Whitman County: Outside of Whitman County: |
|
Residence hall occupant |
Residence Life–Central Staff: 509-339-0285 |
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USDA-ARS employee |
USDA-ARS Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Office: |
|
All other employees (including student employees / volunteers) |
Environmental Health and Safety In Whitman County: Outside of Whitman County: |
Offices that investigate major accidents are responsible for ensuring that investigators are trained and that investigations are documented, in accordance with the University’s Internal Investigations Training and Policy, UPPM 10.17.
Exception: The USDA-ARS Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Office follows federal U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Worker’s Compensation Program investigation requirements.
2.1 Non-Pullman Locations, All Injured Persons
The local Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) unit takes the lead in major accident investigations at non-Pullman locations and coordinates with appropriate WSU Pullman departments (see Table 1). If no EHS staff are assigned to a specific location, the chief administrator assigns investigation responsibility to a trained local investigator and/or coordinates with Pullman departments.
3.0 Responsibilities
3.1 Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
The local Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) unit investigates all major accidents resulting in death, serious injury (i.e., fractures, amputations) or in-patient hospitalization of WSU personnel.
The local EHS unit may investigate minor injury accidents and near misses.
3.2 Safety Committees
Safety committees may assist in the investigation of accidents and near misses. See SPPM 2.12 for more about safety committees.
3.3 USDA Safety Office
The USDA Occupational Health and Safety Specialist from the USDA Safety Office investigates all major accidents resulting in death, serious injury (i.e., fractures, amputations) or in-patient hospitalization of USDA-ARS employees.
4.0 Accident Investigation
4.1 Reporting
The supervisor, upon notification of an occupational injury or illness, reports the incident. See SPPM 2.24 for reporting procedures.
4.2 USDA-ARS Units
USDA-ARS units follow federal U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Worker’s Compensation Program reporting requirements.
4.3 Preserving the Site
The supervisor ensures that the accident site is preserved as it was when the accident occurred. Equipment involved in a major accident is not to be moved unless it is necessary for victim removal or accident prevention. An EHS representative authorizes removal of equipment involved in a major accident. When appropriate, law enforcement personnel may direct the removal of equipment from non-work-related accidents.
4.4 Investigation
The supervisor is to immediately investigate a minor accident. The objective of an investigation is to determine the cause of the accident. After the cause is determined, the supervisor is to provide recommendations for corrective action to the unit administrator. The corrective actions shall eliminate or curtail the potential of recurrence. Law enforcement personnel may also investigate major accidents resulting in death or serious injury.
4.4.a Participants
Investigation participants may include the immediate supervisor of the injured employee, witnesses, an employee representative, and any other person with the relevant authority to evaluate the facts relating to the cause of the accident.
During the investigation the supervisor or other designated investigator interviews injured or ill employees and witnesses to the injury or exposure.
4.4.b Witness/Injured Person Statement
The injured person and witnesses must complete a Witness/Injured Person Statement. Complete and/or print the form to obtain copies. Witnesses must complete statements as soon as possible after the incident. Statements from injured persons must be obtained as soon as they are able.
Attach the Witness/Injured Person Statement to the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report.
4.4.c Evaluation Factors
Refer to the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report for factors to evaluate during an accident investigation.
4.5 Reporting – Supervisor and Departmental Responsibilities
Within 48 hours of the incident, the responsible supervisor shall complete an online incident report; supervisors shall gather sufficient information from an initial investigation to complete the report.
The supervisor also completes the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report whenever:
- The employee receives medical treatment;
- The employee is unable to work the next full or subsequent shift(s) because of the injury or illness; or
- In the event of a near miss or minor accident, the events or conditions involved indicate there was a high likelihood that resulting injury or illness could have been serious.
For more information, see the HRS online incident report web page.
The department routes the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report as indicated on the form.
The unit administrator is responsible for reviewing the reports and implementing corrective action to prevent accident reoccurrence.
The unit administrator may conduct an independent investigation if circumstances warrant it.
4.6 Assistance
Contact EH&S at 509-335-3041 if assistance is required in conducting an accident investigation or completing the report.
5.0 Investigating Workplace Safety Conditions
EH&S has authority to conduct investigations, inspections, and audits to ensure safe practices and compliance with various health and safety laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. In carrying out this responsibility, EH&S may access all buildings and facilities owned or operated by WSU; require appropriate corrective actions; and develop and implement new safety programs. EHS may consult with external agencies and regulatory bodies, as necessary and appropriate, on behalf of the University.
In investigating workplace safety concerns, EH&S references WAC Title 296 requirements, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Enforcement Policies and Rule Interpretations, the DOSH Compliance Manual, and collaborates with campus officials, local EH&S units, and other University administrators as needed.
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Revisions: Sept. 2025 (Rev. 149); July 2013 – reviewed; Jan. 2008 (Rev. 72); Jan. 2005 (Rev. 57); Jan. 1996 (Rev. 14); Dec. 1990 (Rev. 8); Oct. 1988 (Rev. 5); June 1986 (Rev. 1).