CQUniversity Unit Profile
AINV12002 Accident Phenomenology
Accident Phenomenology
All details in this unit profile for AINV12002 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will provide students with the basis for explaining the evolution of accident investigation methods and practice. On completion, students will be able to explain the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of key theoretical accident causation models and apply the models to accident scenarios.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2026

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 10%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Observation

Feedback

Students performed well and remained engaged over the term.

Recommendation

Continue to maintain good student contact and interesting lectures.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Analyse the evolution of accident investigation methods and practice.
  2. Use accident causation models to establish accident causation factors.
  3. Apply accident causation models to contemporary accident case studies.
  4. Evaluate the application and effectiveness of accident causation models.
  5. Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to accident phenomenology.
  6. Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the intermediate practitioner.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - Written Assessment - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - First Nations Knowledges
11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - Written Assessment - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Elise Crawford Unit Coordinator
e.crawford@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Introduction and Unit Overview 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tip: Review the entire Moodle site to ensure you know where everything is including the assessment submission area.

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

The Accident Phenomenon

 

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz No. 1 Opens on Monday

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

The Accident Phenomenon

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Link to the OHS Body of Knowledge

Quiz No. 2 Opens on Monday

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Evolution of Accident Investigation and Prevention

Chapter

OHS BoK 38.3 Ethics and Professional
Practice 

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Ethical Practice

 

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Heinrich's Domino Theory

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Applying Heinrich's Domino Theory to a major accident

 

Online Quiz 1 Due: Week 5 Tuesday (7 April 2026) 9:00 am AEST

 

Week 6 Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

The Haddon Matrix

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Applying the Haddon Matrix to a major accident

 

Online Quiz 2 Due: Week 6 Tuesday (14 April 2026) 9:00 am AEST

Vacation Week Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Reason's System Safety Management Model

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Applying Reason's System Safety model to a major accident.

 


Accident Prevention Paper Due: Week 7 Monday (27 Apr 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2026

Module/Topic

Viner's Extended Energy Damage Model and Time Sequence Model

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Applying Viner's models to a major accident

 

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2026

Module/Topic

The Tapestry of Failure

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2026

Module/Topic

Learning from Failure and Corrective Actions

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial: Case Study Assignment

 


Reflective Position Paper Due: Week 10 Monday (18 May 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2026

Module/Topic

Safety II and the Accident Phenomenon

Chapter

See e-Reading List via Moodle

 

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

 

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Independent Study

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case Study Report Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation/Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Permission to use Generative AI is given for limited purposes, please see the 'Permission to Use AI' sheet on the Moodle site. Please refer to the CQUniversity guideline on AI Awareness for Academic Integrity as it relates to plagiarism.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz (zes)

Task Description

You are required to complete two online discussion Quizzes in Moodle covering material related to the evolution of accident investigation methods and practice. Responses should be presented in paragraph format between 100 to 150 words. There are no additional submission requirements for this assessment as your response to the discussion quiz will be graded online. This Quizzes are as follows:


Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.


 


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Quiz 1 - Week 5, Tuesday 7 April 2026 - 9.00am AEST; Quiz 2 - Week 6, Tuesday 14 April 2026 - 9.00am AEST


Return Date to Students

Two weeks following due date


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

The two quizzes relate to material in Moodle relating to the evolution of accident investigation methods, drawn from material presented in weeks two to five. Responses should be presented in paragraph format between 100 to 150 words. At least one reference is expected. Please follow the referencing style guidelines for CQUniversity's Harvard Referencing Style. Grades will be applied based on critical thought, and accuracy. Please note that the two quizzes are on separate weeks, as follows:

Quiz Title Opens Closes Day Due Time Due Based on Weekly Information AI Usage (Perkins, Furze, Roe & MacVaugh 2024)
Evaluation of Accident Investigation Methods, Quiz No. 1 Week 2 Week 5 Tuesday 9:00 am QLD time Weeks 2 to 4 Level 2 - For planning, idea development, and research.
Evaluation of Accident Investigation Methods, Quiz No. 2 Week 3 Week 6 Tuesday 9:00 am QLD time Weeks 3 to 5 Level 2 - For planning, idea development, and research.

NOTE: Due to the nature of Quizzes, there is no 72-hour grace period afforded for submission.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Quiz responses to be submitted in the relevant area in Moodle in paragraph format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to accident phenomenology.
  • Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the intermediate practitioner.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Accident Prevention Paper

Task Description

Your task is to write a short 'critical thinking' paper positing a point of view that explains why accidents are still occurring after more than 100 years of 'modern' approaches to accident prevention.

 

Your paper should be a maximum of 600 words and your argument should be supported by a minimum of SIX appropriate and reputable sources and citations from the literature.

 

A list of references used should be included at the end of your paper.


Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.


NOTE: There is a 72-hour grace period afforded for late submission.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (27 Apr 2026) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (11 May 2026)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 50% in this assignment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

  1. Provides a viewpoint on why accidents are still occurring after more than a 100 years of 'modern' approaches to accident prevention and draws from the information covered in the unit (10 marks)
  2. A logical argument is presented (4 marks)
  3. Grammar and spelling are consistently accurate (3 marks)
  4. References -Includes a reference list that is accurately referenced according to CQUniversity Harvard Referencing style (3 marks)
  5. Appendix - Statement of GenAI use

A detailed marking matrix is provided in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please submit your document in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse the evolution of accident investigation methods and practice.
  • Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to accident phenomenology.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Reflective Position Paper

Task Description

The case study for this assignment is provided by your lecturer and located in Moodle.

This assessment task has three parts, as follows:

PART A: Select ONE accident model from the list below to analyse the set case study.

From the list below, choose ONE accident causation model:

  • Heinrich’s Domino Theory
  • Haddon Matrix
  • Reason System Safety Management Model
  • Time Sequence Model
  • Extended Energy Damage Model
  • FRAM
  • CAST

PART B: Select TWO case elements from the list below to be analysed using your chosen accident model (per Part A). Critically reflect on the effectiveness of your chosen accident model regarding accident causation of the two elements chosen for analysis. As you reflect on the results of your analysis, consider the theoretical underpinnings of your chosen accident model and identify its shortcomings.

From the list below, choose TWO case elements:

  • Technology Systems
  • Human Factors
  • Social and organisational networks, including management and supervision
  • Education & Training
  • Culture

PART C: Based on your analysis for Part B, critically reflect on the model's (per Part A) effectiveness and limitations for:

  • Addressing the two chosen elements chosen (per Part B), 
  • Establishing corrective, remedial and preventative actions, and
  • Learning from failure in general.

Based on these critical reflections, conclude by suggesting alternative approaches.

Other considerations:

  • Your reflective position paper should be limited to 1200 words maximum and be supported by relevant citations (minimum of 8) from the literature.
  • A 'critical' reflection draws on the scientific literature to support ideas and considerations. Therefore, your reflective position paper is to include citations and a reference list.

Your paper MUST be written in the third person.


Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.


NOTE: There is a 72-hour grace period afforded for late submission.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (18 May 2026) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Monday (1 June 2026)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must achieve a minimim grade of 50% in this assignment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

The following assessment criteria will apply:

  1. Critically reflects on the model's effectiveness in addressing accident causation for the two chosen elements (6 marks)
  2. Critically reflects on the model's guidance on applying corrective, remedial and preventative actions (4 marks)
  3. Critically reflects on the model's usefulness in learning from failure (2 marks)
  4. Concludes by suggesting alternative approaches (4 marks)
  5. Grammar and spelling are consistently accurate (2 marks)
  6. References—includes the provision of a reference list and accurate application of the CQU Harvard style for referencing information, data, tables or images sourced for the assignment (2 marks)
  7. Appendix - Statement of GenAI use

A detailed marking matrix is provided in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please submit your document in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Use accident causation models to establish accident causation factors.
  • Apply accident causation models to contemporary accident case studies.
  • Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the intermediate practitioner.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

4 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Case Study Report

Task Description

This assessment task has three parts.

 

In this assessment task you will use an accident case study provided by your lecturer (in Moodle) to evaluate the effectiveness of TWO selected theoretical accident causation models in explaining the failures which occurred in the case study.

 

Part A

Select two theoretical accident models (different to that chosen for Assessment Task Three) from the following list:

  • Heinrich’s Domino Theory
  • Haddon Matrix
  • Reason System of Safety Management Model T
  • Time Sequence Model
  • Extended Energy Damage Model

Part B

Populate the models with the critical factors from the case study provided by the lecturer (in Moodle) to explain, in the language of the models, the failures which occurred in the accident. A template will be provided in Moodle, or you can choose your own.

 

Part C

You will then prepare a written report to explain:

  1. The reasons why the particular models were chosen
  2. The key characteristics of the models
  3. How well the models enabled explanation of the accident phenomena (the tapestry of failures which led to the accident)
  4. The perceived strengths and weaknesses of the chosen models in describing the accident phenomenon

Your report should not exceed 2000 words. It should be supported by relevant citations (minimum of 10) from the literature. Your report MUST be written in the third person.


Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.


NOTE: There is a 72-hour grace period afforded for late submission.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must achieve a minimim grade of 50% in this assignment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

  1. Selects two theoretical accident models and populates them with both the critical factors from the case study provided by the lecturer and explains, in the language of the model, the failures which occurred in the accident (10 marks)
  2. Evaluates how well the theoretical models enabled explanation of the accident phenomena in the case study (10 marks)
  3. Report explains the reasons why the particular models were chosen, the key characteristics of the models, the tapestry of failures which led to the accident case study, as evidenced by the application of the chosen accident models; and the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the chosen models in describing the accident phenomenon (15 marks)
  4. A logical argument is presented (5 marks)
  5. Grammar and spelling are consistently accurate (5 marks)
  6. References—includes the provision of a reference list and the application of the Harvard style for referencing information, data, tables or images sourced for the assignment (5 marks)
  7. Appendix - Statement of GenAI use

A detailed marking matrix will be provided in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please submit your document in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse the evolution of accident investigation methods and practice.
  • Use accident causation models to establish accident causation factors.
  • Apply accident causation models to contemporary accident case studies.
  • Evaluate the application and effectiveness of accident causation models.
  • Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to accident phenomenology.
  • Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the intermediate practitioner.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?