Accident Reporting at SMU RMEH S Safety Fair July

Accident Reporting at SMU RMEH&S Safety Fair July 18, 2003

Agenda: n. Accidents Do Happen n. Accident Reporting n. Accident Investigation n. WORKSHOP

What is an Accident? DEFINITION: For the purpose of this procedure, an accident is defined as "any unplanned event that causes, or has the potential to cause, an injury or illness and/or damage to person, buildings, or the natural environment. " Incidents range from serious incidents and emergencies to near-miss incidents where there is no actual injury or damage.

Types of Accidents Auto General Liability Property Loss Workers’ Compensation

Auto Accidents

Auto Accident Bodily injury or property damage caused by a land motor vehicle designed and registered for use on public roads.

General Liability

General Liability Accident Any injuries or damages to persons or property that are directly or indirectly attributable to the design, formulation, manufacture, distribution, use, operation, maintenance or repair of an entity; or the failure to warn of any such conditions

Property Loss or Damage Fire – Fraternity House, Mechanical Room Flood – Residence Hall Fire – Selecman Hall, Kitchen

Property Damage Property damage means physical injury to or destruction of tangible property including loss of use if the loss or use results from the physical injury or destruction of the property.

Workers’ Compensation Any injury or contracted disease arising out of and in the course and scope of employment.

It’s time to play

Question: Which of the following incident types results in the largest number of PROPERTY LOSS

n Trash Can Fires n Car Fires n Unattended cooking n Popcorn in microwave n Arson * These are based on estimated statistics

Accident Reporting All accidents that arise out of, or in the course of any University sponsored activity must be reported. The immediate supervisor is responsible for ensuring the correct procedures are followed. Incidents that occur on the way to or from work, during lunch or recreational breaks, or on University field activities must also be reported.

üStay calm. Reporting Procedures üBodily Injury? – Secure medical attention for the injured party(ies). Call campus police (on campus) or local police, as necessary. üEmployees should report all accidents involving bodily injury immediately to supervisor, campus police (on campus incident), OR local police, AND to RMEH&S within 24 hours. üAs applies, obtain police officers name, police report number. üAuto accident? Exchange driver’s licenses, vehicle data & insurance information. üObtain the name(s) and contact information of any witnesses present at the scene. ü Assist police and RMEH&S with Accident Investigation. üComplete Accident Report Form and forward to RMEH&S.

Accident Report Form

Auto Accident Report Form

Accident Reporting-Student • In the event of an injury occurring to a student who is employed on a casual basis, it must be established whether the person was performing an activity as a student (i. e. in pursuit of study) or as an employee (i. e. on a paid basis) at the time. • If a student was in fact an employee at the time of the incident, a Work Comp First Report of Injury must be completed and forwarded to RMEH&S. (Police reports should also be forwarded to RMEH&S). • If a student was involved as a student and incurred an injury or illness the accident should be reported on the general Accident/Incident Report Form.

What Not to Do – • Never argue with a third party who is involved in, or witness to, an accident. • Never admit liability, or say that SMU will pay for any damages…rather, show compassion without an admission of responsibility. You may also tell them an investigation will be performed by the Police and/or Risk Management, and responsibility assigned.

Late Reporting of Claims: * Prevents early medical intervention * Results in higher total claim costs * Has a much greater probability of being denied coverage $$ WC Claims not reported within the business day following an injury will COST YOUR DEPARTMENT $1, 000 of the claim cost $$

It’s time to play

Question: What is the most common type of OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT that occurs on campus?

n Caught On/In/Between n Struck Against n Overexertion n Struck By n Slip/Trip - Fall

Accident Investigation The purpose of accident investigations is to find the underlying causes of an injury, illness, or “near miss” and to take corrective actions. Employees should understand that accident investigations are not intended to assign blame.

Accident Investigation Tips Conduct the investigation immediately after the accident. n In separate interviews, ask the primary person involved (i. e. employee, student, visitor) in the accident, and any witnesses, to tell you in their own words exactly what happened. n Repeat the primary person and witnesses’ descriptions of the event to allow them to make corrections or additions. n Review the completed form with each person involved to make certain that the report is accurate. n

Accident Investigation Risk Management’s Focus n Understanding accidents - direct and indirect causes n Establishing a framework n Getting to the root cause n Preparing and delivering findings n In collaboration with appropriate departments, initiating corrective actions to prevent recurrence if threats to health & safety are identified.

Accident Reporting – Workshop

Accident Scenario #1 The campus garbage truck is out on campus performing routine pickups. . There are three employees assigned to the vehicle; a driver and two attendants. It’s been threatening to rain all morning. There have already been a few sprinkles and the skies are dark. All of a sudden the dam breaks loose…it starts raining hard. The two attendants on the back run and get in the cab. They have only one pick up left and they are at the location. They decide between them that they will back up to the spot and “real quick” dash out of the cab and put the garbage in the bin. This location usually doesn’t have much garbage anyway. They are backing up, with very little visibility, when a student on a skateboard comes around the wall to their side and is hit by the rear of the truck. The occupants in the cab are unaware of the student until they feel the bump of the vehicle driving over something. It is the student’s skateboard and legs. They get out to see what they hit and discover the injured person. What should happen from here? What sort of claim is this? Auto or General Liability?

Accident Scenario #2 Sharon King has been employed at the University for two months. She is very energetic and dedicated to her job. Today, she has worked continuously on several projects that her supervisor has requested by 2: 00. After she has completed this tedious task, she breaks for lunch. Realizing that it’s 4: 00 she decides to eat popcorn as a snack since she has to meet her husband at Houston’s Restaurant for dinner. She places the popcorn into the microwave, unknowingly sets the timer at 20 minutes instead of the 2 minutes required. She walks down the hall to rest room and pauses for a conversation with one of her co-workers. When she returns she finds the popcorn is burning and has ignited cabinets in the kitchen. What should she do? How could she have avoided this fire?

Accident Scenario #3 On Tuesday morning SMU employee Peruna reported to work to start his day. Peruna has worked as a carpenter on campus for 31 years. (Peruna always wears his safety glasses and follows safety procedures) On Tuesday Morning about 9: 30 am Peruna mentioned to his supervisor Car Rag Phelps (better known as CRP) that his left eye was sore. He said some wood dust may have gotten in it while cutting boards to build the stables for the SMU polo horses. CRP told him to go check it out in the mirror. While Peruna was looking in the mirror he could see a small amount of wood shavings in his eye. Peruna went to the eye wash station and rinsed out his eye. After about 15 minutes he reported back to CRP and finished the days work. The supervisor filed a quick accident report and did not give the situation much more thought. Later that night Peruna woke up about 2: 00 am and went to look in the mirror. He had trouble opening his left eye and when he did get it open it was completely red and looked infected. His wife, Wilma Caustic (WC) immediately took him to the emergency room. While at the hospital the doctors used a special dye and found a large amount of wood shavings that needed to be removed. After the doctors removed the shavings WC took Peruna home but he did have to wear a patch over his left eye for a week while it healed. What should happen from here? What do you think is the root cause of this incident?

QUESTIONS? Thanks for Coming!