DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
EP
385-1-40
US Army Corps
of
Engineers
CESO-S
Washington, DC 20314
Pamphlet
No. 385-1-40
31
May
1991
Safety and Occupational Health
BOARDS OF INVESTIGATION
1.
Purpose. This pamphlet provides guidance on appointing and conducting boards
of
investigation and preparing board reports. By the proper use
of
this pamphlet,
accident investigators will be able to conduct effective accident investigations
promoting the best possible standards for the safety and health of Corps
of
Engineers
activities. The actions specified in this pamphlet are required by
AR
385-40 and
USACE Supplement 1 to
AR
385-40.
2.
Applicability. This pamphlet is applicable to HQUSACE/OCE elements, major
subordinate commands, districts, laboratories, and field operating activities (FOA).
3.
Reference. USACE Supplement 1
to
AR
385-40.
4.
Scope. Boards
of
investigation are in-depth inquiries into and analyses of the
events preceding, during, and immediately following the occurrence of a serious
accident
to
determine the causes and contributing factors
of
the accident - the who,
what, when, where, why, and how. By identifying and analyzing the causes and
contributing factors of an accident we increase our knowledge of the unsafe and
unhealthful conditions and practices which lead
to
accidents. This gives us the ability
to
control similar hazards, prevent the occurrence of similar accidents, and improve the
safety and health conditions and practices of Corps activities. It is important
to
note
that boards are not undertaken
to
assign blame
or
determine punitive actions for an
accident. Due to the extensive nature of boards
of
investigation, they are reserved for
serious accidents resulting in
a.
a fatal injury;
b.
a permanent total disability;
c.
a permanent partial disability;
...
. _,
d.
hospitalization of
fi.vS"
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/.~~~pie;
or
e.
property damage
of
$50;000- or more.
In
addition, a board of investigation will be conducted for any accident which a
commander, at any level, determines that a board investigation is warranted due
to
the
complexity of the accident
or
its potential for negative impact on the Corps.
5.
Responsibilities.
a.
Commanders of USAGE commands which incur a serious accident are
responsible for
