ROUTINE INSPECTIONS

 INSPECTION REPORTS

Standard Inspection Report forms are used to periodically audit the work site and identify hazards.  This will be performed by the Company Safety Officer/Engineer.  Hazards discovered should be corrected on the spot whenever possible.

The Inspection report should not be closed out and signed off until corrective action has been completed.

The Inspection Report is distributed as follows:

(1)        The white copy is to be sent directly to the Department.

(2)        The yellow copy is for the work site supervisor’s files.

(3)        The pink copy is to be sent to the inspecting individual.

(4)        Copies of reports made and completed by FWMC Safety Department or representative are available to management upon request.

FREQUENCY

The Safety Department recommends that each work site be inspected once per month and more frequently as conditions may warrant.

ACCIDENTS  -  OCCUPATIONAL

Much is learned through experience and this is particularly true in the case of accident prevention techniques.  To learn by experience, however, means that a system for the retrieval of information must be set up and  records must be kept of injury and damage experience.  When such a system is operational, information can be collated and analyzed to show accident patterns.  This analysis will allow the accident prevention emphasis to be placed where it is needed.

REPORTS AND RECORDS

An immediate oral report shall be made to the appropriate Company’s Safety Representative and to FWMC’s Accident Prevention Department in case of:

(1)               All fatal injuries

(2)        All major injuries requiring medical attention

(3)        All major damage incidents

(4)        All fires

Initial oral reports of such incidents shall be followed by written report detailing the circumstances, corrective action taken, and recommend action to prevent a recurrence.

The written report should be submitted on a monthly basis. In the case of serious accidents, a fully detailed account of the circumstances including witnesses’ statements and descriptive photographs is required.  Written reports of serious accidents should be filed immediately.

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Accident investigations must be conducted in a manner that will provide facts rather than faults.  The point of such investigations is to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.

                        The main purposes of an accident investigation are:

                        (1)        To find the causes so that similar accidents may be prevented.

                        (2)        To determine the point at which “unplanned” events took over from the “planned” sequence of events.

                        (3)        To recommend the corrective action to be taken.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONDUCTING INVESTIGATION

                        (1)        Supervisor/Foreman

The supervisor or foreman should carry out an immediate investigation of every accident, which occurs within his area of responsibility.  He should compile an accident report within twenty-four hours and submit it to his supervisor with a copy to FWMC’s Safety Department and retain one copy for himself.

                        (2)        Safety Office/Engineer

Within two working days after receipt of Supervisor or Foreman Accident Report, the Company’s Safety Office/Engineer should verify the findings of the foreman and carry out an independent investigation of every serious or potentially serious occurrence.  Whenever practical such investigation should be conducted jointly with other company representative.

                        (3)        Project Manager

The Project Manager or Superintendent should review all accident investigation reports to ensure that the corrective action has been taken and to observe any trends that may require action on his part.

PRINCIPLES OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

The scene of a serious accident should be left undisturbed until the Company Safety and/or FWMC Loss Control representative has had the opportunity to inspect and investigate.  The investigation should include but not be limited to the following:

(1)        Questioning the person in charge and finding out what was planned.

(2)        Finding out the injured person’s job or the normal position and function of the damaged equipment of plant.

(3)        Questioning the injured person as soon as possible.

(4)        Questioning the witnesses as to what they actually saw, not what they think happened.

(5)        Studying the environment and examining the equipment and plant for signs of misuse.

(6)        Finding the explanation for any irregularities.

(7)        From the information obtained, establishing the reason why the “unplanned” took over from the “planned”.

(8)        Recommending methods of implementing correction action.

ACCIDENT ANALYSIS

Experience indicates that nine general classifications of accidents exist:

(1)        Persons falling

(2)        Handling objects

(3)        Striking against objects

(4)        Stuck by objects 

(5)        Equipment

                        (6)        Hand Tools

                        (7)        Transportation

                        (8)        Hazardous atmospheres

                        (9)        Other specific causes

METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

                        Frequency Rates:

The Frequency Rate is used to compare accident and injury statistics either within a company or within an industry.

                                              Number of Disabling Injuries x 1,000,000

Frequency Rate          =

                                                Total Man-hours Worked

                                                    Hours of Exposure

For example:  A company operating six sites or contracts which had five disabling injuries in a total of 1,250,000 man-hours during a period would have a Frequency Rate of:

                                                5 x 1,000,000

                                                   1,250,000

Regular use of this formula will who whether or not a company’s own accident trend is getting better or worse.

OSHA FORM 200

This form is mandatory in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The log must be maintained and kept on the job site until the project is completed.  It will then be turned over to the FWMC's Loss Control Department when all phases of the job are complete.

The instructions for maintaining this log are on the reverse of the form.

It is recommended that a three ring binder be used for Form 200 and a copy of Supplementary Record of Occupational Accident and the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report.  It will be a convenient file of the occupational injuries on your project.

QUESTIONABLE INDUSTRIAL CLAIMS

Too often, questionable claims are processed.

An injury not reported at the time of the incident, instances where an employee retains a doctor without a referral or without having reported the accident to his supervisor, often fall into this category.  The rash of first-day-on-the-job accidents may have connection with injuries that are not job related.  First-thing-Monday-morning-accidents may be suspect.

If the validity of a claim is doubtful, please state the reasons on the Supplemental Report of Injury or on an attached statement. These should be dated, signed and witnessed.

The insurance company will be informed of any suspicious claims and they will be investigated.

The primary objective of Worker’s Compensation insurance is to see that employees are covered for the expenses of legitimate on-the-job injuries and that they receive compensation during a prolonged period. However, historically there have been many, “week-end injuries” and others unrelated to the job. This problem has been around for along time and the costs on these fraudulent claims are astronomical.

Every reasonable step must be taken to confirm the accident occurred on the job. If there is the slightest doubt or suspicion, investigate the alleged accident as thoroughly as possible at the job site, using discretion and prudence.

A written statement on every detail, no matter how trivial it may appear to be, may prevent a large and costly claim or lawsuit.