U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Investigation of a

Slip/Fall

Accident
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Instructor's Copy

Prepared by:

Lynn L. Rethi1

William J. Wiehagen1

Roberta A. Calhoun1

David Garry2

Henry P. Cole, PhD3

Michael J. Brnich, Jr.1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

Pittsburgh, PA

October 1999

 

1 Mining Division

2 Formerly with U.S. Bureau of Mines

3 University of Kentucky
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

2

Contents

Introduction 3

Exercise summary 3

How to use this exercise 4

Performance objectives 5

Master answer sheet 6

Instructor's discussion notes 12

References 15

Scoring Key 16

Field Test Data 17

Appendices

Appendix A: Instructions for exercise completion and exercise 

problem booklet (duplicate this copy for use in class)

Appendix B: Answer sheet blanks and trainee questionnaire

(print the latent image answers on these blanks)

Appendix C: Latent image answers (print these on the answer sheet blanks)
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

3

Introduction

This document contains most of the materials needed to use the exercise. The main

part of the document is the instructor's copy. It tells how to use the exercise, presents 

the objectives, the master answer sheet, the scoring key, and discussion notes to be

used following the exercise. The next section summarizes results from field tests of the 

exercise, and reports the miners' evaluation of the activity. The last part of this

document is three appendices. Appendix A is the exercise problem booklet. This

booklet can be duplicated locally. The booklets are reusable. One is needed for every 

person in the classroom. Appendix B is the answer sheet and the trainee's

questionnaire. Copies of this answer sheet must have the latent image (invisible) ink

answers that appear in Appendix C printed on them.1 Answer sheets are consumable. 

One is needed for each person or each small group of persons who work the exercise. 

Exercise Summary

Read this section first. It determines if the exercise is appropriate for your classes. If 

you choose to use the exercise, examine the table of contents and review the

remainder of this document. 

Type: Latent image

Audience: Supervisors, Safety Personnel and Accident Investigators

Length: Eight questions (30 minutes for administration plus 30 for discussion)

Skills: Developing a strategy or plan to prevent slips and falls

Following correct procedures in conducting an accident investigation

Preventing unsafe work practices

Recognizing and instituting hazard controls in the section

Identifying and implementing safe work procedures

Location: Underground coal mine section

Problem: You have been the general mine foreman at White Rock Mine for 4 years and have

worked at this mine for 12 years. The mine superintendent calls you into his office. He 

gives you an accident report of an employee in 4-G section who was injured while

carrying rock dust bags from the rock dust car to a battery powered scoop. It is several 

days after the accident and the mine superintendent assigns you and the safety

supervisor to thoroughly investigate the accident to determine all the contributing factors. 

Your job is to make specific recommendations to prevent future slipping/tripping

accidents.

 

1You can do this yourself if you have the proper equipment, or you may obtain copies of preprinted latent 

image answer sheets from NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA (412-386-5901) or

email to minetraining@cdc.gov .
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

4

How to Use This Exercise

1. Look at the performance objectives. Decide if the exercise is relevant for your

annual refresher class.

2. Work through the exercise with the special pen and score your responses.

3. Read the master answer sheet for the exercise. Look at all the answers.

4. Read the "Instructor's Discussion Notes" for the exercise.

5. Become thoroughly familiar with the problem so that you can present it to your class 

without reading it. Put the figures on an overhead projector so you can use these to 

help explain the problem.

6. When you present the exercise to the class:

- Explain that the answers from class members will be used to improve the

exercise in the future.

- Give each person an exercise booklet, an answer sheet, and a pen.

- Demonstrate how to select and mark answers using the special pen.

- Go over the instructions for working the exercise with the whole group.

- Explain the problem making sure everyone understands the problem situation.

- Have the class members work the exercise.

- When the class members finish, have them figure up their score using the

instructions at the end of the exercise.

- When everyone has finished, discuss the exercise. Let class members discuss 

the merits of each answer. Add your own ideas. 
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

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Performance Objectives

Objective Capability Description of required performance and 

number verb(s) conditions under which it is to occur

1 IT1 Identify methods for gathering information about a slip/fall accident 

given a brief accident description

2 HR/SW Recognize reasons a worker might not assume responsibility for good 

housekeeping and compliance to safe work

procedures

3 MH Discriminate from among managers statement and behaviors 

Identify those traits that effect promoting safe work practices

4 MS Evaluate likelihood that housekeeping and safety in the section

Judge will improve given information about the foreman's 

management style (e.g. method of work assignment, 

tolerance of unsafe behavior and conditions)

5 SW Choose interventions likely to prevent future injuries to a 

Select specific mine worker given information about 

Identify worker’s history, working conditions in the section, and 

observations of managers and workers behavior

6 HR Identify factors that contribute to slips and falls in a mine section

Recognize given information about housekeeping policies and 

practices, management style and behavior, and workers 

accountability for safety

7 SW Select recommendations likely to improve safety for a given mine 

section including changes in management behavior, 

housekeeping practices, and shared accountability among 

management and workers

 

3 Skill and knowledge domain abbreviations:

IT = Investigation Technique

HR = Hazard Recognition 

SW = Safe Work Practices

MH = Material Handling

MS = Management Style
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

6

Master Answer Sheet for Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Use this answer sheet to mark your selections. Rub the special pen gently and

smoothly between the brackets. Don't scrub the pen or the message may blur. Be sure 

to color in the entire message once you have made a selection. Otherwise you may not 

get the information you need. The last part of the message will tell you what to do next.

Question A (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

1. [ The foreman's knowledge and perceptions are important. Correct! ]

2. [ Correct! His knowledge and perceptions are important. ]

3. [ Correct! The co-workers may provide information that is useful for ]

[ understanding the factors that contributed to this accident. ]

4. [ He was not involved in this accident. ]

5. [ Useful information can be obtained in this manner. Correct! ]

6. [ He has little knowledge and few facts about this situation. ]

7. [ John and the section EMT who treated his injury both say he was ]

[ wearing a hard hat, hard toed boots, metatarsals, safety glasses and ]

[ heavy gloves. Correct! ]

8. [ You need to investigate the accident first, not the person. Prejudging ]

[ the person can prevent finding all contributing factors. ]

9. [ Asking the right questions should proceed independent of ]

[ personalities. You need to investigate the accident first, not the person. ]

[ Prejudging the person can prevent finding all contributing factors. ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

7

Question B (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

10. [ Correct! John may feel this way, but safety and hazard recognition and ]

[ corrective action is John's, and everyone's, responsibility when ]

[ performing a task. ]

11. [ John should know the job and the hazards better than anyone. He has ]

[ the responsibility to take the initiative to correct problems and ask for ]

[ help when needed. Correct! ]

[ ]

12. [ Correct! It is foolish to risk injury to himself simply because the boss ]

[ failed to tell him to correct a hazard that he could have corrected ]

[ himself. ]

13. [ John knew the hazards but did nothing to correct them. Some ]

[ additional training may be helpful, but observing, coaching, frequent ]

[ monitoring, reminders, and feedback from the foreman are also ]

[ necessary. ]

Question C (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

14. [ You do not have enough information to determine all of the contributing ]

[ factors of the accident. Jumping to this conclusion may stop you from ]

[ looking for additional causes. ]

15. [ One should never make this useless judgement. When this judgement ]

[ is made, people stop looking for contributing factors. ]

16. [ Saying "Be careful" does not demonstrate a serious concern for safety. ]

[ Actions speak louder than words. ]

17. [ Correct! This should prompt you to ask Bruce how he normally deals ]

[ with hazards like this. ]

18. [ At the present time you do not have enough information to make your ]

[ report. Correct! ]

19. [ Training records must be examined before you make this judgment. ]

[ However, having a piece of paper in the file does not guarantee an ]

[ individual will perform as trained, or that adequate task training took ]

[ place. ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

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Question D (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

20. [ Bruce needs to demonstrate by actions, and assist and direct his ]

[ miners in correcting problems, not only by making speeches. ]

[ ]

21. [ Bruce's actions speak much louder than his words. Correct! ]

[ ]

22. [ John may need more supervision than some miners, and he may have ]

[ needed help in correcting the problem. Correct! ]

23. [ Correct! A good foreman monitors workers frequently, instructs, and ]

[ follows up until he or she is confident the person will consistently ]

[ perform the job in a safe manner. ]

24. [ Safe work habits require not only initial instruction , but also observing, ]

[ coaching, frequent monitoring, reminders, and feedback. ]

Question E (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

25. [ Correct! Specific job assignments are needed so workers know what ]

[ to do and who is to do it. ]

26. [ Data from this mine show that 15-20% of the total accidents involve ]

[ housekeeping as a contributing factor. The rate on this section is likely ]

[ to be higher than elsewhere if housekeeping is not improved. Correct! ]

27. [ Job assignments need to be specific and followed up if housekeeping ]

[ is to improve and accident rates are to decline. Correct! ]

28. [ Perhaps, but this is unlikely because the foreman needs to learn some ]

[ basic supervisory skills in order to become more effective. ]

[ ]

29. [ Correct! Bruce is not the only foreman who is responsible for this ]

[ section. ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

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Question F (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

30. [ These observations may identify problems with tools, equipment, work ]

[ procedures or John's failure to consider safety in performing tasks. ]

[ Correct! ]

31. [ This training can start John thinking about how he could have ]

[ prevented those accidents and the type of thinking he must use in the ]

[ future. This is a first step in getting John to accept personal ]

[ responsibility for his own safety. Correct! ]

32. [ Disciplining an employee after an accident may be counter productive. ]

[ Monitoring and correcting work habits at the time they occur is more ]

[ productive. ]

33. [ Correct! This might reveal a physical or medical condition which could ]

[ have been a contributing factor in the accident. ]

34. [ If John is successful in this, it is a first step in helping him assume ]

[ responsibility and prevent accidents to himself and others. Correct! ]

35. [ Correct! This would contribute to reducing John's accident risk. ]

[ ]

Question G (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

36. [ Everyone tolerated this risky situation for a long time. Correct! ]

37. [ Correct! Specific job assignments with good follow-up by the foreman ]

[ could improve this situation. ]

38. [ The hazard should have been corrected earlier and the walkway ]

[ maintained. Correct! ]

39. [ Correct! Any worker on this section on any shift could have easily fixed ]

[ the mud hole and prevented the accident. ]

40. [ Correct! A good plan would include specific assignments. ]

41. [ Attitude is very difficult to measure. This is a judgment on your part and is ]

[ not factual. ]

42. [ Although he told his workers to "Be careful!", housekeeping was poor, ]

[ and the mud hole remained for a week. Correct! ]

43. [ This attitude was self-destructive and dangerous to John and his ]

[ co-workers. Correct! ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

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Question H (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

44. [ Correct! The foreman should not assume the employees will ]

[ automatically think about the safety aspects of the job. He should ]

[ instruct employees in recognizing and correcting hazards and monitor ]

[ their performance. ]

45. [ Correct! Foremen must take action to eliminate unsafe situations. ]

46. [ This clearly teaches Bruce what to do so that his management and ]

[ accident prevention skills can improve. Correct! ]

47. [ Correct! This is a good opportunity for them to make sure the ]

[ procedures are current and up to date. ]

48. [ This is a first step in improving housekeeping. Follow-up means ]

[ checking frequently, encouraging good performance, and correcting ]

[ problems. Correct! ]

49. [ This should be used as a last resort to correct his work habits if other ]

[ measures fail. Not correcting hazards is not acceptable. ]

50. [ Correct! A structured investigation for all lost time accidents is a good ]

[ safety practice. ]

51. [ If you work him weekends, it would likely alienate him and could lead ]

[ him to becoming a rebel. This will not teach him the skills he needs. ]

52. [ Correct! Good supervisors at all levels monitor performance and ]

[ provide constructive feedback. ]

53. [ This is a good opportunity to present a real issue to everyone else in ]

[ the mine. Correct! ]

END OF PROBLEM
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

11

Scoring your performance

1. Count the total number of responses you colored in that were marked "Correct". 

Write this number in the first blank on the answer sheet.

2. Count the total number of "incorrect" responses you colored in. Subtract this 

number from 16. Write the difference in the second blank on the answer sheet.

3. Add the numbers on blanks one and two.

4. The best score is 53. The worst score is 0.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

12

Instructor's Discussion Notes

Use the information presented here and on the master answer sheet, your own ideas

and experience, and those of the miners in your class, to discuss the exercise after it is 

completed. Group discussion can strengthen knowledge and skills, correct errors, and 

relate the exercise content to the experiences of the miners. After they have worked

the exercise, miners enjoy discussing the problem. They also frequently think of better 

ways to respond to a problem than those listed among the answers. The purpose of

the exercise is to help miners think about and remember basic knowledge and skills

they may someday need to deal with an emergency. The discussion following the

exercise can contribute to this goal and tailor the exercise content to the needs of the 

group you are training.

It is helpful to show overhead transparencies of the master answer sheet during the

discussion while the miners look at their problem booklets. This allows you to lead the 

group through the exercise and to disclose and discuss all the answers to each

question. Most of the information about why particular answers are correct or incorrect 

is given on the master answer sheet.

The following notes provide additional information for you to discuss with your class. 

Read through and think about the notes before the class. Don't read the notes to the 

class members. This would be boring and ineffective. Rather, incorporate the ideas

you find here with your own ideas and make these points at the appropriate place in the 

discussion of the exercise.

Question A - Answers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 are correct. The section foreman can give you 

insight into his role as supervisor and reflect his safety concerns (1). John's interview

will supply you with pertinent information surrounding the accident (2). Co-workers can 

be an excellent source of information in determining the contributing factors leading to 

the accident (3). By actually visiting the site where the accident took place (5), physical 

factors contributing to the accident can often be identified. It is important to determine 

if personal protective equipment was in use (7) for planning your preventive

recommendations. The purpose of an investigation is not to fix blame or find fault, but 

rather to identify contributing factors and to implement safety strategies that could

reduce future similar incidents. There are two categories of contributing factors. One 

is an unsafe act which is defined as any action which permitted or occasioned the

occurrence of the accident. The other category is an unsafe condition which is any

physical condition or circumstance which permitted or occasioned the occurrence of the 

accident. There may be several contributing factors in each category that lead to the

accident. The mine superintendent (4), and dispatcher (6) were not present at the time 

of the accident and had no connection to the incident, so there is no need to talk to

them now. Although you may consult personnel files in an attempt to determine

additional contributing factors leading to the accident, now is not the time because it

would cloud the investigator's objectivity (8). The investigation is independent of

personalities. Prejudging a person interferes with an investigation (9).

Question B - Answers 10, 11, and 12 are the correct choices. John may feel he must 

be specifically directed to correct unsafe hazards, but safety and hazard recognition
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

13

are everyone's responsibility (10). John is most knowledgeable of his job and it is his 

responsibility to either correct unsafe conditions or bring them to the attention of his

supervisor for correction (11). John has an obligation to himself and his fellow workers 

to correct hazards observed in the workplace (12). Additional task training may be

helpful (13), but it is more important to communicate with, and receive feedback from

his section foreman.

Question C - The correct answers are 17 and 18. When the foreman acknowledges

that the mud hole was there for a week (17), he should have been asked how and when 

he address such hazards. The investigators need to continue the investigation until all 

contributing factors leading to the incident (18) have been identified. Investigators

often make the mistake of ending an investigation once a single contributing cause has 

been determined. Very few accidents can be attributed to a single cause. All the

contributing causes should be explored to determine appropriate preventive measures 

that can be recommended to management (14)(18). Being accident prone is a

judgement and is not a consideration (15). "Be careful", does not demonstrate a

proactive approach to safety (16) or show concern, and has very little value as a

preventive measure. Even if documentation of task training indicates that John was

trained, there is no evidence that the training was appropriate (19). Many variables

affect training or performance, therefore this choice is inappropriate.

Question D - The correct answers are 21, 22, and 23. Observation coaching,

monitoring, reminding and feedback are the responsible actions a foreman needs to

incorporate into his management style. Just talking safety (21) isn't enough. John may 

require additional supervision and instruction (22) in correcting hazards in the

workplace. It is important for supervisors to monitor (23) and provide feedback to their 

employees to ensure the health and safety of his/her employees. It is not enough to

provide lip service, Bruce needs to demonstrate his safety attitude through proactive

actions (20)(24).

Question E - Answers 25, 26, 27 and 29 are the correct choices. The poor

housekeeping in the section (25) could be the result of Bruce's failure to assign specific 

job tasks. It is likely that housekeeping will not improve (26) and accidents will

continue unless interventions are introduced to improve housekeeping (27). Bruce's

shift may not be the only crew ignoring the housekeeping problem in the section. If

poor housekeeping is evident across all three shifts (29), it points to an organizational 

problem. Just because management has shown attention to this accident (28), it is

unlikely that this sporadic attention will improve housekeeping in the section. 

Supervisory skills and workers responsibility must be emphasized to bring improvement 

to the section.

Question F - The correct answers are 30, 31, 33, 34 and 35. Observations by

supervisors that increase workers' acceptance and fix responsibility (30) are essential 

tools in accident prevention. They assist the supervisor in identifying problems with

tools, equipment or work procedures. By providing feedback (34), training, and a

review of his accident (31), John may begin to accept personal responsibility for his

own safety. A medical examination (33) may reveal a physical or medical condition that 

contributed to the accident. Allowing John to be responsible for reporting or correcting 
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

14

unsafe conditions (35) is a correct step in raising his safety awareness. Disciplining an 

employee (32) after an accident is counter productive. Monitoring and correcting work 

habits at the time they occur is more productive because it provides immediate

feedback to undesirable actions.

Question G - Answers 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42 and 43 are correct. As a result of your

investigation, you identify the following four contributing factors leading to the accident: 

1) everyone, including management, tolerated the hazard for a long time (36)(39), 2)

specific job assignments (40) and follow-up could improve housekeeping in the section 

(37), 3) Bruce failed to give John specific work instructions concerning moving the rock 

dust and correcting the hazard (38), and 4) John's lack of responsibility (43) in

correcting the unsafe condition. It is problematic to attribute John's accident to his

"poor safety attitude." His safe or unsafe behavior (41) is much more related to the

specifics of his work assignment. The expectations and standards set by the foreman 

and other tangible factors add to his attitude.

Question H - The correct answers are 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52 and 53. By training 

the foreman in the proper management procedures of instruction, monitoring employee 

behavior, hazard recognition and hazard control (44), his safety awareness can be

heightened and communicated to the crew. It is the foreman's responsibility to ensure 

that any unsafe conditions he observes are corrected (45). If upper management sets 

the example and becomes actively involved (46)(52), safety commitment throughout the 

organization is re-emphasized. When a work procedure is revised (47), it acts as a

catalyst to involve management and labor in coming to a consensus on the safe and 

productive ways to complete a task. By having the foreman prescribe specific

assignments to crew members (48), he fixes responsibility. Then, through observing

and encouraging good performance, and correcting problems that arise, housekeeping 

can improve. When all lost time accidents are investigated (50), contributing factors

can be identified, trends defined, and appropriate recommendations made. Discussing 

this accident at a safety meeting (53) provides a real issue that everyone can relate to 

and affords an excellent opportunity for feedback.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

15

References

Accident Prevention Manual for Industrial Operations. 8th Edition, National Safety 

Council, Frank E McElroy, PE, CSP. 80-81376, 1980.

Occupational Accident Research, Proceedings of the International Seminar of 

Occupational Research, Saltsjobaden, Sweden. 3-5 September 1983. Urbasn 

Kjellen, Elsevier Science Publications B.V., 1984

“Research Study to Determine the Applicability of New Methodologies in Mine Accident 

Investigation,” Contract JO308008, Bureau of Mines.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

16

Scoring Key for Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

The correct answers are marked with an asterisk1.

Question Answer Number

A 1* 2* 3* 4 5* 6 7*

8 9

B 10* 11* 12* 13

C 14 15 16 17* 18* 19

D 20 21* 22* 23* 24

E 25* 26* 27* 28 29*

F 30* 31* 32 33* 34* 35*

G 36* 37* 38* 39* 40* 41

42* 43*

H 44* 45* 46* 47* 48* 49 50*

51 52* 53*

 

1This page is printed in large type and may be duplicated as an overhead transparency.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

17

Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident Exercise Field Test Data

Demographic data: n = 256

Average age 43.0

Average years experience: 19.3

Job categories: n = 203

Miner/laborer 19.2 %

Maintenance/technical 25.1

Supervisor/manager 52.2

Other 3.4

Specialized training reported:

Foreman 42.0 %

Safety committee 36.6

Accident investigation 55.1

Accident prevention 64.5

Loss control 16.7

Labor-management relations 53.1

Other training 6.1

Face validity of exercise:

Situation could happen 99.2 %

Helped remember something important 97.2

Learned something new 79.6

Exercise took too long 6.6

Liked working the exercise 94.7

Instructor's directions were clear 98.3

Written directions were clear 98.8

Diagrams easy to understand 98.7

Scoring easy to understand 84.0

Exercise easy to read 98.4
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

18

Trainee performance:

Score by question:

Score Max Min Mean Std. Dev.

A 12.5 5.56 10.50 1.444

B 12.5 3.13 9.29 2.150

C 12.5 0.0 9.39 2.536

D 12.5 2.50 10.14 2.391

E 12.5 0.0 10.07 2.434

F 12.5 4.17 9.73 1.794

G 12.5 4.69 10.41 1.702

H 12.5 3.75 11.15 1.503

Score 100.0 56.08 80.72 7.92

Total score:

Score percent

<60% 2.0

60.0 - 69.9 9.1

70.0 - 79.9 31.0

80.0 - 89.9 49.6

90.0 - 100.0 8.3

100.0

Answer discrimination:

40/53 positively discriminate 75.5

13/53 did not discriminate 24.5

0/53 negatively discriminate 0.0

Overall score by job category:

Miner/Laborer 79.3

Maintenance/Technical 82.1

Supervisor/Manager 79.9

Other 79.9

Questions discriminating at the .05 level: C, F, and G

Overall score by specialized training:

No specialized training reported 79.7

Reporting specialized training 81.1

Questions discriminating at the .05 level: C and D

Z = .55
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Appendix A: Problem Booklet

Duplicate this copy of the problem booklet for use in your classes. Booklets should 

be printed on only one side of the paper. Each person in your class should have a 

problem booklet while they are working the exercise. The problem booklets are

reusable. To save effort and money, ask the trainees to avoid marking in the booklets 

and collect all the booklets after the class.

You may obtain a copy of the problem booklet from NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research

Laboratory. The telephone number for this agency is listed in the footnote on page

three of this document.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Problem Booklet

NIOSH

Pittsburgh Research Center

Pittsburgh, PA

Behavioral Research Aspects of Safety 

and Health Group (BRASH)

Institute for Mining and Minerals Research (IMMR)

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

2

Instructions

Read the problem described on the next page. Then answer the 8 questions. Do them 

one at a time. Don't jump ahead, but you may look back to earlier questions and your 

answers. The questions tell you to select as many answers as you think are correct.

After you have selected your choice to a question, look up the number for that choice 

on the answer sheet. Rub the special pen between the brackets for that choice. A

hidden message will appear that tells you if the choice is correct and provides you with 

additional information. When you finish you will learn how to score your performance.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

3

Background

You have been the general mine foreman at White Rock Mine for 4 years and have 

worked at the mine for 12 years.

This mine has 3 working sections and a longwall and employs 187 miners who work on 

three production shifts.

Bruce Holt is a day shift section foreman. He has worked at this mine for 6 years, four 

years as a continuous miner operator, and two years as the section foreman for 4-G 

section.

The 4-G section is a five entry section. Housekeeping and maintenance of the section 

is split among the three shifts, with Bruce Holt's shift being responsible for the track 

entry.

John Smith has worked at this mine for 12 years. For the last 8 years he has been a 

scoop operator and section supply man.

Mike Powell, the safety supervisor, has 22 years experience in mining and 6 years in 

this job. 

Problem

The mine superintendent calls you into his office. He gives you the following accident 

report for John Smith, a scoop operator on the 4-G section:

Accident occurred on the day shift on 4-G section of the #1 Mine. Employee 

was carrying rock dust bags from the rock dust car to a battery powered

scoop. A muddy area, approximately 9' x 3' with ankle deep mud, was along 

the walkway side of the rock dust car. It consisted of a water and rock dust 

mixture forming a slippery walkway. Employee's right foot stuck in the mud

and his left foot slipped, causing him to fall over against the flat car. He

struck his left wrist on the car, causing a severe bruise. He lost a day's work 

as a result of this accident.

The accident report includes the drawing shown in Figure 1 on the next page.

Several days after the accident, the mine superintendent assigns you and the safety 

supervisor to thoroughly investigate all the contributing factors to this accident. He is 

determined to find ways to prevent slipping and tripping accidents. Your job is to make 

specific recommendations to the superintendent. You want your recommendations to 

be both practical and effective.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

4

scoop rock dust bags

rock dust bags 

on 2nd car

supplies on 

1st car

trolley 

wire

large mud hole

X

spot where John 

Smith fell

Figure 1: Sketch of the mud hole and accident scene
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

5

Question A

You meet with Mike Powell, the safety supervisor to plan the investigation. You both

want to find all the contributing factors for this particular accident. Which of the

following should you plan to do? (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

1. Interview Bruce Holt, the foreman of the 4-G section where the accident occurred.

2. Interview John Smith, the injured scoop car operator.

3. Interview John Smith's co-workers on the section.

4. Interview the assistant mine superintendent.

5. Visit the 4-G section and examine the area where the accident took place.

6. Talk to the dispatcher about the accident.

7. Attempt to determine if John was wearing proper personal protective equipment.

8. Review John's personnel file in preparation for your investigation of the accident.

9. Attempt to determine if John is a conscientious worker, so you can ask the right 

questions when you conduct your investigation.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

6

Question B

You and Mike decide to interview John, Bruce, & John's coworkers, determine if John

was wearing the proper safety equipment, and visit the accident site. You start by

talking with John Smith, the scoop operator. He says he was just trying to do his job, 

and that the boss wanted the dust in a hurry. He says if the boss would keep the

section cleaned up, this accident wouldn't have happened. Then you ask John, "Why 

didn't you clean up the mud hole?" He says, "The boss didn't tell me to fix it. It's not 

my job!" Which of the following are correct? (Select as MANY as you think are

correct.)

10. John feels he is not responsible for taking care of the mud hole unless he has 

specific orders to do so.

11. John should have informed his foreman about the hazard and suggested some 

actions to eliminate the condition or correct it.

12. It's John's responsibility to make the place safe for himself and his co-workers 

even though he was not specifically directed to do so.

13. John needs more training in hazard recognition.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

7

Question C

Next you interview Bruce, the foreman about the accident. He says that he sent John, 

the section supplyman, to move rock dust from the supply car to the scoop. (See

Figure 1). Bruce says that since this task is part of John's job, he gave him no specific 

instructions. Then he added, "Occasionally mud holes appear. This one was there for 

only a week. Since I know that John is somewhat accident prone, I told him to 'Be

careful!' John is the only one who was injured."

What should you conclude based on the foreman's statements? (Select as MANY as 

you think are correct.)

14. The accident is John's fault, due to his not paying attention to slip and trip 

hazards. 

15. John is accident prone.

16. Bruce, the foreman, is committed to safety, because he always reminds his crew 

to "Be careful".

17. Bruce, the foreman, was aware of the mud hole and the hazards it presented at 

the work site.

18. You need more information about the details of the accident.

19. Bruce, the foreman, did not provide John with adequate task training for this type 

of materials handling job.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

8

Question D

You have decided you need more information. You look at John's training record,

which shows that John has received his task training on scoop operation and materials 

handling. You, Mike, and Bruce visit the accident site on 4-G section. Bruce tells you 

he told John to move 20 bags of rock dust from the supply car to the scoop parked

about 40 feet away on the other side of the mud hole. Then, Bruce says he always tells 

his employees to work safely and take care of unsafe work hazards. He says he is

extremely interested in preventing accidents and constantly advises his employees

about changes in the conditions on the section.

Which of the following statements are true? (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

20. The foreman's perceptions and actions are likely to encourage John and the other 

miners to identify and correct unsafe work conditions.

21. The foreman talks safety but ignores his responsibility of correcting the hazard.

22. The foreman had a responsibility to instruct John about how to correct the muddy 

condition and work safely.

23. A good foreman is expected to monitor his or her employees frequently.

24. The foreman has provided enough instruction and supervision so that John should 

have been able to perform the job safely.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

9

Question E

As you examine the work site, you notice the dinner hole is dirty, there are roof bolts in 

the walkway of the track entry, there are papers and debris around the power center,

and the equipment on the section is dirty and covered with coal and stone. You ask

Bruce, "Do you assign specific miners to specific housekeeping duties?" Bruce says, 

"No, I tell them it's everybody's job!"

Given what you have seen and Bruce's response, what have you established at this

point? (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

25. Housekeeping on the section is generally poor.

26. Accidents involving housekeeping problems will continue to occur on this section.

27. On this section, housekeeping will probably continue to be a subject of discussion 

but not action.

28. Because of management's attention to this accident, housekeeping on this section 

will improve.

29. The housekeeping problem may not be limited to Bruce's shift.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

10

Question F

You decide you need more information and review John's personnel file and his

accident record. Here's what you find: John has worked as a scoop operator for 8

years, and has had 12 reportable accidents in the last 2 years. Most of these are

slipping, tripping and injuries to the hand. Interviews with John, his supervisors, and

co-workers indicate that he is a good worker.

What should you recommend for John, based not only on what you find in the

personnel file, but also on your investigation of contributing factors? (Select as MANY 

as you think are correct.)

30. Observations of John by you and Bruce.

31. Special attention or training and review of his accidents.

32. Discipline John.

33. A medical examination.

34. To provide John feedback that part of his job is to assess safety hazards before 

performing tasks.

35. Remind John it is his responsibility to notify supervisors of hazards and to correct 

those hazards under his control.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

11

Question G

Based on your investigation which of the following are contributing factors to John's

accident. (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

36. The foremen and crews walked through the mud hole for a week.

37. Housekeeping was generally poor.

38. Bruce, the foreman, failed to give specific work instructions to John concerning the 

moving of the rock dust and correcting the hazard of the mud hole.

39. John's co-workers ignored the hazard.

40. No specific plan for housekeeping was in force on this section.

41. John's poor safety attitude.

42. Bruce, the foreman talked safety, but took little action.

43. John, the scoop operator, felt he had little personal responsibility for correcting the 

mud hole.

WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SELECTION(S), DO THE NEXT QUESTION.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

12

Question H

Based on your findings, which of the following recommendations would you make to the 

superintendent? (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

44. Train the foreman to make safety a specific part of his work assignments and 

plans.

45. Remind the foreman of his responsibility to see that unsafe conditions are 

corrected before employees begin work.

46. Have the mine foreman tour section 4-G with Bruce to identify and describe how to 

correct unacceptable conditions.

47. John and Bruce should review the safe working procedures for this task.

48. Have the section foreman assign specific areas of responsibilities for 

housekeeping to each employee and follow up on assignments.

49. Discipline the foreman.

50. Plan and conduct an investigation for all lost time accidents.

51. Work the foreman weekends until he gets the message.

52. You, as the general mine foreman, and the safety supervisor should visit the 

section more frequently to assess housekeeping conditions and effectiveness of 

the section foreman.

53. This accident should be a subject of discussion at a future safety meeting.

END OF PROBLEM

Scoring your performance

1. Count the total numbers of responses you colored in that were marked "Correct". 

Write this number in the first blank on the answer sheet.

2. Count the total number of "incorrect" responses you colored in. Subtract this

number from 16. Write the difference in the second blank on the answer sheet.

3. Add the numbers on blanks one and two.

4. The best score is 53. The worst score is 0.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Appendix B: Answer Sheet Blanks

These are the answer sheet blanks. Copies of these blank answer sheets may be

duplicated in the normal fashion. However, the answers that are found within the

brackets must be printed on these blank answer sheets in latent image ink. These

answers are found in Appendix C. If you have the capability to print latent image ink, 

make copies of the blank answer sheets. Then make a mimeograph master of the

latent image answers that appear in Appendix C. Then print the invisible latent image 

ink on the blank answer sheets, being careful to make sure all pages print and that the 

appropriate answers line up with the appropriate blanks. The Master Answer Sheet

shows all the latent image answers in their proper place.

Most companies and trainers prefer to purchase preprinted answer sheets. You may

obtain copies of preprinted latent image answer sheets from NIOSH, Pittsburgh

Research Laboratory. The telephone number for this agency is listed in the footnote on 

page three of this document.

The exercise may be administered in small groups or individually. Used individually,

you will need one answer sheet for each person in your class. If you use the exercise 

in small groups, you will need one answer sheet for each 3 to 5 persons in your class. 

The answer sheets are consumable. You will need a new set for each class.

Special developing pens are also needed by each person who marks an answer sheet. 

These are “PENIB” and may be obtained from SICPA Customer Service, 8000

Research Way, Springfield, VA 22153, phone 1-888-742-7287.
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

1

Answer Sheet for Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Use this answer sheet to mark your selections. Rub the special pen gently and

smoothly between the brackets. Don't scrub the pen or the message may blur. Be sure 

to color in the entire message once you have made a selection. Otherwise you may not 

get the information you need. The last part of the message will tell you what to do next.

Question A (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

1. [ ]

2. [ ]

3. [ ]

[ ]

4. [ ]

5. [ ]

6. [ ]

7. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

8. [ ]

[ ]

9. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

2

Question B (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

10. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

11. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

12. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

13. [ ]

[ ]

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Question C (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

14. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

15. [ ]

[ ]

16. [ ]

[ ]

17. [ ]

[ ]

18. [ ]

[ ]

19. [ ]

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Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

3

Question D (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

20. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

21. [ ]

[ ]

22. [ ]

[ ]

23. [ ]

[ ]

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24. [ ]

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Question E (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

25. [ ]

[ ]

26. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

27. [ ]

[ ]

28. [ ]

[ ]

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29. [ ]

[ ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

4

Question F (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

30. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

31. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

32. [ ]

[ ]

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33. [ ]

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34. [ ]

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35. [ ]

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Question G (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

36. [ ]

37. [ ]

[ ]

38. [ ]

[ ]

39. [ ]

[ ]

40. [ ]

41. [ ]

[ ]

42. [ ]

[ ]

43. [ ]

[ ]
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

5

Question H (Select as MANY as you think are correct.)

44. [ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

45. [ ]

46. [ ]

[ ]

47. [ ]

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48. [ ]

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49. [ ]

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50. [ ]

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51. [ ]

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52. [ ]

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53. [ ]

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END OF PROBLEM

Finding your score

Number of "Correct" answers you colored in = (1)___________

16 minus number of incorrect answers you colored in = (2)___________

Add blanks one and two to get your total score = (3)___________

Highest possible score = 53

Lowest possible score = 0
Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

Appendix C: Latent Image Answers

These pages contain the latent image answers that must be printed in the blanks of the 

answer sheet in Appendix B. These answers are spaced and sequenced correctly so

that they exactly match up with the appropriate blanks on the answer sheet blank.

Once the latent image ink answers have been printed in the answer sheet blanks, the 

special developing pen reveals the formerly invisible (latent image) printed message.

You may purchase preprinted answer sheets or you may prepare your own copies. To 

learn more about this option, and to determine how many answer sheets and special

pens you will need, see the introductory section of the Instructor's Copy.
1 Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

1

The foreman's knowledge and perceptions are important. Correct!

Correct! His knowledge and perceptions are important.

Correct! The co-workers may provide information that is useful for 

understanding the factors that contributed to this accident.

He was not involved in this accident.

Useful information can be obtained in this manner. Correct!

He has little knowledge and few facts about this situation.

John and the section EMT who treated his injury both say he was 

wearing a hard hat, hard toed boots, metatarsals, safety glasses and

heavy gloves. Correct!

You need to investigate the accident first, not the person. Prejudging 

the person can prevent finding all contributing factors.

Asking the right questions should proceed independent of 

personalities. You need to investigate the accident first, not the person.

Prejudging the person can prevent finding all contributing factors.
2 Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

2

Correct! John may feel this way, but safety and hazard recognition and 

corrective action is John's, and everyone's, responsibility when 

performing a task.

John should know the job and the hazards better than anyone. He has 

the responsibility to take the initiative to correct problems and ask for 

help when needed. Correct!

Correct! It is foolish to risk injury to himself simply because the boss 

failed to tell him to correct a hazard that he could have corrected 

himself.

John knew the hazards but did nothing to correct them. Some 

additional training may be helpful, but observing, coaching, frequent 

monitoring, reminders, and feedback from the foreman are also 

necessary.

You do not have enough information to determine all of the contributing

factors of the accident. Jumping to this conclusion may stop you from 

looking for additional causes.

One should never make this useless judgement. When this judgement

is made, people stop looking for contributing factors.

Saying "Be careful" does not demonstrate a serious concern for safety.

Actions speak louder than words.

Correct! This should prompt you to ask Bruce how he normally deals 

with hazards like this.

At the present time you do not have enough information to make your

report. Correct!

Training records must be examined before you make this judgment.

However, having a piece of paper in the file does not guarantee an

individual will perform as trained, or that adequate task training took 

place.
3 Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

3

Bruce needs to demonstrate by actions, and assist and direct his 

miners in correcting problems, not only by making speeches.

Bruce's actions speak much louder than his words. Correct!

John may need more supervision than some miners, and he may have

needed help in correcting the problem. Correct!

Correct! A good foreman monitors workers frequently, instructs, and 

follows up until he or she is confident the person will consistently 

perform the job in a safe manner.

Safe work habits require not only initial instruction , but also observing, 

coaching, frequent monitoring, reminders, and feedback.

Correct! Specific job assignments are needed so workers know what 

to do and who is to do it.

Data from this mine show that 15-20% of the total accidents involve

housekeeping as a contributing factor. The rate on this section is likely

to be higher than elsewhere if housekeeping is not improved. Correct!

Job assignments need to be specific and followed up if housekeeping

is to improve and accident rates are to decline. Correct!

Perhaps, but this is unlikely because the foreman needs to learn some 

basic supervisory skills in order to become more effective.

Correct! Bruce is not the only foreman who is responsible for this 

section.
4 Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

4

These observations may identify problems with tools, equipment, work 

procedures or John's failure to consider safety in performing tasks.

Correct!

This training can start John thinking about how he could have 

prevented those accidents and the type of thinking he must use in the 

future. This is a first step in getting John to accept personal 

responsibility for his own safety. Correct!

Disciplining an employee after an accident may be counter productive.

Monitoring and correcting work habits at the time they occur is more 

productive.

Correct! This might reveal a physical or medical condition which could 

have been a contributing factor in the accident.

If John is successful in this, it is a first step in helping him assume 

responsibility and prevent accidents to himself and others. Correct!

Correct! This would contribute to reducing John's accident risk.

Everyone tolerated this risky situation for a long time. Correct!

Correct! Specific job assignments with good follow-up by the foreman 

could improve this situation.

The hazard should have been corrected earlier and the walkway 

maintained. Correct!

Correct! Any worker on this section on any shift could have easily fixed 

the mud hole and prevented the accident.

Correct! A good plan would include specific assignments.

Attitude is very difficult to measure. This is a judgment on your part and is 

not factual.

Although he told his workers to "Be careful!", housekeeping was poor, 

and the mud hole remained for a week. Correct!

This attitude was self-destructive and dangerous to John and his 

co-workers. Correct!
5 Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident

5

Correct! The foreman should not assume the employees will

automatically think about the safety aspects of the job. He should 

instruct employees in recognizing and correcting hazards and monitor 

their performance.

Correct! Foremen must take action to eliminate unsafe situations.

This clearly teaches Bruce what to do so that his management and 

accident prevention skills can improve. Correct!

Correct! This is a good opportunity for them to make sure the 

procedures are current and up to date.

This is a first step in improving housekeeping. Follow-up means 

checking frequently, encouraging good performance, and correcting 

problems. Correct!

This should be used as a last resort to correct his work habits if other 

measures fail. Not correcting hazards is not acceptable.

Correct! A structured investigation for all lost time accidents is a good 

safety practice.

If you work him weekends, it would likely alienate him and could lead 

him to becoming a rebel. This will not teach him the skills he needs.

Correct! Good supervisors at all levels monitor performance and 

provide constructive feedback.

This is a good opportunity to present a real issue to everyone else in 

the mine. Correct!
Delivering on the Nation’s promise:

Safety and Health at Work 

For all people 

Through research and prevention

To receive other information about occupational safety and 

health problems, call

1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)

Fax: (513) 533-8573

Email: pubstaff@cdc.gov

Or visit the NIOSH web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 99-156

October 1999