Can anyone advise me if, or where, the definitions of Accident, Incident and Near Misses are laid down in UK H&S legislation? Many thanks.

There is a detailed list with explanations in the RIDDOR 2012 Approved Code of Parctice (ACOP) L73 which you can download in PDF format from the HSE website. Regards Clive

Hello there, definitions of those terms wont be found in H&S legislation - they are whatever the company in question wich them to be. We work on a lot of different sites for different companies and the definitions vary wildy - especially Near Miss. For what its worth, my interpretation for use on our own site is; Near Miss - Something unintended has happened but no-one was hurt, such as you trip in a pot-hole but catch yourself and aren't hurt. (some would say the pot hole was a near miss, or a near miss condition but I would say it was simply a hazard). Accident - Someone is hurt. Incident - Something is damaged. Hope this helps. Steve

Whilst Steve is generally correct, some H&S legislation does define these. SI 2012 No 1743 defines "accident" and "incident" in Reg 3. Definitions extend to "very serious" and "serious". A "near miss" is not defined, but is implied in Reg 3(d) where an "incident is an event or sequence of events .. that endangered, or if not corrected would endanger.." http://www.legislation.g.../2012/1743/contents/made You will note only last year so this is not ancient legislation!!

I am impressed Colin! And on a Friday :) You learn something new every day! That said - it's an odd place to define it - I would never have read those regulations unless you had linked to them!

And it is a pain. As a shore based example (so not covered in these regs) consider starting your car and driving off. If you did not turn the wheel you would have a crash. In other words, you have not "corrected" so this is an incident. Under these regulations this is reportable .... Totally illogical and pressure is being put on the UK government to recind or amend this wording!

Dor our internal reporting system, we have the following categorisation of Health, Safety, Security & Environmental (HSSE) Events Potential Hazard:- A hazard has been identified Near Miss:- An “event” has occurred but nobody has been injured and no equipment has been damaged. Incident:-An event has occurred and there has been damage to equipment or a spill has gone beyond the point at which material can be recovered. Accident:-An event has occurred and somebody has been injured. Accidents are further classified into four:- First Aid, Medical Treatment, Restricted Work & Lost time