The Industrial Accident Investigation Techniques Manual

This publication is intended for personnel involved in safety, management, safety committee members, university students, and others involved in industry. It is systematic in approach to conducting an investigation including generic techniques and procedures that will be beneficial regardless of the type of accident (e.g. automobile, industrial machinery, power tools, aircraft , and falls). The importance of finding all causes is stressed (e.g. direct cause, indirect cause, root cause, primary cause, and secondary cause). Causes must be coupled to specific recommendations that will prevent the accident from recurring in the future. Th is book also shows that a system of investigation follow-up must be instituted. US Navy Captain (O-6) Nick Pacalo served as a pilot, safety specialist, and aircraft accident investigator during his twentyfive years in uniform. He served in Vietnam and in the Pentagon. Nick then became a Professor of Safety Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; serving as Department Chairman for three-years of that time. He is an authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor. He taught Accident Investigation and other safety courses at the OSHA Training Institute in Chicago for twenty-years. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), holds a B.S. from Kent State, an M.S. from USC, and did Doctorial studies at West Virginia University. His son, Patrick, has a Ph.D. in History and is a Certified Paralegal. He has many publications and worked in safety at Georgetown University and in the U.S. Army Reserve.