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Posted By Emyr Evans
We EHS professionals love this topic don't we.
Different slant on issues:
I have always reported all accidents that I understood to be required to be reported under RIDDOR - the guidelines are quite simple, and definitely simpler than the OSHA defined Notifiable Accidents in the USA.
My advice to border-line cases is normally to report - since in all reality the HSE will not actually investigate the reported accident. I do not have any facts on the %age of number reported to number investigated, but I would have thought that this number will be less than 20%.
I've been involved in some major injury investigations during the last few years, (including one where the injured person was in hospital for nearly 4 months) and the HSE were either indifferent, passive or content with a copy of our internal accident report.
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Posted By garyh
The "if in doubt report" advice sounds OK on the face of it however if you work in an organisation where all "reportable" incidents have to be reported as part of the "KPIs" this is not a good idea.
Trying to explain to a senior Manager or even CEO that you reported "just to be on the safe side" is not a comfortable experience. In addition, safety performance (rightly or wrongly) is often measured by the number of "reportable incidents". It is essential that performance is measured by the same criteria.
Therefore, I would always go by the letter (and spirit) of the RIDDOR regs; if in doubt DONT report.
Either way, I would always document why I did or did not report (eg on the accident investigation form, or attached to it).
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Posted By Crim
Emyr,
Don't believe the HSE don't investigate reported accidents!
I work in construction and know of at least 2 reported accidents last year which were followed up by HSE inspectors. One was on a site in London and the other in the Irish Republic. HSA inspector investigated that one.
I'm not suggesting you don't report, I think all accidents should be reported, but ensure the necessary investigation has been carried out before HSE call around.
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Posted By andrew morris
Just a quick note - "not wanting to tell the CEO or MD that you reported it to be on the safe side", better that than a judge when YOU are on the stand rather than the company as YOU as the responsible person took the decision not to report something the enforcing authority deems to be reportable. Always report if you aren't sure - the Enf Authority will decide if was worth it or not.
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Posted By Dave B
If I have any doubts about 'reporting or not reporting' I phone the HSE Info line, give them the facts and leave them to decide.I get the name of the Inspector giving the advice for future reference.
No problem
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Posted By Jim Walker
When I worked elsewhere (manufacturing) I was firmly in the "if in doubt report" camp.
Now I see things differently; I'm involved in a tender (£6M) at the moment. And like all our tenders, the client wants to know how many "Riddors" we have had going back five years. Too many colleague's livelihoods riding on the question to be flippant.
As for asking HSE helpline - I'm not at all confident that the folks at the other end have more than minimal training in the subject.
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Posted By Stephen Mitchell
A very valid reply Crim,
I work in the Manufacturing/Engineering industry and in the past have had two RIDDORS followed by telephone calls from an HSE inspector; one of which resulted in a site visit by the HSE and a thorough look at the accident investigation.
So whilst I also would never suggest that a person should under report, I will recommend ensuring that any internal investigation is as thorough as is warranted/required, because a friendly HSE phone call and/or visit may follow.
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