Improving the investigation and learning of occupational accidents in Denmark – some important barriers

This paper reports some results of a study on the accident investigation practices of the Danish Working Environment Authority (DWEA). One of the main findings is that the current authority response primarily is framed in a context of legal procedure and inspection agency enforcement work. A major objective of an accident investigation visit by a DWEA inspector is to identify specific violations of the Danish Working Environment Act and to establish sufficient factual basis for the appropriate judicial punitive responses (citations, orders and penalties). It is also an objective to develop and support the company's capacity to investigate and learn from own accidents. This second objective regarding learning can be difficult to achieve however. The general atmosphere at the visit may not support an open exchange of information and be conducive to learning, given the prospect that disclosure on the part of the company may perceived as potential self-incrimination.