Accident Investigation in Food Processing and Handling Environments

Workplace accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and when they do, the most important thing a facility can do is learn from them. This course explores the accident investigation process and explains how identifying the true cause of an incident is the key to preventing similar events in the future. Through detailed explanations and real-world case studies, employees will gain a clear understanding of how to participate in investigations, contribute valuable information, and help build a safer workplace.

Course Highlights

• The difference between accidents and near misses, and why both should always be reported
• Immediate response priorities, including first aid, notifying supervisors, and securing the scene
• The steps of an accident investigation, from planning to scene observation, interviews, and documentation review
• How to provide honest and detailed information when interviewed by investigators
• Root cause analysis (RCA) and how it uncovers the underlying causes of an incident
• Investigative tools such as fishbone charts and scatter plot diagrams
• Case studies involving dull knives, electrical shock, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• How to develop a Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) plan that addresses policies, training, equipment, and communication
• The importance of sharing investigation findings with all workers, including new hires

By the end of the course, you will have learned

• How to distinguish between an accident and a near miss
• The proper steps to take immediately after an incident occurs
• How an investigation team plans and carries out an accident investigation
• How to support investigators by sharing accurate observations and details
• How root cause analysis identifies the true source of an accident rather than surface-level causes
• How tools like fishbone charts and scatter plot diagrams are used to analyze contributing factors
• How to recognize common root causes such as inadequate training, faulty equipment, missing procedures, or miscommunication
• How a Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) plan addresses both immediate fixes and long-term prevention
• Why communicating investigation results across the workforce is essential to preventing future incidents