Incident investigation safety is a critical process that ensures the safety and well-being of workers in Canada. The process helps to identify the root causes of accidents and near-misses in the workplace and put measures in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. In Canada, there are various regulations and legislations governing incident investigation safety, with the aim of ensuring that workers are protected from hazards and dangers that may arise in their workplace.
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION DEFINITION
What is an incident investigation?
Incident investigation safety refers to a systematic process of identifying the causes of accidents, incidents, and near-misses in the workplace. The process involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing data, and determining the root causes of the incident.
The purpose of incident investigation training is to equip employees with the skills and knowledge required to conduct an effective incident investigation.
What are the key components of incident investigation?
Incident investigation is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. The following are the best practices for conducting an effective incident investigation:
- Act quickly – After an incident occurs, it is essential to act quickly to prevent further harm and to collect evidence before it is lost. The incident investigation team should be formed immediately, and the investigation process should start promptly.
- Ensure safety – The safety of the investigation team and any other personnel involved in the investigation should be the top priority. The investigation team should follow all safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Gather information – The investigation team should gather as much information as possible about the incident. This information may include eyewitness accounts, photographs, videos, and documents. The team should also review the organization’s policies and procedures related to the incident.
- Analyze data – The investigation team should analyze the data collected to identify the root cause of the incident. This process may involve using various tools and techniques, such as the “5 Whys” method or fault tree analysis.
- Develop preventive measures – Based on the analysis of the data, the investigation team should develop effective preventive measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. These measures may include changes to policies and procedures, additional training, or modifications to equipment.
- Communicate findings – The investigation team should communicate the findings of the investigation to all relevant stakeholders, including management, employees, and regulatory agencies. The communication should be clear, concise, and accurate.
- Follow up – After implementing preventive measures, it is essential to follow up to ensure that they are effective. The investigation team should monitor the situation and make any necessary adjustments to the preventive measures.
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION LEGISLATION
What is federal legislation?
The federal legislation governing incident investigation safety is the Canada Labour Code (CLC), Part II. The CLC, Part II sets out the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in federally regulated industries, including banking, telecommunications, and interprovincial transportation, among others (Source: Government of Canada, Canada Labour Code, URL:https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/l-2/).
Under the CLC, Part II, employers have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their workers, including investigating incidents and developing measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The legislation requires employers to report certain types of incidents, such as fatalities, critical injuries, and occupational illnesses, to the appropriate authorities.
In addition to the CLC, Part II, there are also other federal regulations and guidelines that govern incident investigation safety in specific industries. For example, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act sets out the requirements for investigating incidents involving dangerous goods in transport (Source: Government of Canda, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/t-19.01/), while the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission sets out the requirements for investigating incidents at nuclear facilities.
In the area of incident investigation, the CSA has developed several standards that can be used as guidelines for organizations to follow when conducting incident investigations. One such standard is CSA Z1005-17, Incident Investigation.
This standard provides a comprehensive framework for conducting incident investigations, including guidelines for establishing investigation teams, identifying contributing factors, and developing corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future (Source: CSA Group, Incident Investigation, URL: https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/Z1005-17/). The standard emphasizes the importance of a systematic and thorough investigation process that involves all relevant stakeholders, including workers, supervisors, and management.
Another CSA standard related to incident investigation is CSA Z1002-12, Occupational Health and Safety – Hazard Identification and Elimination and Risk Assessment and Control (Source: CSA Group, URL: https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/2703276). This standard provides guidelines for identifying and assessing workplace hazards, including those that may contribute to incidents. By proactively identifying and mitigating potential hazards, organizations can reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring and improve overall safety performance.
Overall, the federal legislation provides a framework for incident investigation safety in federally regulated industries and helps to promote safe and healthy workplaces across Canada.
What is provincial and territorial legislation?
In addition to the federal legislation, each province and territory in Canada has its own occupational health and safety legislation that governs incident investigation safety in provincially regulated industries. The specific legislation and requirements vary by province and territory.
Here are some examples of provincial and territorial incident investigation safety legislation:
Ontario: The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out the requirements for investigating incidents and developing measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is responsible for enforcing the OHSA in Ontario. (Source: Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, URL: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-labour-immigration-training-skills-development)
British Columbia: The Workers Compensation Act sets out the requirements for investigating incidents and developing measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. WorkSafeBC is responsible for enforcing the Workers Compensation Act in British Columbia.
Quebec: The Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety sets out the requirements for investigating incidents and developing measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) isresponsible for enforcing the ActRespectingOccupationalHealth and Safety in Quebec. (Source: Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, URL: https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/fr)
Alberta: The Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out the requirements for investigating incidents and developing measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Alberta. (Source: Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, URL: https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-incident-investigations)
These are just a few examples of the provincial and territorial incident investigation safety legislation in Canada. It is important for employers and workers to be aware of the legislation and requirements in their respective provinces and territories to ensure compliance with the law and promote safe and healthy workplaces.
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION TRAINING
What is Incident Investigation training?
Incident investigation training is a program that teaches workers and employers how to properly investigate incidents that occur in the workplace. The goal of incident investigation training is to identify the root causes of incidents, such as accidents or near misses, and to develop strategies to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Who is responsible for Incident Investigation training?
In Canada, employers are generally responsible for providing incident investigation training to their workers. This responsibility is outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation at both the federal and provincial/territorial levels.
Under the federal Canada Labour Code, employers are required to provide their workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to protect their health and safety while on the job (source: Government of Canada, Canada Labour Code, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/l-2/). This includes incident investigation training, which is necessary for workers to be able to properly investigate and report incidents that occur in the workplace.
At the provincial and territorial levels, OHS legislation varies depending on the jurisdiction. However, in general, employers are required to provide their workers with the training and resources necessary to identify and control workplace hazards, and to comply with applicable OHS legislation and standards.
Who needs Incident Investigation training?
Incident investigation training is necessary for a wide range of workers in various industries, including:
- Construction: Workers in construction industries, such as builders, electricians, and plumbers, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to properly investigate and report any incidents that occur on the job site.
- Manufacturing: Workers in manufacturing industries, such as those who operate heavy machinery or work with hazardous chemicals, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to identify and report any incidents that occur in the workplace.
- Healthcare: Workers in healthcare industries, such as nurses, physicians, and support staff, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to properly investigate and report any incidents that occur in patient care settings.
- Transportation: Workers in transportation industries, such as truck drivers and pilots, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to properly investigate and report any incidents that occur while transporting goods or passengers.
- Oil and gas: Workers in oil and gas industries, such as drillers and technicians, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to properly investigate and report any incidents that occur during the extraction, processing, and transportation of oil and gas.
- Mining: Workers in mining industries, such as miners and engineers, are required to have incident investigation training to ensure that they are able to properly investigate and report any incidents that occur during mining operations.
Can you do Incident Investigation training online?
This course requires only theoretical training and evaluation, making it suitable for both classroom and online formats. Online training adheres to the same standards as classroom training, ensuring that it is recognized and accepted. In fact, online training can be more convenient and efficient, as it eliminates the need for in-person attendance and allows for flexible scheduling.
Moreover, classroom trainings often have certain requirements imposed by the Ministry of Labour, such as a minimum duration of 8 hours, which may not always be necessary for the content being covered. Online training can be more efficient in this regard, as a well-designed 2-hour course can cover all the necessary material effectively.
Additionally, online training can be a more cost-effective option for employers compared to organizing in-person classroom sessions.
However, keep in mind that employers are responsible for selecting the appropriate level of training for their workplace, so it’s essential to check with your employer to ensure they accept online training for this purpose.
Where can you purchase Incident Investigation online training?
In today’s fast-paced society, online courses have become the cheapest and most convenient solution to get your safety training done. There are many methods and providers Incident Investigation training. With any training, it is essential to select a high-quality education provider and one that will provide the most value (best information retention in employees) for the time and money.
Ensuring your program materials are always up to date is also extremely important as the amount of health and safety regulations and enforcement is steadily increasing and constantly updating.
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INCIDENT INVESTIGATION CERTIFICATE
What do you need to learn?
To obtain an Incident Investigation Safety Certificate in Canada, individuals must complete a training program that covers the following key topics:
How long is the certificate valid?
This certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of completion printed on the certificate unless otherwise specified by an employer, legislation, or other authority. However, it is recommended for incident investigation team members to re-take this course on a yearly basis.
How will I receive my training certificate with eSafetyFirst?
The certificate will be automatically available for printing once you complete the course and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or higher.
All our courses will come with a PDF certificate at the end of the program.
This PDF file will have two pages: a standard certificate and a wallet-size training record.
The employer should store certificates, while the employee should carry their wallet cards at all times during work.
Students who prefer to receive wallet cards in a physical format can request and purchase a physical wallet card from eSafetyFirst. This optional item is not included in the course price and will cost an additional $10 for printing and shipping.
If you do not have the time to make your laminated wallet card, you may find it rather convenient to order this card directly from us.
How can I find my certificate if I lost it?
In most cases, this question is addressed to us by individuals who took their training with a different company. As a private company, we can only store and access our customers’ data. Therefore, if you did your training with another company, you need to contact them to receive a copy of your certificate.
If you are a customer of eSafetyFirst.com, then all you have to do is to Login to your account, and you can, at any time, download a copy of the certificate you received from us.
CONCLUSION
Incident investigation is a critical process that ensures the safety and well-being of workers in Canada. The process helps to identify, analyze the root causes of accidents and near-misses in the workplace and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.