Preventing incidents is the ultimate goal of the safety professional. But preparing to respond to an incident is a huge part of our job. Despite our best efforts, incidents will occur. With proper preparation, we can minimize the damage they do. To properly prepare for an incident, every organization must have four elements in place. We've looked at the first two of these elements: the Incident Management Plan and the Accident Investigation Plan. Now let's look at the remaining two, both of which are based on the most essential resource of all: the people in your organization.

Tool #3 - The Trained Lead Investigator

Investigative skills are not intuitive; they must be learned. Every organization should have someone who is educated and trained in conducting accident investigations, and who is completely familiar with the Incident Communication Plan and the Accident Investigation Plan. [Editor's Note: See Del Grosso, "How to Train Your Accident Investigators," May 26, 2005, in the SafetyXChange archives.]

The trained investigator may work alone or it may be necessary, depending on the nature of the accident, to assemble an accident investigation board, consisting of these key positions:

• Lead Investigator: This person leads the investigation, assigns duties to other team members, coordinates the organization and analysis of collected data and assembles the final report.
• Management Representative: This person adds top level support to the investigation board and can ensure additional resources are available when needed.
• Engineer: An engineer (whose specific area of expertise will be determined by the incident) adds to the technical proficiency of the board by interpreting test data and lab results, reviewing design criteria and formulating recommendations for design changes.
• Supervisor: The supervisor should be somebody who's familiar with the work situation involved but who wasn't directly involved in the accident. This person can add to the investigation board's overall understanding of the work process involved in the accident.
• Worker: This individual adds an important perspective - that of the person who actually follows the procedures and performs the tasks. A worker on the board can be invaluable when attempting to answer the question: 'Why did they do it that way?'

Depending on the situation, other persons may also be warranted, such as an insurance representative, a legal representative or a union representative.

Tool #4 - Trained Supervisors and Workers

Workers and supervisors have a role to play when incidents occur. Organizations should thus let employees know what they're expected to do and provide appropriate incident response training at least annually. Everybody in the organization must be prepared to carry out their roles. For example, if workers are expected to perform rescue functions, they will need training in areas such as AED use, first aid, CPR or even high angle rescue.

Obviously, the level of training necessary will be determined by the type of work your organization performs and the hazards likely to be encountered. In any case, practice is of utmost importance. Employees must train and practice for these situations so they're more likely to react effectively when and if an actual incident occurs.

Conclusion

Preparing for an incident response is an ongoing process. Be sure to review your Incident Management Plan and Accident Investigation Plan and retrain your employees at least once a year.

A final word of advice: If an incident occurs, don't let your hard work just sit on the shelf. You've prepared for this. Now follow your plan!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Some Tips for Protecting Your Kids

By Catherine Jones

Halloween is a safety conundrum. It's a holiday in which our kids engage in behaviors that we normally discourage: Horseplay, talking to and taking candy from people we don't know, walking around the streets at night, etc. But since there's no avoiding it, follow these tips to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe during the trick-or-treating and other holiday festivities:

Costume Safety

• Choose bright costumes or add strips of reflective tape for visibility
• Avoid costumes that are long and flowing to prevent trips and entanglements
• Avoid masks and hats that restrict vision; instead use non-toxic makeup or face paint
• Look for "flame resistant" or "flame retardant" labels on costumes and accessories

Trick-or-Treating

• An adult should accompany trick-or-treaters, especially younger ones
• If you have older kids who are going it alone, plan the route with them and restrict it to a neighborhood you know well. Also be sure to set a time you expect them home.
• Stay in groups
• Cross at crosswalks
• Use the sidewalk
• Carry a flashlight and batteries

At Home

• Remove from your yard obstacles that could trip trick-or-treaters
• Sweep leaves off your sidewalk and steps
• Place lighted pumpkins on a sturdy surface, far from the reach (and costumes) of small trick-or-treaters
• Examine all the candy your kids bring home. Throw out anything that's been opened, not in its original wrapping and homemade (if you don't know the source).

For more Halloween safety tips, visit the websites of the Home Safety Council (www.homesafetycouncil.org) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org).

Jack 'O Lantern Product Recall

Halloween decoration recalled.

When decorating your house for Halloween this year, don't overheat your Jack 'O Lantern. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning about Jack 'O Lantern buckets containing eight tea lights. If all eight candles are lit at the same time, it can generate too much heat and pose a fire hazard.

There have been three reports of fires when all eight candles in the bottom of the bucket decoration were lit, including damage to carpets and a table, other minor property damage and one second degree burn.

The Jack 'O Lantern buckets are tea light candleholders sold in three colors: orange, cream and black. The buckets are about 6.25 inches high and about 7 inches in diameter at the top. They have item number 14609-00 or 14609-02 written on a sticker located on the bottom of the buckets.

If you have this bucket, use only a single candle at a time and trim the wick of the tea light according to the instructions on the bottom of the bucket.

For more information, contact Far East Brokers and Consultants, Inc. toll-free at (877) 332-9006 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top