While each accident investigation is different, the following steps will almost always occur in Accidents and incidents.

A. On-call preparation
B. Notification and travel to the city nearest to the accident
C. Initial meeting with other team members
D. Initial meeting with manager of unit sustaining the accident
E. Initial site survey
F. Witness interviews and statements
G. Evidence collection
H. Development of accidents sequence, findings, and recommendations
I. Report preparation
J. Close-out briefings with management.
K. A flowchart of this process is located at exhibit 1-2

Investigation products

When complete, the investigation needs to have produced the following:

1. A chronology of the events leading up to the accident, the accident sequence, and the events that occurred after the accident

2. The direct cause of the accident

3. Indirect causes that contributed to the accident

4. Other findings, which if left uncorrected, could lead to another accident

5. Recommendations for correcting all causes and findings

Investigation Reports

Preliminary Report (24-Hour Report).

This document contains the first details of the accident. It provides preliminary factual information about the accident and may contain preventive measures or recommendations of an emergency nature.

A. Expanded Report (72-Hour Report). This document contains a brief narrative of the Accident based on factual information gathered on site.

B. Safety Alert. If a safety hazard or action item is identified during the course of the Accident investigation that requires immediate action, a Safety Alert will be developed to address the concern and recommend corrective action.

C. Factual Report. This document contains a chronology of events leading up to, during, And after the accident; the direct cause of the accident; and findings that contributed to the accident.

D. Management Evaluation Report. This document contains an executive summary of the factual report, conclusions and recommendations to prevent similar accidents and other findings that, if left uncorrected, could lead to future accidents.