After you have initially documented the accident scene, the next step is to start digging for additional details by conducting interviews.
This activity is perhaps the most difficult part of an investigation. This module will help you understand how to set up an interview and develop interview questions. The module will also discuss how to organize the interview and the participants to most effectively get accurate information.
1. What is the next step after you have initially documented the accident scene?
a. Determine who is at faultThe purpose of the accident investigation interview is to obtain an accurate and comprehensive picture of what happened. To do that, the interviewer must demonstrate personal leadership and skill in conducting the interview. Since leadership is all about doing the right thing, I came up with seven "rights" to help us remember what we should do to make sure the interview process is effective. So, here are those seven rights...
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2. During an accident investigation, what is the purpose of the interview process?
a. To accurately determine what happenedIt's very counterproductive to give the impression in any way that can be interpreted by the interviewee as trying to establish blame. The purpose of the accident interview is to uncover additional information about the hazardous conditions, unsafe work practices, and related system weaknesses that contributed to the accident. Consequently, it's very important that effective techniques to establish trust and a cooperative atmosphere be used by the interviewer during the process. Two basic questions you'll want to answer are:
What are effective ways to increase cooperation in the accident interview process? What communication strategies might increase the likelihood of an adversarial relationship in the interview? As you conduct interviews, gaining experience along the way, you'll further develop the "art" of interviewing by improving your ability to apply these techniques.
3. What is the key strategy for conducting accident investigation interviews?
a. Appeal to feelingsYour first task is to determine who to interview. You will need to design your questions around the interviewee. Consequently, each interview will be a very unique experience. Interviews should occur as soon as possible, but usually they do not happen until things have settled down just a bit. Below are some people you may want to consider interviewing.
4. Who would you ask, during an accident investigation interview, to determine the actual vs. the appropriate manner in which a task is being performed?
a. Training departmentAn important aspect of your job, as the interviewer, is to construct a composite story or "word picture" of what happened using the various accounts of the accident and other evidence. To do that, you will need to understand effective interview techniques and be able to skillfully apply those techniques.
It's important to remember that you are conducting an accident investigation, not a criminal investigation. These two interview processes may be similar, but each has a unique purpose. Each process requires different techniques to achieve the intended purpose. The last thing you want to do in an accident investigation is to come down hard (be accusatory) on an interviewee.
Click on the button to see some effective techniques that will assure you get to the facts — not find fault.
5. Which of the following is an ineffective interviewing technique during an accident investigation?
a. Never going to the scene of the accidentAs you conduct interviews, gaining experience along the way, you'll further develop the "art" of interviewing by improving your ability to apply these techniques.
Click on the button to see more successful interviewing techniques to help do that.
Understanding and applying the information above during the interview process will help establish a high level of trust and a cooperative relationship so that you can get to the facts. Remember, intimidation and placing blame has no place in the accident investigation process and besides, it just doesn't work.
6. What is the best type of question to ask during the accident investigation interview?
a. Open-ended questionRead the material in each section to find the correct answer to each quiz question. After answering all the questions, click on the "Check Quiz Answers" button to grade your quiz and see your score. You will receive a message if you forgot to answer one of the questions. After clicking the button, the questions you missed will be listed below. You can correct any missed questions and check your answers again.