Posted By GARYS
Advice needed. (Apologises in advance for it being so long winded)

When I joined my current employer just over a year ago I was surprised to find that all accident investigations were completed by the Union appointed H&S reps and not the Line Manager, especially as not all department and areas have/had reps. After looking into the matter it was very much something which had been "dumped" on the reps as the supervisors "didn't have the time".

I was not happy with this agreement and after organising IOSH Supervising Safety Training for all 30 line managers and Reps and internal and external Accident investigation training, I implemented a new investigation policy with new paperwork which meant the supervisors had to complete all accident investigations but communicate with the reps their findings. The rep's still investigated any RIDDOR reportable accidents but they were not pleased with this new agreement, as it was something being taken away from them. As a Food manufacturer we are no different from most and have a bit of a "claims culture" with a large majority of them coming through the appointed union soliticors. Although we still have claims coming through, there has been a noticeable drop, I was approached by a rep who informed me that previously H&S reps had been encouraged to assist in claims management for the union and that they might have had conflicting interested when completing the investigation forms. I held a meeting with the reps and the regional organiser who reassured me this wasn't the case, and I have no reason to believe any different.

The problem I have now is that a couple of the stall we say "louder" reps are throwing the Safety Reps & Safety Committees regulations at me quoting Reg 4, right to "examine" (not investigate)the causes of accidents at the workplace, stating that it is the "god given right" to investigate all accidents not only RIDDOR reportables, I have tried to explain that I believe the current systems works and that the findings are always communicated with them before being past on to me, but they are still not happy.

Before I joined the company the Reps completed investigations, were released once a 1/4 and all 13 reps were released for a week to complete a site inspection, they are now involved in projects, are released on a weekly basis for 4 hours,reviwe risk assessments, still completed area inspection but now on a monthly basis and still complete investigations for RIDDOR's.

Can anyone help with a practical solution with regards to accident investigations, I am being unreasonable, have I read the regs wrong and yes Reps should investigate all accidents??

Posted By Raymond Rapp
Gary

I should say if your version of events are true that you are being very generous and are quite correct in your stance.

Retrospectively, the TU H&S Reps should not have been allowed to complete accident inve3stigations and are only entitled to participate if it is a RIDDOR accident. I dread to think of your company liability if it was ever found out!

I can understand why some may be getting a bit 'upperty' because the time off and the general interest factor. They will get over it in time.

Ray