Wait (part II) – results of application in real accidents

The WAIT technique, proposed earlier in Part I (Jacinto and Aspinwall, 2003), is an accident investigation tool, which follows, in the main, Reason’s (1997) model of accident causation. The method comprises nine steps grouped into two main stages. The first is a simplified investigation process that covers legal reporting requirements and focuses on the analysis of immediate causes and circumstances, i.e., on the more ‘observable’ elements of the occurrence. There are 4 Steps in this basic investigation stage, as follows:

1. Collect information (a standard questionnaire is provided to assist in this step)
2. Identify all active failures (and their consequences or potential consequences)
3. Establish the applicable influencing factors (at the level of the local workplace)
4. Compare the findings with relevant risk assessment(s) – and amend them if necessary