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Laboratory accidents occur with dismaying regularity. Nearly 10,000 accidents were reported in research laboratories in 2005, injuring nearly 2 out of every 100 researchers, according to government statistics. These accidents were OSHA recordable, meaning that staff injuries required more than simple first aid and that the accidents were attributed to the workplace. Nearly one-half of the accidents resulted in days away from work or restricted work duties, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Accident prevention is critical for any proactive safety and health program, particularly in laboratories and research settings. With proper training, engineering controls and administrative precautions, these risks can be effectively managed. However, accidents can and do happen, so an appropriate response methodology is needed to mitigate the situation and prevent recurrences.
An accident investigation must be carefully and thoughtfully executed to realize the full benefits of an accident investigation program. There should first be a clear notification and response protocol that guides the actions of those involved in the event and those who will investigate it. Clarity and ease of use of this process reduces the time that passes between the event and its investigation. A uniform, objective approach ensures that data gathered during the site investigation and interview phase will accurately inform any corrective measures. Although many investigation techniques are available, use of a systematic method is ideal for identification of an accident's underlying cause(s).
Once the investigation and root-cause analysis (RCA) are complete, findings must be reported to appropriate personnel (e.g., the site supervisor) in order to maximize cooperation with any necessary changes. Once management accepts the findings, a corrective action plan should be developed as soon as possible; it should indicate project scope, resources and metrics to be applied. Finally, the corrective measures implemented must be monitored; this requires integrating metrics into established systems to ensure that changes made result in the desired outcome.
Effective Accident Response
The notification and response protocol for any accident must be clearly understood by all staff. Ideally, a supervisor or committee should lead the accident investigation, with the SH&E professional serving as facilitator and process guide. Involving stakeholders early will lead to wider acceptance of the findings and more effective implementation of corrective measures.
Minimizing the time between the event and the investigation...