The HSE produced a workbook "Investigating accidents and incidents" see http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsg245.pdf.
Page 13 covers "the decision to investigate" and gives guidance on who should be involved.

Whether an investigation report could be used in court depends on the quality of the evidence collected at the time. In any case the court (or the legal eagles) would expect the original witnesses to give their evidence and be cross examined.

A comprehensive investigation report identifies the root cause(s) and hopefully prevents a repeat. It also helps the insurers decide whether to defend a claim in court or just to open their cheque book.

Be cautious when it comes to investigating incidents that have resulted in damage to health, particularly where chemicals are concerned. This is one aspect of 'accident' investigation where specialised knowledge is needed. It is all too easy to come up with an incorrect answer. I have had several situations where the conclusion of the investigation by the employer's health and safety advisor was that the skin disease was occupational (even with a confirmatory diagnosis from the dermatologist). When investigated again (as part of the disease management strategy) it became apparent that the true cause was actually non-occupational.
Chris

Hi,

IOSH no longer offer the 4 day professional development course - they do not offer any professional development courses. However, if you are interested I can send you contact details of the company that used to provide such training.

Please remember as well that as far as I am aware, the results of any accident investigation are fully disclosable in court, unless your solicitor has specifically requested you carry one out when it then becomes privilege (unless anyone knows any different?)

Folks,

The following course at HSL is an absolute gem and well worth the money:

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/he...incident-investigations-

I'd recommend it for all accident investigators who work in all but the simplest environments.

RGC

Matelot:
You're quite right that there's no formal requirement to do an accident investigation course, and workplace experience is extremely valuable, but there's more to accident investigation than just that - especially if the accident is likely to lead to court proceedings.

First, the HSE investigation model is based on the assumption that accidents are normally caused by management failures - so an HSE investigator is trained to look at whether there's sufficient evidence of management failure to justify charges.

Second, if the HSE allege a breach of s(2) or s(3) HSW74 then it shall be for the employer to prove that he's innocent, i.e. he had done all so far as reasonably practicable to avoid the accident (as laid down in s(40) HSW74). It won't be sufficient just to challenge the HSE evidence - the employer will need to put his own defence case together.

Third, to put together an acceptable case (bearing in mind that an English criminal trial is adversarial) you need to understand topics such as (and given in no particular order of importance):
- how to interview witnesses
- how to take statements
- how to collect and preserve evidence
- how to maintain the "chain of evidence"
- theories of accident causation
- etc ...

To put the above comments into context the Lead Accident Investigator Certificate course from the Institute of Industrial Accident Investigators (which I hold as a Member) involves an on-line Foundation Unit and then a further 3 days of classroom training followed by a stringent written exam.

The syllabus doesn't include health & safety management systems because the focus is on investigation techniques.

Hi Matelot,
Many thanks for your comment which is appreciated - although I have to say it's not so much a case of "superior" knowledge but more a case of just having a specialist interest in the subject of accident investigation :0)

It also helps that in a previous existence I worked as a specialist investigator both with HM Customs & Excise (drug smuggling; international fraud; counterfeit goods) and the then No7 Regional Crime Squad (money laundering; proceeds of crime recovery). So I've acted as prosecutor, seen trials in action, and have an insight into how the investigator's mind works.

I can't decide if I'm a poacher turned gamekeeper or the other way round! :0)

Hi,

I attended this accident investigation & evidence gathering course (which used to be part of the IOSH CPD offering but is no longer) and found it to be excellent. Take a look at their website:

http://www.kinaston.com/index2.html