SECTION III: BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

SECTION III: BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM

D) ACCIDENT AND OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS REPORTING AND/OR INVESTIGATION

PURPOSE

To determine the sequence of contributing causes to an accident or occupational illness in order to recognize and eliminate these causes and avoid recurrence of similar accidents or illnesses.

PROCEDURES

1. Notification: Each individual who has an accident is responsible for notifying his/her supervisor.

2. Accident/Incident Report Form: Within Community Colleges of Spokane, the Accident/Incident Report form is to be completed at the time of any and all college or work-related injuries or accidents (employee, student, or visitor), regardless of the severity of the injury. It is the responsibility of the injured party (or his/her immediate supervisor or instructor, as appropriate to the circumstances) to ensure that this form has been completed within 24 hours of the event, with copies routed as indicated on the form.

All CCS employees should be prepared to assist students or visitors in the reporting of a college-related accident or injury through completion and routing of the Accident/Incident Report form.

3. Accident Investigation:

A. Serious Injury Accidents: Per WAC 296-24-020 (2): "After the emergency actions following accidents that cause serious injuries that have immediate symptoms, a preliminary investigation of the cause of the accident shall be conducted....The findings of the investigation shall be documented by the employer for reference at any [time] following formal investigation...."

In the event of a serious injury, besides routing of the Accident/Incident Report form within 24 hours of the incident, notification to appropriate parties should be immediate (e.g., by telephone call to an immediate supervisor, the safety officer, and the CCS Environmental Health and Safety Office).

Upon receipt of the completed Accident/Incident Report form, or verbal notification of a serious injury, it is the responsibility of CCS Environmental Health and Safety Office staff to determine whether further accident investigation is necessary, utilizing the CCS form Investigation Report (accident, occupational illness and/or property damage)". They may conduct the investigation themselves, or may call upon the assistance of the appropriate safety officer and/or Environmental Health and Safety Committee.

The accident investigation may or may not require completion of a Hazardous Condition Report, with recommendation for correction of any hazard(s) noted.

B. Fatalities (Immediate or Probable)

Per WAC 296-24-020 (3): "Within 24 hours after the occurrence of an employment accident which results in an immediate or probable fatality to one or more employees, or which results in hospitalization of two or more employees, the employer of any employee so injured or killed shall report the accident either orally or in writing to the nearest office of the department [Labor and Industries]....The reporting shall relate the circumstances of the accident, the number of fatalities, and the extent of any injuries....Equipment involved in an accident resulting in an immediate or probable fatality shall not be moved until a representative of the division of industrial safety and health investigates the accident and releases such equipment, except where removal is essential to prevent further accident. When necessary to remove the victim, such equipment may be moved only to the extent of making such removal possible."

The reporting to Labor and Industries and initial investigation of a fatality accident is the responsibility of the CCS Environmental Health and Safety Office staff, working in conjunction with the Human Resources Office.

Required recordkeeping is discussed in Section III: Basic Elements of the Environmental Health and Safety Program, #I: Recordkeeping.

4. Near Misses: A "near miss" is defined as an incident where there is no personal injury but where damage resulted to equipment, or where damage did not result but the likelihood of personal injury to the employee was great.

Supervisors are encouraged to report and to evaluate "near misses," searching for the sequence of contributing causes. When identified, whether due to unsafe conditions or an unsafe act or a combination of both, appropriate corrective action should be taken. Such evaluations and investigations may or may not result in written documentation, e.g. completion of a Hazardous Condition Report form.

It should be noted that if the conditions which permitted the "near miss" or close call to exist are not eliminated, they may continue to cause additional incidents and may eventually result in property damage and/or personal injury to an employee, student or visitor.

5. Occupational Illness Investigation: When determined by staff of the CCS Environmental Health and Safety Office to be appropriate, an indoor air quality survey will be conducted in response to reports of occupational illness on the part of a CCS employee(s).