Incident Investigation And Near Miss Reporting Protocol
This corporate protocol establishes a standardized process for reporting, investigating, and documenting all incidents, injuries, and near misses. The goal is to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve workplace safety in compliance with WorkSafeBC and OSHA standards.
The Incident Investigation and Near Miss Reporting Protocol is a critical component of our corporate safety management system. It ensures that every workplace incident — regardless of severity — is promptly reported, thoroughly investigated, and systematically addressed to prevent recurrence. The program applies to all employees, contractors, and visitors on corporate premises and job sites. By fostering a culture of transparency and continuous improvement, we aim to reduce risk, enhance worker safety, and maintain regulatory compliance with WorkSafeBC, OSHA, and other applicable OHS regulations.
This protocol applies to all company-operated facilities, remote work sites, administrative offices, and any location where employees or contractors perform work under the organization’s direction. It covers all incidents including injuries, illnesses, property damage, environmental spills, and near-miss events. Every worker, supervisor, manager, and contractor is required to report any condition or event that could reasonably lead to harm or loss. This policy does not supersede emergency response procedures but works in conjunction with them.
- Immediate Reporting: All incidents and near misses must be reported to the immediate supervisor within 1 hour of occurrence. Delayed reporting may result in disciplinary action.
- Preserve Evidence: The scene of an incident must be secured and undisturbed until the investigation team arrives, unless immediate life safety or environmental hazards require intervention.
- Root Cause Analysis: Every investigation must utilize a recognized method (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram) to identify causal factors, not just symptoms. Corrective actions must address root causes.
- Documentation & Records: All incident reports, investigation findings, and corrective action plans must be completed within 7 days and filed in the central safety database. Records are retained for a minimum of 5 years per regulatory requirements.
- All Employees & Contractors: Duty to immediately report any incident, near miss, or unsafe condition to their supervisor. Cooperate fully with investigation teams and provide truthful accounts.
- Supervisors: Ensure the scene is secured, provide first aid as needed, notify the safety officer within 30 minutes, and complete the initial incident report within 24 hours.
- Safety Officer / Investigation Lead: Conduct formal root cause investigations within 72 hours, involve relevant personnel, compile findings, and propose corrective actions.
- Senior Management: Review investigation reports and approve corrective action plans. Allocate resources for implementation and track closure of action items.