We have just had a visit from the H&S Manager from a training company who is about to start an NVQ course for some of the younger members of staff. When asked why accidents were recorded in the accident book- her reply was "So we can put a claim in" During her induction it was explained the reason for reporting accidents. I think the phrase in one ear and out of the other applies here. Perhaps a little test at the end of the induction may focus the mind. Does anyone else do a questionnaire at the end of an induction? Andy

We used to administer a 15 question multiple choice test at the end of site inductions to try to ensure that the information was understood. This worked quite well and wasn't particularly time consuming. The worrying thing was the number of staff that failed to gain 100% shortly after being told the answers. Any employees/contractors that failed the test were made to resit the induction programme.

It's true. I remember the old style forms which were much closed to a DSS form - asking about dependants, hours worked, etc. I think what Accident Recording has been substantiated by with other Regulations, in terms of identifying trends for prevention etc., doesn’t bear out its origins. Conversely, if we are to think of the origins of H&S within industry the Factories Act 1802 (sometimes also called the "Health and Morals of Apprentices Act") which whilst regulating factory conditions, its particular force was to child workers in cotton and woolen mills. The act had the following provisions: - Factory owners must obey the law. - All factory rooms must be well ventilated and lime-washed twice a year. - Children must be supplied with two complete outfits of clothing. - Children between the ages of 9 and 13 can work maximum 8 hours. - Adolescents between 14 and 18 years old can work maximum 12 hours. - Children under 9 years old are not allowed to work but they must be enrolled in the elementary schools that factory owners are required to establish. - The work hours of children must begin after 6 a.m., end before 9 p.m., and not exceed 12 hours a day. - Children must be instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic for the first four years of work. - Male and female children must be housed in different sleeping quarters. - Children may not sleep more than two per bed. - On Sundays children are to have an hour's instruction in Christianity. - Factory owners are also required to tend to any infectious diseases. Although the Act came about through the hard efforts of reformers the issue wasn’t about the use or exploitation of child labour but the conditions they worked within. Thankfully reforms where gradual due to pressure caused by public out-cry to severe industrial accidents, workers collectivizing, or the Government responding to political movements in other countries Napoleonic Wars, Russian Revolution etc. Not sure where this was leading, but it is always nice to write something about the social origins of Health & Safety.

Have I got this right - she is a HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER? I think I would be asking myself if this is the kind of person / organisation I would want in my workplace and inluencing young employees, and would be looking for an alternative provider sharpest. (Apologies in advance if I have read this wrong and thus got the wrong end of the stick).

Doh, As I thought my mistake!!

Depends whose taking that view; I've had comments from our risk and insurance manager because of comments and actions made of accident forms. For example, if an employee slipped on a wet floor and the action noted by the line manager was to purchase more signs and to clean the floors outside office hours, the comment was made that we're admitting fault and a claim could be made against the employer. I see that view but as safety professionals it's our job to encourage others to revise and review their safety management systems.