Accidents

Investigation
Accident investigation is an essential part of managing health and safety. There is no explicit regulation requiring employers to investigate accidents, but certain regulations (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979) do imply that it is necessary to carry out an investigation following an accident.
An investigation will ensure that the employer gains an understanding of how and why things went wrong and make sure that the organisation is operating within the law. An investigation will also assist in preventing a similar event recurring.
There is also a requirement to record any discrepancy between the circumstances found by the subsequent investigation and those reported initially.
Investigation and review should take place for all accidents, reports of diseases, dangerous occurrences and near misses where deemed practicable.

1. Gather information.
2. Analyse the information.
3. Identify risk control measures.
4. Draw up and implement an action plan to prevent further similar occurrences.

Reporting
It is a legal requirement to report and/or record certain work related accidents under both health & safety and social security laws.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RlDDOR) require certain specified accidents and dangerous occurrences to be reported to the enforcing officer for the premises (this will be either the HSE or local Environmental Health Office).

The following must be reported:

• any fatality (to employees or non-employees)
• major injuries to employees
• major injuries to non-employees, which require the person to be taken directly to hospital for treatment .
• specified dangerous occurrences
• accidents causing more than three consecutive days' incapacity for work
  certain specified diseases
• certain events associated with the safe supply of gas.

All reportable accidents must be reported by the quickest means, ie telephone, fax or email, and followed up with form F2508 within 10 days. Over-three-day accidents and diseases should be reported on form F2508 as soon as possible.

Reportable accidents and incidents can be reported directly to the HSE's RlDDOR Incident Contact Centre.
By telephone: 0845 300 9923.
By fax: 0845 300 9924.
By e-mail: riddor@natbrit.com.

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