Am I the only person that has noticed that if an ambulance is called to the workplace then they are invariably accompanied by the police? In one recent example the police arrived and immediately contacted the Health and Safety Enforcement Agency (in this case the local authority), although the accident was not reportable. This has led to an enthusiastic investigation by the enforcement agency regardless of the minor injury and the fact that this was not a reportable incident. If this is happening on a routine basis then the Police are effectively side stepping RIDDOR and introducing a new category of reportable accident, that is if an ambulance is called then the authorities are informed immediately. My understanding is that the Police have no jurisdiction over workplace accidents and are not required to attend. I'm of the belief that we should object to this development if indeed it is widespread as I suspect. Am I alone in this experience?

At my last employer we had a police visit when both the ambulance and fire services were called, both for different incidents. The incident where the ambulance was involved wasn't even an accident; an employee was taken ill with a pre existing condition. The HSE were not contacted by the police on any occasion. We also had an occasion where the local hospital called the fire service to report a chemical spillage at our site. An employee had damaged a consignment of acetone and had somehow got this on his lips. He was sent to hospital as a precaution, where he was stripped, washed and had his clothes incinerated. The receptacle was 1 litre and the affected area was cleaned and washed. Everything was then put into a hazchem waste container. The FS closed the estate, had three tenders there and decided, after an hour, that they were not needed.

Excellent postings to date; and it shows that various government departments are working together - The police arriving on site will turn a directors head more than anything else The more 'pips on the shoulder' that are present indicates the importance the police have given the incident and yes the word 'crime' does apply noting that most directors etc do not give H&S crimes a second thought unless the police are present! Good practice I think

I see no problem with this situation as the 999 call is monitored by the police as a routine issue. They attend and can quite quickly identify if there has been any criminal action that caused or contributed to the incident. If there is no evidence to suggest that a crime may have been committed they will withdraw often after speaking to a senior person of the company mainly to confirm thier view. As to contacting the local enforcement authority (whoever they may be) is seen as a routine matter. The fact it makes sure that senior management are made aware of the occurrence and take its investigation more seriously can only be a good thing.

Ray, since they appear to be monitoring 999 calls, they probably make an initial judgement on that. In our case the injury was severe. The Police do not have to confine their interests to fatalities.

Very many years ago I provided first aid to a member of the public and then went home once the ambulance personnel had taken charge. I was woken up in the middle of the night to be informally interviewed by the police. They told me then that they always respond to 999 calls unless they are sure that there is no possibility of a crime. I don't know whether this still holds true. Sadly it was a fatal heart attack as I later read in a local paper.

I have very recent experience of this in connection with an accident on the public highway. Ambulance called. Police attended scene before arrival of ambulance. HSE informed (by the Police?). I have no problem with this, all parties were professional, proportionate, and my overall impression of how we all worked together was very positive.

excellent points made above so I won't repeat those but just one point to clarify. The Police don't monitor the 999 system in the way that has been suggested. However if you dial 999 and ask for Fire or Ambulance the relevant controller will make decision as to whether other emergency services need to be involved. For instance if you call to report an Road Traffic Collision (RTC) and ask for an ambulance the police will always be asked to respond as well. If there appears to be a serious injury incident than again police will often be asked by Ambo to respond. With the new Airwaves comms system all three services (and others when required) can actually talk to each other without having to go through the different control rooms so communication between services, whilst far from perfect is now much better. Personally, I don't see the problem with plod arriving at the site provided the response from then on is reasonable and as has been said above it concentrates the minds of those further up the food chain.

Having worked as an Emergency Ambulanceman for over twelve years I can say, I have found Police were called to attend any RTA (Road Traffic Accident) or industrial accident by the ambulance control. The Police did not monitor the ambulance control (well during my service to the best of my knowledge). As for the three Emergency services communicating together, well .......................................

Some great points raised however.....I'm alarmed at the number of people who meekly accept this extension of Police involvement, it's none of their business. The HSE have more Criminal investigation Powers in the Workplace than the Police and I would humbly add that your average PC is totally unable to identify a Crime under Health, Safety or Environmental Law. If here has been an act of violence or a crime associated with the event then we would ask for the police as well. By the way I believe it is mandatory that the Police are informed of road traffic accidents involving injury, road traffic accidents happen on Public Roads not Private Property. The responsibility for reporting is on the Employer or Occupier not the Police, Ambulance, etc There seems to be a busy body element to the whole thing. What makes anyone think that a Call Centre Operative has more intimate knowledge of a Chemical Spill Situation than the Site Management, if we need a Chemical Spill Response we will call for one or face the rather sever consequences. I would prefer that the Police focussed on tackling crimes that are under their jurisdiction rather than interfering in things that are not their concern. After all we keep hearing that budget cuts will result in fewer Police on the street, perhaps this is an area that they can reduce numbers without affecting their Front Line duties! When the Police become seen as agents of the State they will lose the goodwill of the people. Sorry if my view appear controversial!

Hi Paul, Not to sound codescending but you are well off the mark, the police have as much (or more) 'business' as other agencies. Very often the police service will prosecute under the HASAW act in liaison with the HSE. HASAW Crimes are exactly that, crimes and quite often serious ones at that. If you haven't got anything to hide then an inspector should be welcome.

Yes, I have to say that I am rather surprised at the response at #19, and am not sure if I think it is controversial; perhaps odd. I wonder if you had a particularly bad experience? I suppose it depends on the circumstances, and I can only speak from my recent experience, I was grateful to have both the Police and the HSE there. Of interest is that 'crimes' are committed on private property, and that many road traffic offences can be committed on what most people consider to be private property and roads.

Paul, You are not the only person. As a couple of people have already stated it has been policy for a few years now that when you dial 999 and ask for an ambulance to attend a serious incident at what appears to be a workplace, the Emergency Operator will alert the police. While there is no formal policy on co-operating on non-fatal incidents, there are agreements between the police and HSE that in any situation where a apparently serious incident has occurred that might lead to a fatality, the police will notify the HSE. However, watch this space as the 35% cutbacks that the HSE has to implement may well result in it not becoming immediately involved in some incidents (particularly those involving possible s.3 HSWA breaches) as opposed to s.2 HSWA breaches. I hope this helps. Regards. DJ