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Posted By Lorraine Shuker
A by product of heightened H&S awareness is an increase in reported accidents which we all know is a good thing.
However I am also getting 'accidents' reported which are more accurately sudden onset of or severe symptoms of illness.
For example
#breathing difficulties caused by chest infection
#chest pains that turned out to be pulled muscle (not sustained in work)
#panic attack from swollen throat caused by blocked saliva glands
Question is this should they be recorded as accidents for reporting purposes.
What are your thoughts?
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Posted By Barry Cooper
Lorraine
Following an investigation, if the "illness" is not cause by the company's undertaking, then I would make a note of it in the accident book, but not as an accident of illness at work.
Barry
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Posted By Lorraine Shuker
Thanks Barry ~ this is my opinion as well.
Just wanted to know if other people have this issue and whether they would include it in the figures for numbers of accidents
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Posted By Steve Langston
Hi Lorraine,
Working for a local authority we have a large number of these type of incidents. I advise first aiders to record them in the accident book if they have provided first aid.
From a statistics point of view they are recorded as "persons own medical condition". This way I am able to identify / analyse what first aid treatment is being provided.
Issues covered under this category would include asthma attacks, nose bleeds, dizziness, nausea, epileptic fit, re-opening of old wounds etc.
I also include a seperate category for "sports related" these being people injured at leisure centres. For instance a person injured on the football field when tackled, a pulled muscle when exercising etc.
I have experience of a person who fainted and broke her nose during an exercise class, however, 2 years later we had a claim form stating she tripped over an uneven surface outside. The accident form that was completed at the time, (and signed by her), was useful evidence to dismiss the case at a very early stage!
Hope this helps
Steve
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Posted By Mark Talbot
I agree with Steve. It is always good to know what is happening on site, but you don't want to include them in your H&S stats as work related if they are not.
One point though, do not dismiss medical conditions as unrelated to work. There may be a cause if you see a trend developing.
Even if unrelated, they may influence your risk assessments if you find someone prone to fainting episodes when crossing the loading bay, etc.,
So record them, keep the records, and keep them in mind.
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Posted By Carrie Ellerby
Lorraine,
I would definitely keep a record of them somewhere and, depending on the type of work you do and what substances you work with, carry out an investigation. Such instances can be an indicator of something wrong on site.
Recently happened to us and we found that one of our paint plants had been leaking slight isocyante gases into the rest of the work area. HSE involved, etc. and we pulled out the accident reports and investigation sheets to show them what was done.
Carrie
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