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fatality/company policy/employees back to work or go home?
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Posted By jom
Do companies have policies on how to manage employees in a workplace (large) where a fatality has occurred?
Is work shut down? People sent off site? Sent home?
Just a question to get a general feel of company policies.
John.
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
John
This is only a partial response to your enquiry. An effective risk management policy should include assessment of risk of traumatic stress to employees exposed to a fatality at work.
As a qualified counsellor and chartered psychologist, I have been involved in assisting employers and employees to both initiate and document an appropriate process of risk assessment and provide trauma reduction services to contain 'post-traumatic stress disorder' on the part of some employees exposed to a fatality at work. Failure to do both could generate complicated and expensive difficulties later in some circustances.
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Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney
Completely agree with Kieran, there was a fatality on a clients premises whilst I was sat there quoting them for future services. As you would imagine with the civil/criminal aspects there is still a long way to go.
I did arrange for all concerned to have proper councilling but was unable to shut the site as in part it was open to the public; of course the scene was cordoned off and remained undisturbed. As to sending the workforce home should be an individual decision, if that’s how you would assess the situation and take that response then that is completely up to you. I would have to say aside from all the legal ramifications directly related to any investigation, (EHO, HSE, Insurers etc) the council ling is an incredibly important issue and one that will in the end be the most suitable course of immediate action to take.
Good luck over the coming months or years, it takes a long time to complete.
Charles
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Posted By Nikki Browett
This is a really difficult question and I don't think there is a uniform answer.
Firstly, as an ex-inspector I'd say that a fatality is one of the few circumstances where an inspector will attempt to get on site asap. They will want to talk to relevant persons, witnesses etc if possible. The circumstances of the fatality will also determine whether work can continue. Plant may need to be put out of action until an investigation has been completed for example.
Secondly, every person will be different. Some people may want to go home, others may want to carry on working to keep themselves busy.
Thirdly, it depends on the business. Shutting dowm may be a luxury the company cannot afford.
I would congratulate you on having the wisdom to put in place some sort of procedure in such terrible circumstances but you may find that you can only consider such a situation in relation to it's unique circumstances.
The best advice is to put your efforts into not having a fatality at all!
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
This may appear on first reading to be 'nerdy' but it can have important implications.
Research (mainly in the USA and Norway) into psychological interventions about traumatic incidents indicated that, generally, only particular forms of 'counselling' are as effective as one would wish. The generic expression for appropriate intervention is known as 'trauma reduction', where the process is designed to enable the person regain a healthy sense of physical and psychological balance, and to mentally take-on-board the shock experienced as part of a 'new sense of normality'.
A counsellor working in accordance with an approved code of practice should/would know to what extent his/her approach is appropriate for supporting an employee get back to normal after exposure to a fatality or other workplace trauma, such as severe assault or (even brief) unexpected incarceration in a store room.
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Posted By R Joe
John
the Centre for Crisis Psychology are worth talking to about this. They provide a range of services and publications including one called 'After a Traumatic Incident - A Manager's Guide'. They are at Skipton on 01756 796383. From experience, this is definitely something to try to plan for, as far as this is possible, in the event of the worst happening. It can make a huge difference on a number of levels. Hope this helps.
Regards RJ
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Posted By steven bentham
In my experience of attending such fatal accidents; after the SOCO team has done its bit the inspectors may need assistance to recover certain items or move machines/plant. Machines or plant may need to be moved to recover a body. After inspectors have done their bit, they usually suggest that staff are sent home and support is organised.
Staff and managers will not be in a fit state to carry on working.
Further investigations may involve detailed statement taking. You will then have the family to deal with.
If you have a 'high' risk work occupation the last thing you need is the staff put back to work until they are fit to undertake that work safely.
I am not sure you need an actual policy on this; for what its worth I would suggest you talk this through with the Inspectors (hopefully you'll never have to do this for real).
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