Incident Investigations Responsibilities and Process

Investigation Team

The following personnel will be responsible for conducting the investigation:

  • The Health, Safety & Environment Advisor (HSEA)
  • A member of the appropriate JOHSC representing the College
  • A member of the appropriate JOHSC representing one or both of the bargaining units
  • The affected worker(s) supervisor
  • If necessary a worker familiar with the tasks and duties of the affected worker(s)

*Note* the requirement of a JOHSC member representing the College can be achieved by the HSEA attending the investigation if an administration staff member is unable to attend.

Worker’s initial actions

At the onset of an Incident it is important that all workers take the appropriate action. Worker and student safety must be the foremost concern. All workers involved in an Incident other than that of a minor (first aid referral and possible immediate return to work) will do the following:

  • Stop all work in the immediate vicinity of the Incident
  • Ensure safety of all involved
  • Summon first aid care if necessary
  • Notify immediate supervisor or coordinator
  • If possible cordon off the area or at the very least ensure no work takes place until direction from the JOHSC and the HSEA is received
  • Notify the HSEA and at least one member of the JOHSC

Supervisor’s initial actions

The success of an investigation often comes in the first few moments. A lot of critical things happen in quick order. In the event of a minor Incident that would at most require only a referral to the first aid room the supervisor can fill out a Northern Lights College Incident /Near Miss Reporting form to be turned in to the Campus Administrator. In the event of a serious near miss or an Incident that requires medical intervention a supervisor must take the following steps, if they have not already been done:

  • Stop all work in the immediate vicinity of the Incident
  • Ensure safety of all involved
  • Summon first aid care if necessary
  • If possible cordon off the area or at the very least ensure no work takes place until direction from the JOHSC and the HSEA is received
  • Notify the HSEA and at least one member of the JOHSC

Preliminary Investigation

  • A preliminary investigation must be initiated and conducted by the supervisor or coordinator immediately after the event has occurred, or as soon as possible depending on the circumstances. It is important that the supervisor or coordinator do the following:
  • Prepare a list of all persons involved in the Incident
  • Note any witnesses
  • Gather background information, e.g. manufacturer’s directions, operating manuals, repair or recall notices, etc, that may provide information necessary during the investigation.

Conducting an investigation

For most minor Incidents the preliminary process will satisfy the investigation requirement. Some Incidents that are deemed more serious or where the persons involved were not available, for whatever reason, will require a full or final investigation.

  • To be held as soon as possible once everyone can be interviewed.
  • Will be conducted to fully investigate the causes of the situation and to recommend and establish corrective and preventative measures to prevent reoccurrence.
  • Investigating personnel will follow the process outlined in the Instructions to Incident Investigators located at the end of this document.

Investigation Report

The HSEA will keep documentation of these investigations. Copies will be forwarded to:

  • The nearest WorkSafeBC Office by the HSEA for all incidents as required by Division 10 of Part 3, Section 175 of the Workers Compensation Act.
  • The BCGEU as required by the Collective Bargaining Agreements for Faculty and Support Staff
  • The Campus JOHSC or Worker Representative

For all preliminary and final investigations the Northern Lights College Incident /Near Miss Reporting form is to be used.

This report contains information as follows:

  • Date, time, and location of the Incident
  • Names and job titles of people involved
  • Names of witnesses
  • A detailed description of the Incident
  • A sequence of events which preceded the Incident
  • Identification of unsafe conditions / acts / procedures that contributed to the incident
  • Corrective actions that will prevent similar Incidents
  • Names of the people who investigated the Incident
  • Other information that may be relevant to the Incident - factors, facts, etc
  • Photos, drawings, etc

Follow Up

Corrective & preventative actions must be implemented in a timely manner. This means in a timely manner so as to prevent similar incidents. Management will follow up with those responsible to ensure corrective actions have been implemented and are effective. As required by the WCA the College will respond to JOHSC recommendations within 21 days.

The Incident report and actions will be discussed with the crew involved, at the monthly safety meeting.

The JOHSC will post a copy on the Campus safety board.

WorkSafeBC Reporting

A First Aid treatment record is a legal document and must be made available to WorkSafeBC or the applicable Occupational Health and Safety Regulatory Authority upon request for review.

Investigations for minor Incidents / injuries / near miss Incidents will be documented and kept on file. There is no requirement for these reports to be sent to WorkSafeBC; however they will be made available for review upon request.

A copy of the investigations for serious Incidents / injuries / near miss Incidents will be sent to the local WorkSafeBC Office after the JOHSC has reviewed the investigation and made its recommendations.

The HSEAor designate will notify WorkSafeBC of any situation or Incident that meets the requirements of BC WCB Act Division 10 Part 3 Section 172, or other applicable Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and Regulation.

Informing the board BC WCB Act - Division 10 Part 3 Section 172

An employer must immediately notify the Board of the occurrence of any INCIDENT that:

  • Resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker
  • Involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system, or excavation.
  • Involved the major release of a toxic or hazardous substance, or
  • Was an Incident required by regulation to be reported?

Contact the local WorkSafeBC Office or the Richmond Office.

Fort St. John Office 785-1283
Pr. Geo. Office 561-3700 or 1-800-663-6623 fax - 561-3703
Richmond office – 1-604-273-2266 or 1-800-661-2112

After Hours Health & Safety Emergency Reporting 1-866-922-4357

Additional Links:

Northern Lights College Incident /Near Miss Reporting form
Instructions to Investigators
Incident/Near Miss Reporting Policy

-- Created May 2008| Review Date June 2009 -----