33 1.3
ELEMENT 1.3 ELEMENT 1.2 ELEMENT 1.5 ELEMENT 1.1 ELEMENT 1.4 The four stages in investigation are:
1. Gathering the information
2. Analysing the information
3. Risk control measures
4. The action plan
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Gather the information 1 Gathering the information 2 Analysing the information 3 Risk control measures 4 The action plan It is important to capture information as soon as you are able to do so. This reduces the chance of it being tampered with,
such as equipment being moved, guards replaced, etc. Information gathered as quickly as possible is less likely to have been
tampered with, and therefore unbiased.
If necessary, work must be stopped, and everyone kept out of the area.
Information relevant to the incident can be gathered in several ways:
y
physical evidence. This includes photographs of the scene, CCTV footage, observations, sketches, measurements and
details of the environmental conditions at the time;
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verbal evidence. Witness statements (more on interview techniques
in 1.4). Talk to everyone who was close by when the adverse event
happened, especially those who saw what happened or know anything
about the conditions that led to it. Verbal information can also include
opinions and experiences of all parties involved; and
y
written evidence. Documentary evidence/records such as risk assessments
and training records, as well as company policies and procedures.
This information should be recorded initially in note form, with a formal
report being completed once this stage of the investigation is concluded.
These notes should be kept at least until the investigation and report are
complete, so that they can be referred to in case of dispute.
