Kenny, Whilst in a previous employment with a very large organisation we had the following system in place: 1. Any accident could be recorded in the BI510 as it's primary purpose is to allow employees to record such incidents. 2. All, & I mean all, accident reports that were subsequently generated were investigated, even if this meant visiting the IP at home - fully supported by the Unions by the way 3. Following the investigation, the accident was recorded as either "Information Only", i.e. "nothing untoward had occurred", or for statistical purposes & these were the ones that went forward to senior management, etc. I am not sure if this would help you, but it worked for us & also greatly reduced spurious reports & ensuing claims! Zyggy

In the first case I'd be inclined to agree that this is not an accident as it's not what you'd call a work activity. Second one though is a different kettle of fish. In the industry I'm in a large proportion of out STF injuries are as a result of climbing in and out of vehicles. From the brief description and the fact it was reported makes it something that I'd expect to be reported regardless of the level of injury. The other thing I'd suggest is that if people are reporting these types of event then it's to be applauded rather than punished. A reporting culture is important to ensure that the SMS works effectively. If this is a case of using accident reporting stats (rather than severity) as a negative indicator then it's a slippery slope and you rightly fear the instigation of a culture of under reporting. Better to have everything reported than nothing. The other consideration could be that such events could be classed as near misses/close call, etc, but regardless of the categorisation being able to demonstrate that everything is reported is essential. It may be useful to consider how events are classified, so an accident is an unplanned event that results in injury, damage or loss. In the case where someone has got out of a vehicle and hurt their leg this would be an injury even if it is an aggrevation of a pre-existing condition. The key thing is did the event cause or exhaserbate an injury? If it did then it's an accident, regardless of severity. Just on the topic of the second case, you say that it couldn't be avoided. I'd be inclined to ask why not and how it could be prevented from happening again, because the next time such an event could result in a STF and further injury. In terms of avoidance there's a dead easy one to consider, why did she have to leave the vehicle backwards? If she'd left the vehicle facing forwards she'd have seen the difference in level between the vehicle and the ground and the accident, in all likelhood prevented. The other element to be considered would be suitability of footwear and if that could have prevented the minor injury.

The forbidden term 'common sense' comes into play here I think. The first one, I wouldnt even record, as Brian states if it wasnt influenced by work activities then its not work related. If you were in a restaurant and slipped, tripped or fell etc, you would expect the owner to record as well they should. If you go up to the same owner and say you felt a pain in your neck, through no fault of theirs, but whilst in his/her establishment and you wish it to be entered into the accident book, I think I know what answer you'd get. The second one, potentially yes. I have a related question, if someone suffers from diabetes and has an incident at work, whereby they are in a meeting and start having symptoms of shock, (slurred speech, drowsiness etc) an ambulance is called and treatment is given, should this go into the accident book? It wasnt an accident by definition and there werent any contributing work related factors. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks,

Kenny Personally I would record any injury within the work environment in the company accident book, this is to ensure I am compliant with Social Security (Claims & Payments) Regulations. It is then down to you to decide whether it needs to be investigated as a work place accident. Think what RIDDOR stands for - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. The second word gives the clue - Injuries. I don't really understand why there is such resistance in recording injuries, it does not make you liable, it merely records that someone has sustained an injury whilst in the work place.