(1) After the emergency actions following accidents that cause serious injuries that have immediate symptoms, a preliminary investigation of the cause of the accident shall be conducted. The investigation shall be conducted by a person designated by the employer. The fire department shall establish a written procedure and a program for investigating, and evaluating the facts, relating to the cause of accidents. The findings of the investigation shall be documented by the employer for reference at any following formal investigations.
(2) Within eight hours after the fatality or probable fatality of any firefighter or employee from a work-related incident or the inpatient hospitalization of any employee as a result of a work-related incident, the employer of any employees so affected, shall orally report the fatality/hospitalization by telephone or in person, to the nearest office of the department or by using the OSHA toll-free central telephone number, 1-800-321-6742.
(3) Equipment involved in an accident resulting in an immediate or probable fatality, shall not be moved, until a representative of the consultation and compliance services division investigates the accident and releases such equipment, except where removal is essential to prevent further accident. When necessary to remove the victim, such equipment may be moved only to the extent of making possible such removal.
(4) Upon arrival of the department's investigator, the employer shall assign to assist the investigator such personnel as are deemed necessary by the department to conduct the investigation.
(5) The fire department shall preserve all records, photographic materials, audio, video, recordings, or other documentation concerning an accident.
Reference: WAC
296-24-020 (2), (3).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 09-01-158, § 296-305-01503, filed 12/23/08, effective 3/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010,[49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 96-11-067, § 296-305-01503, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]
(Effective January 1, 2014.)WAC 296-305-01503
Accident/incident investigation.
(1) After the emergency actions following accidents that cause serious injuries with immediate symptoms or incidents resulting in exposure to occupational disease-causing chemicals or physical agents, a preliminary investigation of the cause shall be conducted. The investigation shall be conducted by a person designated as qualified by the employer. The fire department shall establish a written procedure and a program for investigating, and evaluating the facts, relating to the cause of accidents. The findings of the investigation shall be documented by the employer for reference at any following formal investigations.
(2) Equipment involved in an accident resulting in an immediate or probable fatality shall not be moved until a representative of the division of occupational safety and health investigates the accident and releases such equipment, except where removal is essential to prevent further accident. When necessary to remove the victim, such equipment may be moved only to the extent of making possible such removal.
(3) Upon arrival of the department's investigator, the employer shall assign to assist the investigator such personnel as are deemed necessary by the department to conduct the investigation.
(4) The fire department shall preserve all records, photographic materials, audio, video, recordings, or other documentation concerning an accident.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 29 C.F.R. 1910.156, Fire brigades. 13-05-070, § 296-305-01503, filed 2/19/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 09-01-158, § 296-305-01503, filed 12/23/08, effective 3/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and[49.17].060 . 96-11-067, § 296-305-01503, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]