Accident Investigation (Part 2) Training Who is to be Trained

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1 Accident Investigation (Part 2) Training Who is to be Trained The training of employees in the Accident Investigation Procedure is a must. The following list of employees to train is simply a suggestion, but not a limitation. Those employees to receive Accident Investigation Procedure are: Employees responsible for taking calls concerning accidents (Dispatchers, Receptionists) Middle and upper management personnel (On call supervision) Supervisors in charge (Working foreman, Crew Chiefs, Led Lineman etc.) First responders to an accident (Trouble Crews) Investigation team personnel Analysis team personnel Emergency Response Organizations (ERO) Front Line Supervisor Training There are 4 main reasons why a front line supervisor should be trained. These are: They have a personal interest to protect. A Front Line Supervisor is responsible for specific work and area. An accident shows that there is a problem with people, equipment, materials, or the environment of that area. Accidents also affect work output, quality, and expense. It s in the supervisor s best interest to study and solve problems. They know more about the people and conditions. Front Line Supervisors already know much of the information. They plan and direct the work. They make some of the decisions on selection, training, and schedules. They know what others would have to seek. They know best how and where to get the information. The Front Line Supervisor knows the employee s capabilities, knowledge, skills and personalities. They also know who makes what decisions. They benefit from the investigation. Front Line Supervisors benefit most from effective investigations. A supervisor s prompt action shows concern for the safety and health of employees. Getting the problems solved and preventing disruptions and lost time increases productivity and reduces operating expense. Taking control of their own problems shows that they are competent and in charge. eliminate an occurrence.

2 Training Training concerning employees should be specific and detailed according to that employee s task during an investigation. If your organization is using the team approach for the investigation and analysis, all team members should be crossed trained in all areas of the investigation and analysis procedure. The training should be periodically updated both for those who have received training and those who are new to the procedure. Since those who are trained in accident Investigation may not have the opportunity to make many investigations, the need for re-training is important. An annual review of the investigation procedure is recommended along with formal training every 2 to 3 years conducted by outside sources such as your insurance carrier or statewide organization. Training The investigation procedure is initiated when the organization is notified of an accident, which has occurred on the system or to an employee. The person who takes the initial emergency call needs to be trained on what information or facts they are required to obtain concerning the accident; and who within the organization they are to notify after they have collected the initial information. The Dispatcher/Receptionist needs to be knowledgeable of what EROs are to be notified depending on where the accident is located on the system. The Dispatcher/Receptionist needs to be knowledgeable of what to document concerning information coming in from the field. Investigation Kit An important step in the pre-planning activity includes determining the equipment necessary for an accident investigation and assembling an investigation kit. The kit should contain the basic equipment used in any investigation. Additional safety equipment may be necessary based on the type and scope of the incident to be investigated. Develop a plan of procedures to be followed and steps to be taken when an incident occurs. Determine what safety equipment will be needed in each area of the plan. Here is a general list of items to include:

3 Investigation procedure guidelines Quality camera, with several rolls of film, all same type (suggest ASA 200, 36 exposure). Dictaphone to record conversations with witnesses or immediate impressions. Make sure you have fresh batteries. Bags to hold evidence, such as zip-lock bags. Large and small manila envelopes and plastic bags, containers w/caps. Identifying stickers Indentifying tags Chalk, pens, pencils, and colored magic markers Sketch pad, clip board, graph paper, steno pad and incident investigation forms. Flagging tape NESC & NEC code books. Florescent spray paint Investigation Kit Measuring extension stick. Protractor, ruler, cloth or plastic 100' measuring tape. Sag Thermometer Sag rope Cardboard arrows and fluorescent flagging tape to highlight items at the scene Blood Borne Pathogen kit Compass Scene lighting, or portable lighting Flashlights with fresh batteries Cell phone and or company radio Personal protective equipment hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, boots, hearing protection, etc. Training - First Responders The First Responders or Trouble Crew are generally the first employee or employees from the organization to arrive at an accident scene and can be with the first important step in the investigation procedure. With training the Trouble Crew can begin basic investigation procedure before the Investigation Team arrives. The initial and primary concern of the Trouble Crew is for the accident scene safety. If need be, the crew may have to secure the area. This can involve shutting down power sources, grounding lines, and removing any material that may cause a hazard. The Trouble Crew may need to start to care for those who are injured or

4 make sure that emergency assistance is on the way. After conferring with the Supervisor-In-Charge it may become necessary for the Trouble Crew to make temporary repairs to the line so that the accident site can be isolated until the investigation is completed. The Trouble Crew will have to isolate the accident scene by placing Utility Work signs, activating vehicle emergency lights, placing traffic cones, and barriers. It may also become necessary for the Trouble Crew to aid law enforcement in crowd & traffic control. At all times the Trouble Crew should cooperate and advise EROs (Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement Agencies) to ensure accident scene safety. After the Trouble Crew has assured that the accident scene is safe they can begin with the basics concerning accident investigation. The crew begins by preserving the accident scene site. Barricades should be in place to prevent unauthorized entry to the accident scene area. If possible before evidence (pole, vehicles, material etc.) is moved or removed from the accident scene site the Trouble Crew should make rough sketches, photographs, and measurements concerning the site. The Trouble Crew should attempt to document witness information, such as the names of witness s, their address, and phone numbers. Some witnesses may be reluctant to provide the crew with personal information. If that is the case the crew shouldn t try to force the issue. If a witness should live in the general area the crew should try to notice the address where that witness lives. If the witness came upon the accident in a vehicle and is reluctant to provide information the crew should try to document the vehicle license number. When at all possible the Trouble Crew should call the office and report what is occurring at the accident scene site this will provide another form of documentation concerning the accident. When the accident investigation is completed the Trouble Crew will want to return the site to normal conditions. Training - Investigation Team Industry recommends the use of an investigation team for accident/incident investigation. Using a team concept when investigating an accident/incident enables your organization to conduct a thorough, fast and professional investigations of any type accident/incident/incident that may occur on your system. The use of a team concept for investigation has other

5 Industry recommends the use of an investigation team for accident/incident investigation. Using a team concept when investigating an accident/incident enables your organization to conduct a thorough, fast and professional investigations of any type accident/incident/incident that may occur on your system. The use of a team concept for investigation has other advantages such as; the investigation load isn t the responsibility of one person, there is always someone to cover an investigation even if a member of the team is absent, more than one person conducting an investigation brings a different prospective to the investigation and it is always advantages to have more than one set of trained eyes looking at an accident/incident scene. The investigation team should be crossed trained in each other s duties, and then if a team member is absent another team member can step in and conduct the absent member s part of the investigation. Training - Emergency Response Organizations (EROs) EROs, or Emergency Response Organizations, need to be made to understand the importance of notifying your organization when an accident occurs concerning your system. It needs to be stressed that in all instances when your system is involved in an accident there is always a likely hood for dangerous conditions and that those dangerous conditions could effect everyone who may enter the accident scene area. It should be strongly stressed that your organization s employees are the only personnel who are trained in handling trouble on your system. It should be stressed that if the EROs fail to contact your organization and someone is injured or killed at the accident scene site that the ERO may incur liability for those injuries or fatalities. Coordination between your organization and EROs that operate within your service area should be evaluated. These organizations need to be informed about hazards that exist at an electric utility accident scene, the importance of your organization being notified immediately when an accident occurs on your system, and the importance of your organization being able to conduct a timely accident investigation.

6 EROs to be Contacted Information should be exchanged so that all EROs are aware of what is required of them when an accident occurs concerning your system and employees. The EROs to contact can include, but are not limited to: 911 emergency systems Law enforcement agencies (State Highway Patrol, Sheriff and municipal police departments) Emergency squads Fire departments Poison Control State, County and local Disaster Preparedness organizations ERO Accident Site Hazards As stated before, it is important for the EROs to be aware of accident site hazards. They should be aware of down conductors that could possibly cause a contact accident, conductors being energized, other items being energized, such as cable or telephone wires or metal fences, and materials and parts that are hazardous such as broken porcelain or sharp metal edges. The EROs should also be aware of work zone safety so that they can protect employees and protect the public from the accident site.