There is an accident at your job site; what should you do? After seeking immediate medical attention for the injured person, it is time to Freeze the Facts.

As soon as possible, write down all the events leading up to the injury including any chemicals being handled, equipment being used, the general state of the work environment, i.e. ventilation, lighting conditions, noise levels, etc., at the time of injury. Statements should also be obtained from witnesses which contain events leading up to the injury as well as the mental and physical state of the injured at the time of the accident. Documentation of all the facts and a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident help create a clear, accurate picture of what actually happened.

Time is of the essence…as time goes by, the facts may become blurred. The injured and/or witnesses may unintentionally fill in memory gaps with inaccurate details. Separate handwritten statements signed by the injured employee and witnesses prevent the story from changing and reduce the employers’ liability exposure.

Should the injured employee be off-sight receiving medical attention an Accident Report should be completed by the supervisor and later signed by the injured associate.

The employee’s signature is important to insure he or she is in agreement with what is documented. A signed statement may also reduce potential liability if the employee changes the sequence or events or the injury "suddenly" begins to spread or move.

Establishing an accident investigation procedure and an expectation that all supervisors complete an Accident Report within minutes of the incident is a proactive approach to managing future injuries. Supervisors who interview witnesses, remove damaged equipment and any hazardous chemical are protecting their employees. A strict adherence to accident investigation procedures helps to reduce the reoccurrence of a similar accident and prevents the facts from changing to favor an injured employee hoping to manipulate the truth to his or her benefit.

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