THE GROUP
The New Level Group provides services and professional consultancy operating in the public and private sectors both in the UK and internationally.
>> read moreFATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
New Level Safety was commissioned through an existing ‘Call Off’ contract to facilitate a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigation following a fatal accident. Our client was part of a joint venture (JV) having several specialist ships built at a ship yard in China. The accident happened to the shipyard workforce and the JV wanted to use Western expertise to assist and advise on appropriate remedial action.
The RCA Team was to consist of a member from each of the JV parties, with NLS representing one element and leading the investigation.
The NLS Operations Director is conversant with the RCA process used by the JV and therefore deemed to be the ideal person to go.
Notice was short – one week lead time – therefore existing appointments had to be re-arranged, visas, flights and accommodation booked and pre-start meetings conducted by tele-conference.
The Team assembled at the shipyard in China one week after the initial call and commenced the investigation; this involved interviewing contract personnel (via interpreters) reviewing documentation, systems and on-site inspections. All the information gleaned from the investigation was then assembled using a standard RCA process to identify the critical failure lines and root causes – in this case the lines lead back to management and communication failures.
NLS presented the initial finding to the President of the Shipbuilding Company together with other key directors and managers at a final meeting in China. On return to the UK the full report was drafted by NLS, sent round the Team for comment (by this time scattered around the world again) and the final report presented to our Client within a week of returning from location.
The Client has since used the RCA Report and recommendations as a basis for a senior level meeting of the JV Partners and the Shipyard Management with a view to improving health and safety standards within the Yard.