Accident Analysis

What Does Accident Analysis Mean?

After an accident occurs in the workplace, an accident analysis is conducted to uncover the proximate and enabling causal factors so that measures can be identified and implemented to prevent a recurrence. The process generally involves the systematic collection, documentation, and communication of relevant information.

An accident analysis is also sometimes referred to as an accident investigation.

Safeopedia Explains Accident Analysis

Accidents are defined as unintended events that result in injury, illness, or material loss. Safety professionals regard accidents and incidents as preventable events that indicate correctable deficiencies in an organization’s safety and loss-control system.

Accidents almost never have just one cause but are the result of chains of events and circumstances. An accident analysis falls into the following categories:

• Causal analysis
• Expert analysis
• Organizational analysis

Following the outcome of an accident analysis, the employer may review the existing safety policy, update risk assessment or controls, and update the safety statement for the organization.