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C o n s t ruction Health and Safety

POLICY . . .O R G A N I S ATION . . .

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

Section 1

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C O N T E N T SSafety policies 1 - 3O rg a n i s a t i o n 1 - 6Individual re s p o n s i b i l i t i e s 1 - 7Method Statements 1 - 1 0Site inspection 1 - 1 3R e p o rting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurre n c e s 1 - 1 5Accident book 1 - 1 8Investigation of accidents 1 - 2 1Accident analysis 1 - 2 2Cost of accidents, injuries and ill-health 1 - 2 3Incentive schemes 1 - 2 4D o c u m e n t a t i o n 1 - 2 6N o t i f i c a t i o n s 1 - 2 8

T h o rough examinations and inspections 1 - 2 9Synopsis of other legislation 1 - 3 1HSE/HSC publications relevant to constru c t i o n 1 - 4 4

N O T E

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy withinthis work, no liability whatsoever is accepted by Construction

Health and Safety, its sponsoring organisations or theiradvisers in respect of the information given.

No material from this book may be reproduced in anyshape or form without written permission from the publishers.

Printed in Great Britain by ArklePrint Ltd, 17 Gatelodge Close, Round Spinney, Northampton NN3 8RJ.Published by the Construction Confederation,

55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL

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SAFETY POLICIES

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Section 2(3), most employers must have awritten policy for looking after the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, andit must state the means by which it will be implemented.

This has always been the practice in responsible companies; it is now a statutory dutyin all but the very smallest firm s .

The policy should be re g a rded as part of the cost-effective running of a business. It isobviously worth some capital expenditure to prevent larger sums from being wasted ini n j u ry and damage. Sufficient funds must be allocated to implement the policy; toestablish safety control and to provide for specialist advice, training and pro t e c t i v eclothing and equipment.Existing policy statements may have been quite satisfactory for many years, but it is wiseto examine them to see if they do actually comply with Sec. 2(3) according to theguidelines given in the leaflets HSC 6 Writing a safety policy statement: advice toemployers, IAC/LI - Guidance on the implementation of safety policies and in the re p o rt E ffective Policies for Health and Safety.

The inspectorate point out that in many large companies there is very wide diverg e n c ebetween safety standards of diff e rent locations of the same firm. It is essential that suchf i rms ensure that all employees, wherever they may work, will be equally protected by thesafety organisation. This may very well entail modifying the safety policy in severalinstances to suit differing local conditions. It should certainly entail consultation with the

site personnel who are best acquainted with specialised work. It is vital thatmanagement, when formulating the safety policy, ensures that information is pooled sothat specialised knowledge gained by one division will be imparted to others, and thatrelevant safety systems which have been developed, or physical dangers which havebeen identified, in one division, are made known to all others.

The following seven clauses give the precise wording of Sec. 2(3), and briefly discussthe implications for firms in the construction industry: -

1 . Except in such cases as may be prescribed . . .

The exceptions are firms with less than five employees (The Employers Healthand Safety Policy Statements (Exception) Regs. 1975). However the exceptionapplies only to the provision of a written statement; even the smallest firm mustconsider how it is going to comply with the re q u i rements of the Health and Safety atWork Act.

2 . . . . it shall be the duty of every employer to pre p a re . . .

The policy must be a unique declaration of intent individually pre p a red for thespecial needs of the particular firm. It cannot be bought in model form or adoptedwholesale from another organisation. A safety policy borrowed from someone elseand modified is certain to be inappropriate or quite inadequate in detailedp ro v i s i o n s .

The Health and Safety Executive will be looking for hard evidence that a firm isoperating an effective safety organisation. The first piece of evidence will be thewritten safety policy statement.

Clients awarding contracts, and managing and main contractors engaging sub-contractors, ought also to ask to see the firm s safety policy as a measureof its intention to keep to high standards of conditions of work and safe working

s y s t e m s .The Inspectorate has prosecuted for failure to have a safety policy statement,including a case against an individual in a responsible position who was convictedand fined for failure to ensure that his department had a written safety policy.

3 . . . and as often as may be appropriate, revise . . .

The policy should be dated as a means of ensuring that it is periodically re v i s e din the light of current conditions. At the same time a recent date makes it clear to theemployees that this is not a static document but one which keeps in step withchanging circ u m s t a n c e s .

Revision necessitates continual monitoring and the policy should state how, and bywhom, its operation will be monitored. The assessment of whether or not changes needto be made in the policy will be based on the attainment of the agreed objectives;

whether the measures laid down are proving effective, whether target dates foreliminating certain hazards, or training certain groups of staff and operatives, arebeing met. Monitoring should also check whether successive levels in the managementchain who have been allocated safety responsibility are acting to the

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letter and spirit of the policy, (For guidance, responsibilities for various members ofthe firm, from senior management to operatives, are listed on pp.1-7 to 1-10).

P roper control of hazards is only achieved when all members of the firm fulfil thesafety duties allotted to them as normal everyday practice, and are madeaccountable for their own safe working eff i c i e n c y. Safety monitoring should be oneof managements normal functions on a par with monitoring work pro g ress andc o s t s .

Any revision of the policy must include any changes in named personnel, anychanges in processes or materials, and any other changes which could have an

e ffect on health and safety.Trade union appointed safety re p resentatives may pursue their own monitoring of

safety standards and make re p resentations on their findings through the channels setup under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations.

4 . . . . a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety atwork of his employees . . .

The policy statement should set out the re q u i red standards of health, safety andw e l f a re to be achieved throughout the organisation and management commitmentto those standards in terms of responsibility and accountability.

At the same time, it should point out that it is the duty of all employees to co-operate with management in implementing the policy and in doing everything theycan to avoid injury to themselves and others.

The statement should name the dire c t o r, or senior executive who is responsible forensuring that its objectives are fulfilled, and who has the authority to see thatindividual responsibilities are carried out. It should be signed by a director andanyone who reads it must be able to recognise that it carries the full authority of the b o a rd room. This is particularly important in the construction industry, where thesite agent or manager must frequently make decisions which are crucial to safety.

The whole workforce must see for themselves that what is laid down in the safetypolicy is realistic and has credibility - it must be seen to be consistent with what isgoing on in the firm and certainly not incompatible with the firm s main objective ofdoing good business.

The experience of firms who are known to give priority to the health and safety oftheir employees and the protection of the environment is that they reap considerablebenefits from their reputation as ethical org a n i s a t i o n s .

The general policy statement should re f e r, for more specific advice, to the secondand more detailed part of the safety policy.

5 . . . and the organisation and arrangements . . .The first part of the policy is the declaration of intent. The second part is

the working document. It should ensure that all who might be at risk are wella w a re of the hazards, the reasons for precautions to be taken, and the part thatthey as individuals have to play in maintaining a safe and healthy workinge n v i ro n m e n t .

It should include: -( a ) The positive steps that are to be taken to ensure good training and thoro u g h

s u p e rvision with arrangements for management and supervisors to betrained and equipped for this re s p o n s i b i l i t y. Measures for training operativesmust particularly take into account those men whose activities can be

especially dangerous to their fellow workers, for instance crane drivers, forklift operators, timbermen, scaffolders and hoist operators.( b ) The identification and responsibilities of key personnel who are accountable

to top management for ensuring that detailed arrangements for safe workinga re drawn up, implemented and maintained.

( c ) Rules and pro c e d u res for each working practice or hazardous situation. Inestablishing safety arrangements and safe systems of work, it should be born ein mind that the employees most closely involved with the particular work willhave a valuable contribution to make as to how the job can best be done. Ina complex organisation there are small groups of people who have a uniqueknowledge of their own particular process, and they should have a voice inf o rmulating the safe systems of work.

( d ) P ro c e d u res for ensuring that sub-contractors comply with the law andcompany safety ru l e s .Clear arrangements to establish on-site responsibilities for each firm

should be made at the contract stage in respect of, for example, re s p o n s i b i l i t yfor permission to start work; posting of statutory notices; re p o rting ofaccidents ; provision of health and welfare facil ities; use of scaff o l d s ;g u a rding of excavations. An exchange of safety policies should be included.

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( e ) A rrangements for passing inform a t i o n .( f ) P ro c e d u res for the appointment of Safety Representatives and the establishment

of Safety Committees; also for joint inspections and investigations.( g ) Details of the Safety Organisation and its functions.

6. . . . for the time being in force for carrying out this policy . . .This makes it clear that the safety policy is no paper exercise - it must be a

blueprint for the safety organisation which is actually being carried out on site. Itf u rther emphasises the need for continuous monitoring of the policy and for it to becontinually revised so that it accurately reflects changing operations within thec o m p a n y.

Systems of work must regularly be examined to see if experience shows them tobe in fact the best and safest way of doing things. There is a role for the safetyadviser in the monitoring of such pro c e d u res. In the course of time, form a la rrangements for safety become gradually degraded and eventually tacitly ignore d ,both by line management and by operatives; corners are cut and risks taken. Thesafety adviser must watch for signs of this and ensure that management is madea w a re of the attendant risks.

7.. . . and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees.Posting copies on notice boards or distributing in booklet form to all employees

will constitute compliance with the law. More active ways of promoting the policycould include films, training sessions, group briefings, posters and information beingpassed through the medium of safety committees. However, each employee shouldreceive a copy of the statement and of such parts of the details of the org a n i s a t i o nand arrangements which relate to his activities and re s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .

Safety policy checklistThe foregoing has given the re q u i rements of Section 2(3) of the Act and

recommendations to assist in the preparation of a company safety policy.Having pre p a red the policy, the following checklist is intended to be used asa guide to test its likely effectiveness. The checklist may also be used to testan existing policy; particularly with re f e rence to site re q u i re m e n t s .

The Policy StatementDoes it give a clear, unequivocal commitment to safety?Is it authoritative and is it signed by a dire c t o r, and dated?Is it made clear that the policy is to be regularly reviewed and its operationm o n i t o re d ?Has there been consultation with Safety Representatives, where appointed?How is it to be brought to the notice of employees?

The Org a n i s a t i o nIs the delegation of duties clear and logical?Is final responsibili ty placed on the appropriate dire c t o r ?

A re individual responsibilities (see pp.1-7/10) written into the policy?Do managers understand their duties and responsibilities re g a rding health andsafety and is their perf o rmance in this respect part of their annual assessment?

The Arr a n g e m e n t sThis part should contain details of arrangements for: -

1 . Training (see section 2)2 . Safe systems of work3 . Environmental control4 . Safe place of work5 . Machinery and plant6 . F i r e7 . Medical facilities and welfare

8 . R e c o r d s9 . Emergency procedures1 0 . C o m m u n i c a t i o n1 1 . Monitoring the effectiveness of the policy

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O R G A N I S AT I O NSafety organisation and control is a function of line management and fits into normal company protocol for the interc h a n g e

of inform a t i o n .The following diagrams show specimen lines of responsibility and communication for small, medium and large companies.

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( a ) Small Company in Group Scheme

Managing Dire c t o r

or Principal

Site Agent Site Agent Site Agent

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

G roup Safety Off i c e r

Principals of other

Companies in Group Scheme

( b ) Medium sized company


C o n s t ruction Manager Other Dire c t o r s

Safety Off i c e r

( c ) L a rge Company


D i re c t o r

Lines of responsibility and communication.

Lines of communication only.

Other Dire c t o r s

C o n s t ru c t i o nM a n a g e r

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S a f e t yO ff i c e r

S a f e t yO ff i c e r

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t


Chief SafetyO ff i c e r


D i re c t o r( With special responsibility for Safety)

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t

S i t eA g e n t


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INDIVIDUAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTORS

I n t ro d u c t i o nManaging health and safety is an integral function of management. It is there f o re

i m p o rtant that this is reflected in the individual duties and responsibilities of everylevel of management within an organisation. Likewise, it is important to ensure that

the avoidance of accidents and the provision and maintenance of safe and healthyworkplaces is a common objective throughout the organisation, from directors tooperatives. To this end, it should be made clear that the health and safety duties andresponsibilities delegated to individuals are no less important than the duties theymay have in perf o rming any other function.

Examples of typical duties and responsibilities of individuals are listed below togive an indication of areas to be considered in formulating company policy.H o w e v e r, it is emphasised that these will vary from firm to firm and must be adaptedto suit each particular organisation. For example, in a small company, the dutieslisted under Safety Director and Contracts Manager may well be carried out by onep e r s o n .

Although duties of Principal Contractors and Contractors under the C o n s t r u c t i o n(Design & Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended) a re re f e rred to in the

following paragraphs, these duties, together with the corporate duties of Clients,Designers and Planning Supervisors, are covered more fully in Section OC -Managing Construction for Health and Safety.

Safety Director or Principal of a smaller firm

This is the nominated person responsible for the implementation of the companysafety policy. Main responsibilities are to:

( a ) Initiate the firm s policy for the prevention of injury, ill-health, damage andwastage; set targets for reduction of accident rates.

( b ) Administer the policy himself, or appoint a senior member of staff to do so.( c ) Be aware of the re q u i rements of current legislation and establish systems to

monitor compliance.

( d ) E n s u re that all levels of staff receive adequate and appropriate training.( e ) Insist that safe working practices are regularly observ e d .( f ) Make certain that, in tendering, at planning stages and in pro d u c t i o n

p rocesses, the health and safety plan is followed in making allowance foradequate welfare facilities, safe systems of work, and suitable equipment toavoid injury, ill-health, damage and wastage.

( g ) Co-operate in the co-ordination of safety and health activities between principalc o n t r a c t o r, sub-contractors and any other individual contractors who may beworking on the same site.

( h ) Institute proper re p o rting, investigation and costing of injury, ill-health, damageand loss; promote action to preclude re c u rrence and initiate analysis todiscover accident tre n d s .

( i ) Reprimand any member of the staff failing to discharge satisfactorily theresponsibilities allocated to him.

( j ) Instigate liaison with external safety and health organisations; encourage thedistribution of pertinent information throughout the firm .

( k ) A rrange for adequate re s o u rces and facilities to meet the re q u i rements of theestablished policy.

( I ) E n s u re arrangements are made for all site staff to be provided with adequatei n f o rmation concerning relevant sections of the health and safety plan.

( m ) Set a personal example.

When the company is acting as principal contractor, the Safety Director isresponsible for ensuring a system of management to effectively control and co-o rdinate the activities of contractors.

C o n s t ruction Manager and/or Contracts Manager

Those appointed are responsible for the operation of the safety policy on theirsites. They should monitor each site to ensure the implementation of safetyi n s t ru c t i o n s .

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Main responsibilities are to:( a ) Understand the firm s policy and appreciate the responsibility allocated to each

g r a d e .( b ) See that tenders are adequate to cover suitable methods of working and

w e l f a re facilities.( c ) E n s u re adequate information is received re g a rding matters which might aff e c t

health and safety in order to determine at the planning stage: the most appropriate order and method of working; p rovision of adequate lighting;

allocation of responsibilities with sub-contractors and others; h a z a rds which might arise from overhead or underg round power lines and

other situations which might lead to unnecessary improvisations on site; facilities for welfare and sanitation; basic fire pre c a u t i o n s ;

( d ) E n s u re a full risk assessment is undertaken and provide written instructions toestablish working methods, to explain the sequence of operations, to outlinepotential hazards at each stage and indicate precautions to be adopted.

( e ) Check over working methods and precautions with site management beforework star t s .

( f ) E n s u re that work, once started, is carried out as planned and that re l e v a n tlegislation is observed on site.

( g ) Make certain that agents and general foremen understand that management ofhealth and safety on site will be taken into account when bonus and pro m o t i o na re being decided.

( h ) Set a personal example on site visits.

When the Company is acting as principal contractor, the Constru c t i o n / C o n t r a c t sManager is responsible for ensuring:( a ) Co-operation between contractors.( b ) The development of the health and safety plan and the provision of inform a t i o n

and directions to contractors.( c ) The provision of information to the Planning Supervisor for inclusion in the

health and safety file.( d ) The laying down of site rules, where appro p r i a t e .

Plant ManagerMain responsibilities are to:

( a ) E n s u re that all plant sent to site is safe and fully efficient; is guarded andequipped with safety devices and is tested in accordance with curre n tl e g i s l a t i o n .

( b ) Make certain that all plant operators and signallers are employed only onequipment for which they have been thoroughly trained and tested.

( c ) Check that periodic tests, inspections and maintenance are carried out.( d ) E n s u re that all repair and maintenance work carried out on site is done in a

p roper manner and that emergency repairs are dealt with pro p e r l y.( e ) Attend promptly to all plant defects notified, or call the attention of s ite

management to the need for dangerous plant to be put out of service until it canbe properly re p a i re d .

( f ) Check that hired plant is safe and that, where appropriate, re c o rds of test and

examination are available.( g ) E n s u re that, where necessary, ear protection is supplied and worn .

Site Agent and General Fore m a n

Those appointed are responsible to the Construction Manager or ContractsManager for ensuring the day-to-day implementation of the companys safety policyand safe working practices.

Main responsibilities are to:( a ) O rganise sites so that work is carried out to the re q u i red standard with

minimum risk to men, equipment and materials - and to give all trades fore m e nand gangers precise instructions on their responsibilities for correct workingm e t h o d s .

( b ) C o - o rdinate the activities of contractors.( c ) Develop the health and safety plan and provide relevant information toc o n t r a c t o r s .

( d ) Regularly monitor that site rules and other instructions are being complied with.

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( e ) See that all health and safety legal re q u i rements are observed on site; that allregisters, re c o rds and re p o rts are in order and that the competent personappointed has sufficient knowledge of plant or machinery to evaluate allaspects of its safe operation.

( f ) A rrange delivery and stacking of materials to avoid doubling risks by doublehandling; position plant effectively; ensure that the electricity supply is installedand maintained without endangering men and equipment.

( g ) Plan and maintain a tidy site.( h ) Implement arrangements with sub-contractors and other contractors on site to

avoid any confusion about areas of re s p o n s i b i l i t y.( I ) Check that all machinery and plant, including power and hand tools, are

maintained in good condition.( j ) E n s u re that all hazardous materials are properly marked to enable adequate

p recautions to be taken.( k ) Make sure that suitable protective clothing is available, where appro p r i a t e ,

and that it is used.( I ) E n s u re that First-Aiders or appointed persons and all items of first-aid equipment

as re q u i red by current legislation are available and their location known toe m p l o y e e s .

( m ) See that proper care is taken of casualties and know where to obtain medicalhelp and ambulance service in the event of serious injury. (Nominate others toact in emerg e n c y ) .

( n ) Accompany Health and Safety Executive Inspector, Safety Adviser/SafetyO fficer on site visits and act on their re c o m m e n d a t i o n s .

( o ) Release supervisors and operatives, where necessary, for on or off-site safetyand health training.

( p ) Liaise with the Fire Brigade on fire pre v e n t i o n .( q ) Set a personal example.

Trades Foreman and Ganger

Trades foremen and gangers are responsible to the Site Agent and/or GeneralF o reman for the day-to-day implementation of safety instructions on their specifica reas of work. In part i c u l a r, they should:( a ) Be familiar with current legislation applicable to the work on which their gangs

a re engaged and insist that safe systems of work are observed and monitore dre g u l a r l y.

( b ) Incorporate safety and health instructions in routine orders to see that they areobeyed at all times.

( c ) Not permit men to undertake tasks which have not been planned and for whicha risk assessment has not been undert a k e n .

( d ) Monitor that new employees, including apprentices, are adequately superv i s e dat all times and comply with safety and health pre c a u t i o n s .

( e ) Commend operatives who, by action or initiative, eliminate hazard s .( f ) Discourage horseplay and reprimand those who consistently fail to consider

their own well-being and that of others around them.( g ) R e p o rt defects in plant or equipment, or any obvious health risk.( h ) Set a personal example.

O p e r a t i v e sOperatives are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of themselves and

others who might be affected by their actions and for co-operating at all times onhealth and safety matters. In part i c u l a r, they should:( a ) Use the correct .tools and equipment for the job: use safety equipment and

p rotective clothing supplied, e.g. roof ladders, safety helmets, belts, goggles,e t c .

( b ) Keep tools in good condition.( c ) R e p o rt defects in plant or equipment, or any obvious health risks to their

s u p e rv i s o r.( d ) Develop a personal concern for safety and health - for themselves and for

others, particularly newcomers and young people.( e ) Avoid improvising which entails unnecessary risk.( f ) Wa rn new men of known hazard s .

( g ) Refrain from horseplay and the abuse of welfare facilities.( h ) Suggest ways of eliminating hazard s .

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T h e re are various statutory re q u i rements relating to theneed to carry out detailed planning for health and safety :-

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Actre q u i res the provision of safe systems of work.

CDM re q u i res the production of a construction phase

Health and Safety Plan. The Management of Health and Safety at Wo r kRegulations re q u i re risk assessments to be carried out.

Good business practice also dictates that methods ofwork are systematically planned.

Method statements have long been used within thec o n s t ruction industry as a means of describing the manner inwhich elements of work are to be undertaken. Whilsthistorically they may have simply described a sequence ofevents, it is now commonly accepted that all methodstatements must also address the health and safety issuesinvolved in carrying out the work. However, much of thework carried out within the industry is of a standard natureand, although it must of course be carried out safely, job

specific method statements are not necessarily re q u i red forbasic, routine operations. The broad range of risks posed bysuch operations is commonly addressed in the formulation ofthe project health and safety plan or in standard companyp ro c e d u re s .

T h e re is no definitive standard within the industry as towhich operations need to be covered by a method statementor what that method statement should contain. It isrecommended that, as a minimum, method statementsshould be pre p a red for all high risk operations and anyother operations where the control measures are notimmediately obvious from the health and safety plan or others t a n d a rdpro c e d u res. It is becoming increasingly common tore q u i re all subcontractors to produce method statements forall of their work. However, generalised statements of intent,

dealing with large packages of work, as are often submittedwith the tender, frequently prove to be of little use when itcomes to carrying out the work. Method statements shouldbe written for the benefit of those carrying out the work andtheir immediate supervisors. They there f o re need to addre s sspecific tasks or jobs which may mean breaking down thework into its constituent elements. Such job specific methodstatements should be produced well in advance of the worksand should address all aspects of the job - pro g r a m m e ,sequence, engineering, method, quality etc. as well ashealth and safety.

They should be clear and concise, using simple sketchesw h e re appropriate, with no ambiguities or generalisationswhich could lead to confusion. Whilst the content will varya c c o rding to the scale and complexity of the job and level ofrisk involved, all competent method statements shoulda d d ress the following issues :- What is to be done ? - p recise scope of the job. W h e re is it to be done ? - p recise location. When is it to be done ? - by dates or by sequence

of events i.e. pre c e d i n g ,c o n c u rrent, or followingother operations

Who is to do it ? - number and type of personnel including anyspecific skills, training orqualifications re q u i re d .

How is it to be done ? - plant, equipment andmaterial re q u i re d ,including access, storageand handling there o f .

- safe means of access ande g re s s .

- safe place of work.- p recise method and

sequence of operationsincluding any holdp o i n t s .

- specific limitations or

constraints upon the jobe.g. adverse weather, outof sequence working.

What are the risks and - list the identified hazard s ,c o n t rol measure s ? who might be harm e d

and the precautions to bet a k e n .

R e f e re n c e s - method statementsshould be self suff i c i e n tbut it is occasionallyn e c e s s a ry to cross re f e rto specific drawings,specifications, standard

p ro c e d u res etc.

Date and originator

The following system controls also need to be specified,either as part of the method statement or as part of thep roject health and safety plan or company pro c e d u re s .

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s - a rrangements forensuring that all involvedunderstand the methodstatement or their part ofi t .

S u p e rv i s i o n - a rrangements forensuring that work

p roceeds according tothe method statement.

A m e n d m e n t s - a rrangements fora g reeing modifications tothe method statement andcommunicating them tothose concern e d .

Va l i d a t i o n - a rrangements forensuring that thep roposed methodstatement is reviewed byboth the org a n i s a t i o np roducing it and by theprincipal contractor,including the seeking ofadvice from therespective safety advisersas may be appro p r i a t e .

The HSE have made it clear that they consider methodstatements to be an integral part of the construction phasehealth and safety plan and there f o re within the re s p o n s i b i l i t yof the principal contractor under CDM regulation 15 (4).Successful prosecutions have already been brought againstprincipal contractors because of the inadequacy ofsubcontractors method statements.

Competent method statements, properly implemented,will eliminate the ad hoc methods of work and goodintentioned improvisation which are so often the causeof accidents, sub-standard quality and poor pro d u c t i v i t y.

Job specific method statements are there f o re by far themost important element in planning for safety and workings a f e l y.

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PLANNING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY - METHOD STAT E M E N T S


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Principal contractors are the key players in settingpractical on-site safety standards and making sure that theya re actually followed. There f o re, they should :- specify the activities for which they re q u i re method

s t a t e m e n t s ; e n s u re that method statements are submitted to

themselves before the work commences; t h o roughly review method statements, considering the

work itself, any relevant site wide issues and interf a c e s

with other work of which the subcontractor may not befully aware ;

a p p rove method statements when they are considere da p p ropriate and adequate;

monitor the work whilst in pro g ress to ensure compliancewith the agreed method statement.

In order to assist in both the production and approval ofmethod statements for various high risk operations, checklists are included in appropriate sections of this manual. Itmust be stressed that these are general checklists for the

subject heading. They are not exhaustive lists of everypossible problem which may arise from a given task.

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CHECKLISTS FOR METHOD STAT E M E N T S

S u b j e c t End of Section

D e m o l i t i o n 8 AG ro u n d w o r k s 8 B

Fragile ro o f s 8 DRoof tru s s e s 8 DRoof sheeting 8 DP i l i n g 8 FMobile cranes 9Tower cranes 9Steel ere c t i o n 1 6P recast concre t e 1 6Timber frame ere c t i o n 1 6In-site concrete frames 1 6Metal decking 1 6Confined spaces 2 3Asbestos re m o v a l 2 4


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SITE INSPECTION


The practice of inspecting site operations is an essential partof every line managers duty. Information will be gained ona wide variety of matters, including attendance ofoperatives, rate of production, quality of workmanship andcompliance with health and safety standard s .

The vast majority of construction sites will be subject tothe Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994(as amended). A key re q u i rement of these regulations is anobligation on the principal contractor to develop andmaintain a health and safety plan. This plan will supplementthe contractors health and safety policy and the riskassessments re q u i red under other legislation. It shouldclearly define the standards which are to be met and includesite rules and pro c e d u res to be followed, together witha rrangements for monitoring compliance. Monitoringcompliance is likely to involve cooperation and re g u l a rmeetings between contractors and safety advisors, theinvestigation of dangerous incidents (whether or not causingi n j u ry) and the carrying out of site inspections.

Site inspections will be carried out at a number of levelsand should be incorporated into the daily routine. In the firstinstance, operatives should be aware of the risks which maybe present in their workplace. People should not ignore arisk because it is not of their making. It is not only carpenterswho can stand on a pro t ruding nail. Any avoidable riskwhich has been identified should be re p o rted through thechannels identified in the health and safety plan and, if therectification is simple, the operative might deal with it thereand then.

Site inspection should also be carried out as an o rmal part of site management by all line managers.This will include action by visiting contracts managers,d i rectors, etc. and is a clear demonstration to site employees

and sub-contractors of the commitment which seniormanagement have to health and safety matters. Standards ofaccident prevention which do not conform to those laid downin the health and safety plan should be identified andremedial action should be instigated. Where there is animminent risk of serious personal injury, then the work shouldbe stopped. Due to the various pre s s u res that Site Agents areu n d e r, some may find it useful to set aside a time when theyc a rry out a formal site inspection and re c o rd the results. Theremay be some value in the use of a checklist. This can veryeasily be generated from the risk assessments which form partof the health and safety plan (also see OC-28). It mightinclude such matters as:

Health and Safety Plan

Posting of notices and completion ofre g i s t e r s / re p o rt s

Training Record s

S c a ff o l d i n g G u a rd r a i l sTo e b o a rd sP l a t f o rm sS t a n d a rd sL e d g e r sR a k e r sB r a c i n gTi e s

E x c a v a t i o n s S u p p o rting systemsEdge pro t e c t i o nVe n t i l a t i o n

Means of access L a d d e r sStep ladders / tre s t l e sR a m p s

H o i s t s Safety devicesI n t e r l o c k sG a t e sR o p e sS t a b i l i t y

C r a n e s R a i l sAutomatic SWL indicatorsRadius indicatorsS t a b i l i t y

M a c h i n e ry G u a rd sC o n t ro l s

C o m p ressors and G a u g e sp re s s u re vessels Va l v e s

G u a rd s

E l e c t r i c a l Distribution system

Te m p o r a ry lightingHand toolsLive conductors

L . P. Gas C y l i n d e r sA p p l i a n c e s

F i re Pre c a u t i o n s F i re extinguishersNo smoking noticeHot Work perm i t s

Materials Handling,and stacking

P rotective clothing& equipment

We l f a re Facilities First aidCanteen facilitiesWashing and toilet facilities

Health Hazard s H a z a rdous Substances (COSHH)Asbestos and LeadNoise and Vi b r a t i o nR a d i a t i o n

Site Ti d i n e s s

If, during the course of any of the inspections, significantrisks are identified which are not covered by the health and

safety plan, then the plan should be updated to addre s sthose issues.

T h e re are of course other people who legitimately usec o n s t ruction site s as their place of work. In part i c u l a r,Resident Engineers may carry out or commission siteinspections in order to discharge their legal duties to bereasonably satisfied as to the wellbeing of theirs u b o rdinates. On many sites, particularly sites which arejointly occupied by the client, inspections may be carried outon the clients behalf

As part of the overall monitoring process, site inspectionswill be carried out by visiting health and safetyp rofessionals. Normal practice is for a re p o rt form to be completed before leaving the site and a copy handedto the agent who confirms on an action portion of the form

that any contraventions noted have been corre c t e d .Additional copies of the form may be sent to any sub-contractors who may be concerned and to the seniorm a n a g e m e n t .


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A.B.C. Co.SITE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE REPORT

Safety Advisers Report No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S i g n e d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C o n t r a c t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D a t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For action by: For information to:

Site Manager/Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Dire c t o r

Sub Contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C o n s t ruction Dire c t o r

O t h e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Dire c t o r

ITEMS CHECKED

1 . S C A F F O L D I N G 8 . E L E C T R I C I T Y 1 4 . W E L FA R E2 . L A D D E R S / A C C E S S 9 . G U A R D / F E N C I N G 1 5 . FIRST AID3 . D E M O L I T I O N 1 0 . G A S E S 1 6 . SITE TIDINESS4 . E X C AVAT I O N S / E A RT H W O R K S 1 1 . PERSONAL PROTECTIVE

17. H E A LTH AND SAFETY PLAN5 . LIFTING APPLIANCES/GEAR E Q U I P M E N T

6 . P L A N T / M A C H I N E RY 1 2 . FIRE PRECAUTIONS 18. R E G I S T E R S / R E C O R D S7 . P O RTABLE TOOLS 1 3 . H E A LTH HAZARDS 19. O T H E R

I T E MN O . COMMENTS (List defective items only)

This section to be completed, detached andSAFETY ADVISERS REPORT No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . re t u rned to the Safety Adviser within 24 hours.

I T E MN O . ACTION TA K E N

S i g n e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Site Manager/Agent

1 - 1 4 December 2002


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R E P O RTING OF INJURIES, DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES


I n t ro d u c t i o nThe Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and DangerousOccurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) re q u i re fatal andc e rtain non-fatal accidents, certain specified diseases andc e rtain specif ied dangerous occurrences to be re p o rt e dd i rectly to the appropriate enforcing authority. Note The defi-

nition of accident includes acts of violence done to personsat work, e.g. an assault by an employee on a supervisor (orvice versa) over a work-related matter. Violence resulting fro ma rguments over personal issues are not re p o rt a b l e .

I n j u r i e sA re p o rt must be made on any injury, arising out of or inconnection with work, which results in:

1 . Death (of any person)

2 . A specified major injury(to a person at work)The following injuries and conditions are specified: any fracture (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes); any amputation; dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine; loss of sight (whether temporary or perm a n e n t ) ; chemical or heat burn to the eye, or penetrating

i n j u ry to the eye; any injury from electric shock or electrical burn

causing unconsciousness or requiring re s u s c i t a t i o nor admission to hospital for more than 24 hours;

any other injury which leads to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness, re q u i re sresuscitation or re q u i res admittance to hospital form o re than 24 hours;

loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia ore x p o s u re to a harmful substance or biological agent;

acute illness requiring medical attention, loss ofconsciousness due to absorption of any substanceby inhalation, ingestion or skin contact;

acute illness requiring medical attention wherebelieved caused by exposure to a biological agentor its toxins, or infected material.

3 . Incapacity for work(of a person at work)Any injury which results in absence from work for morethan three consecutive days, (excluding the day of theaccident, but including weekends and other holidayswhich would not have been working days) must bere p o rt e d .

4 . Subsequent death (of a person at work)W h e re an employee suffers an injury, re p o rtable under2 or 3 above which results in his death within one year,a further re p o rt must be made whether or not the injuryhas been previously re p o rt e d .

5 . I n j u ry to a person not at workAn injury to someone who is not at work (e.g. amember of the public) which results in the person beingtaken from the site of the accident to hospital fort reatment or, if the accident happens at a hospital, theperson suffers a major injury (see 2 above). N o t eAccidents at a hospital do not include those arising outof medical treatment by a doctor or dentist.

D a n g e rous occurre n c e sA re p o rt must be made of any specified type of dangero u so c c u rrence, whether or not injur y results. Dangero u so c c u rrences related to the construction industr y aresummarised below.

E q u i p m e n t , D a n g e rous occurrencematerial oro p e r a t i o n

B r e a t h i n g f a i l u re of a breathing apparatus whilst ina p p a r a t u s use or whilst being tested immediately prior

to use.

D a n g e r o u s u n c o n t rolled escape of any dangero u ss u b s t a n c e s substance being carried by ro a d

which might have caused death or majori n j u ry ;u n c o n t rolled escape of any dangero u ssubstance being conveyed in a road tanker

or tank container;f i re involving a dangerous substance beingconveyed by ro a d ;o v e rt u rning of a road tanker or tankcontainer conveying prescribed dangero u ss u b s t a n c e s ;serious damage to a tank conveyingp rescribed dangerous substances by ro a d .

D i v i n g f a i l u re of lifting equipment or life supporto p e r a t i o n s equipment which puts a diver at risk; also

damage to the dive platform or failure of thep l a t f o rmto remain on station, which puts thediver at risk;trapping of a diver, explosion in the vicinity

of a diver, or uncontrolled ascent which putsa diver at risk.

E l e c t r i c i t y contact of plant with uninsulated overh e a dcables (over 200 volts), or electrical dis-c h a rge due to plant coming into closep ro x i m i t y ;electrical short circuit or overlead causingexplosion or fire resulting in stoppage ofplant involved for more than 24 hours orwhich might have caused death.

E x p l o s i v e s accidental ignition or explosion ofexplosives, misfires (other than due to fail-safe devices), failure of shots in demolitionoperations, projection of material beyondsite boundary or danger zone; also anyi n j u ry (other than those re p o rtable underRIDDOR) involving firs t aid or tre a t m e n tresulting from the explosion; see alsoBlasting ( Q u a rr i e s ) .

F r e i g h t f a i l u re of any freight container, or any load-c o n t a i n e r s bearing part thereof, whilst being raised,

l o w e red or suspended.

F l a m m a b l e u n c o n t rolled release inside a building ofs u b s t a n c e s 100kg or more of flammable liquid, 10kg or

m o re of flammable liquid above its boilingpoint, or 10kg or more of flammable gas;u n c o n t rolled release in the open air of500kg or more of flammable liquid orflammable gas.


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L i f t i n g collapse, overt u rning or failure of any load-bearing part of: (a) any lift, hoist, crane,d e rrick, mobile powered access platform oraccess cradle, (b) any excavator, (c) anypile driving rig having an overall height,when operating, of more than 7m or (d) anyfork lift tru c k .

L o c o m o t i v e s collision with any other vehicle which might

have caused major injury.

P i p e l i n e s damage to a pipeline, uncontrolled escapeof anything from a pipeline, or failure ofequipment, which might have caused death,major injury, or ill-health, or which causedthe pipeline to be shut down for more than24 hours;unintentional ignition of anything in ap i p e l i n e ;d a n g e rous change in the posi tion of apipeline, or of the subsoil in the vicinity.

P r e s s u r e f a i l u re of any pre s s u re vessel, or associateds y s t e m s pipework, which might have caused death.

S c a ff o l d s collapse or partial collapse of any scaff o l dwhich is either more than 5m high andresults in a substantial part of the scaff o l d i n gfalling or overt u rning, or which is ere c t e dover water so that there would be a risk ofpersons dro w n i n g ;collapse or partial collapse of thesuspension arrangements of a slung orsuspended scaffold, causing the platform orcradle to fall.

S t r u c t u r e s unintended collapse of any stru c t u reunderc o n s t ruction, alteration or demolition,involving the fall of more than 5 tonnes ofmaterial; also collapse of the floor or wall ofa building used as a place of work, or ofany falsework.

The following are re p o rtable only in relation to quarr i e s :B l a s t i n g explosion of blasting material or device

causing injury which necessitates first aid(does not include accidents notifiable underRIDDOR), misfire s ;p rojection of any substance beyond aq u a rry boundary as a result of blasting,w h e re a person was, or might have been,e n d a n g e re d .

S t o r a g e collapse of any storage bunker.b u n k e r s

Ti p s movement of material, fire or any otherindication that a tip may be insecure, orwhich might cause death, or adverselya ffect any building, public utility, publicplace, etc.

M o b i l e explosion or fire in dump trucks (over 50p l a n t tonnes capacity) or excavators (having

bucket capacity over 5 cu. m) resulting instoppage of the plant for more than 24hours and which affects a place of work ore g ress from it.

Wa t e r b o r n e sinking or overt u rning.craft orh o v e r c r a f t

F u rther details are contained in Schedule 2, Parts I and III ofR I D D O R .

D a n g e rous occurrences relating to mines and railwaysa re listed in Parts II and IV respectively of Schedule 2.

D i s e a s e sAs far as employees are concerned, a disease need bere p o rted only when a written diagnosis of a scheduled

disease is received from a doctor and where the persons u ffering currently has a job in which that disease is aknown risk. In the case of a re p o rtable disease being con-tracted by a self-employed person, a written diagnosis is notre q u i red. However, if a self-employed person is informed bya doctor that he/she is suffering from such a disease, thatperson (or someone acting on his/her behalf, must re p o rt it.Full details of re p o rtable diseases and associated workactivities are contained in Schedule 3 of RIDDOR, but thefollowing are some which may be encountered inc o n s t ru c t i o n :

D i s e a s e Work activity

P o i s o n i n g sC a d m i u m welding, brazing, soldering.L e a d cutting, burning, welding, soldering.

I n f e c t i o n sA n t h r a x work on contaminated sites.Te t a n u sL e p t o s p i ro s i s work in sewers.L e g i o n e l l o s i s work on cooling systems.

Skin diseasesF o l l i c u l i t i s e x p o s u re to mineral oil, tar or pitch.A c n eSkin Cancer

Radiation skin work with ionising radiation.i n j u ry

O c c u p a t i o n a l e x p o s u re to expoxy resins, cement,d e rm a t i t i s p l a s t e r, concrete, organic solvents.

Lung diseasesO c c u p a t i o n a l e x p o s u re to isocyanites, epoxy re s i na s t h m a curing agents, rosin, wood dust.P n e u m o c o n i o s i s sand blasting, use of grindstone,

d ressing of granite.M e s o t h e l i o m a work with asbestos.Lung cancerA s b e s t o s i s

Other conditionsBlood cancer work with ionising radiation.Blood dyserasiaMalignant boned i s e a s e

D e c o m p re s s i o n work with compressed air. sicknesss i c k n e s sB a rt r a u m aD i s b a r i co s t e o n e c ro s i s

Vibration white use of hand-held percussive or vibratingf i n g e r t o o l s .Carpal tunnel

s y n d ro m e

Beat hand, beat manual work.knee, beat elbow

1 - 1 6 December 1996


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Duty to re p o rt injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseasesThe duty to re p o rt rests with the responsible person, as indicated below:

R e p o rtable event Responsible Person

Death, specified major injury, s u ff e red by an employee the employero v e r-3-day injury, or scheduleddisease (including cases of s u ff e red by a self-employed the person in control of thedisease connected with diving person working under the contro l p remises (i.e. normally theo p e r a t i o n s ) of a contractor principal contractor)

Specified major injury, over- 3 - d a y s u ff e red by a self-employed the self-employed person (ori n j u ry, or case of disease person in premises under his own someone acting for him)

c o n t ro l

Death, or injury requiring re m o v a l s u ff e red by a person who is not at the person in control of thef rom site to hospital for treatment (or work (e.g. a member of the p remises where the accidentmajor injury occurring in a hospital) public), but who has been aff e c t e d h a p p e n e d

by the work of someone else

A dangerous occurre n c e the person in control of thep re m i s e s

Note The above does not apply to quarries, where the Owner is the responsible person. Reportable events at divingoperations, except cases of disease, must be re p o rted by the diving contractor. A dangerous occurrence involving a dangero u ssubstance being conveyed by road must be re p o rted by the Operator of the vehicle and a dangerous occurrence at a pipelineby the Owner of the pipeline.


Method of re p o rt i n gA death, major injury or dangerous occurrence must be

re p o rted to the enforcing authority by the quickest possiblemeans. This can now be done via a central re p o rting centreknown as the Incident Contact Centre.

By Phone: 0845 300 9923By Fax: 0845 300 9924On the Intern e t : w w w. r i d d o r. g o v. u kBy Post: Incident Contact Centre

Caerphilly Business ParkC a e r p h i l l yCF83 3GG

You can re p o rt by telephone, by completing an F2508and faxing it, or you can complete and submit an F2508 onthe RIDDOR website. Whichever method of re p o rting youchoose you will be given a unique re f e rence number for yourown re c o rds.

An injury to a person not at work, which re q u i res re m o v a lto hospital for treatment, must be similarly re p o rted.

Injuries, which result in more than three days absence

f rom work, do not have to be re p o rted immediately. Yo uhave 10 days from the date of the accident to re p o rt theaccident. You can submit details of the injury by telephone,fax or via the Internet to the Incident Contact Centre .

Cases of disease, which are re p o rtable under RIDDORand are re p o rted on an F2508A can also be submitted viathe incident contact centre .If you re p o rt an incident to the Incident Contact Centre youa re no longer re q u i red to submit an F2508 by post within10 days. The Incident Contact Centre will send you anF2508 containing the details that you submitted to them.You should retain a copy of the F2508 for your own re c o rd s .If at any time you are re q u i red to provide information to HSEabout the incident you should give your unique re f e re n c enumber and show the F2508 you received from the Incident

Contact Centre .F o rms F.2508 and F.2508A are available f rom HSE

Books, but copyright has been waived so that firms mayre p roduce the forms. Standard details (e.g. the firm s name

and address in Section B of Form F.2508) may also beoverprinted. This dispensation does not permit any changesto the official form, which must remain a standard document.R e p o rt forms are also available on floppy disk.

Additional re q u i rements for quarr i e sW h e re there is a nominated re p resentative of thew o r k f o rce, the Quarry Owner must immediately notify thatnominated person of any death, major injury or condition,or dangerous occurrence and provide that person with acopy of the relevant Form F.2508 within seven days. TheQ u a rry Owner must similarly notify the nominated person ifa major injury subsequently results in death.

Unless certain conditions are satisfied, the scene of adeath, major injury, or dangerous occurrence, must not bedisturbed for at least three days, or until visited by ani n s p e c t o r.

R e c o rd sThe responsible person must keep the following minimum

re c o rds related to re p o rtable injuries, dangero u so c c u rrences and diseases:

Deaths, re p o rtable injuries and dangero u so c c u rre n c e s1 . Date and time of incident.2 . For an accident suff e red by a person at work: full name,

occupation and nature of injury.3 . For an accident suff e red by a person not at work: full

name (where this can be ascertained), status (e.g.visitor, bystander), nature of injury.

4 . Place where incident occurre d .5 . Brief description of the circ u m s t a n c e s .6 . Date incident first re p o rted to enforcing authority.7 . Method of re p o rt i n g .

D i s e a s e s1 . Date of diagnosis of disease.2 . Name and occupation of person aff e c t e d .


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3 . Name or nature of disease.4 . Date disease first re p o rted to enforcing authority.5 . Method of re p o rt i n g .

No form is specified for keeping these re c o rds andi n f o rmation may be stored on computer, provided detailscan be retrieved and printed out. A separate re c o rd may bep re f e rred by some companies, but the retention ofphotocopies of forms F.2508 or F.2508A is sufficient. In the

case of injuries, suitable entries in the Accident Book (BI510) will suff i c e .

R e c o rds must be kept for at least three years and must bemade available to the enforcing authority (also to anominated re p resentative, in the case of a quarry), ifre q u e s t e d .

E x c l u s i o n sAccidents involving vehicles moving on public roads arec o v e red by the Road Tr a ffic Act 1988. RIDDOR will applyonly where the injured person:1 . received the injury due to exposure to a substance

c a rried by the vehicle,2 . was either himself engaged in loading or unloading the

vehicle, or suff e red the injury as a result of anotherperson carrying out such work, or

3 . was either himself engaged in work on, over, under oradjacent to a road, or suff e red injury as a result ofanother person carrying out such work.

E n f o rcing authoritiesThe enforcing authority for events involving the constru c t i o ni n d u s t ry is normally the Health and Safety Executive. Thee n f o rcing authority for Company offices is the LocalA u t h o r i t y.

The Incident Contact Centre will receive information anddetails on all re p o rtable injuries, dangerous occurrences anddiseases so you no longer need to identify who is thee n f o rcing authority for the activity concerned or which off i c e

you should send relevant forms to. The Incident ContactC e n t re will notify the relevant authority on your behalf.

Accident BookUnder the re q u i rements of The Social Security (Claims andPayments) Regulations employers are re q u i red to keep anaccident book, which must be kept readily available. Detailsmust be entered of every accident causing personal injury toany employee. The entry should normally be made by theemployee or by anyone acting on their behalf, in the eventthat the employee is unable to insert the entry. The employeris also re q u i red to investigate the circumstances of everya c c i d e n t .

Completion of the accident book does not meet theemployer's obligation to re p o rt specific accidents and

d a n g e rous occurrences to the HSE by telephone or on an

a p p roved form .T h e re is no longer a specified 'accident book' (BI 510)

and as long as all the relevant details are correctly entere dand the proper re c o rds are maintained, any book ore l e c t ronic method may be used providing the information isreadily available in hard copy and the format is appro v e dby the relevant Secre t a ry of State. The old style AccidentBook BI 510 may still be used and two approved versionsa re available from Construction Industry Publications, a

s t a n d a rd 'accident book' and a 'duplicate accident book',which provides a copy to be sent to head off i c e .

R e p o rting within the firmF i rms must decide how far they wish to go with intern a lre c o rd keeping, depending on their size and the facilitiesavailable. Many small firms find it sufficient to base theirs u rveys of injuries on re p o rtable accidents but this can giverise to the situation where re p o rtable accidents are few, yetthe non-re p o rtable are causing significant losses. Other firm smay limit detailed in-company re p o rting to those accidentswhich result in a man being absent from his normal work forone day or more after the accident, incidents which result indamage to expensive plant and equipment, and to the

potentially more serious near-misses. However, if detailedre c o rds of all injuries requiring first aid are kept, togetherwith re c o rds of all damage to plant and equipment, a usefulbody of information can be compiled. Additionally, to be ofgenuine value, main contractors need to keep re c o rds of allinjuries occurring on their sites, including those to sub-contractors employees.

Examples of accident and damage re p o rt forms aregiven on p.1-19/20. It is suggested that the whole of thef o rms are completed at site level, although parts of the c o n t r i b u t o ry factors sections may be best left pendinginvestigation by the Safety Adviser.

The accident re p o rt form illustrated deals only with injuryor condition information. The retention of copies of re l e v a n tF o rms F.2508 and F.2508A will normally provide suff i c i e n t

i n f o rmation on dangerous occurrences and scheduleddiseases for analysis purposes. The damage re p o rt form willp rovide additional information on incidents not classified asd a n g e rous occurre n c e s .

R e p o rt forms should be forw a rded promptly to heado ffice, where one person should be given the re s p o n s i b i l i t yfor keeping the re c o rds and for carrying out analysis andcosting. This person will be the Company Safety Adviser,w h e re there is one but , altern a t i v e l y, it might be theCompany Secre t a ry or Personnel Manager. Otherd e p a rtments, particularly the insurance department, willneed to receive copies of the re p o rts. Contractors must alsoi n f o rm the principal contractor. (see OC-17 Regulation1 9 ( 1 ) ( e ) ) .

The analysis of accident information, and the uses to

which it can be put, are covered on pages 1-22/23.

1 - 1 8 December 2002


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DAMAGE REPORT FORM

C o n t r a c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plant and equipment aff e c t e d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Serial numbers or identifying marks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Owner of plant or equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Place, date and time of incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C i rcumstances of incident. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Details of damage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Names of operators involved (if not Company employees, also give details of sub-contractors concern e d ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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We re normal working methods used?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C o n t r i b u t o ry causes of incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Names of witnesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(attach statements) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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P reventative action proposed or taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S i g n a t u re of Site Agent or Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D a t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 - 1 9September 1996


20/50

PERSONNEL ACCIDENT REPORT FORM

Division/Dept (if applicable). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C o n t r a c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Full name and address of injured person (IP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Occupation of IP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Age of IP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Employed by (state if self-employed or under training) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trade of sub-contractor (where applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

P a rticulars of accident:

Date and time of accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exact place where accident happened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What was IP doing at time of accident?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Did IP cease work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .First aid or hospital tre a t m e n t ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Time lost (state if IP is still off work) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Brief description of accident, giving dimensions where applicable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Details of tools, equipment, plant or machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What protective clothing/equipment was being worn/used by IP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

N a t u re of injury and part of the body injured, e.g. punctured foot, hand, broken leg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C o n t r i b u t o ry factors:

Unsafe system of work YES/NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lack of training, supervision etc YES/NO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

E n v i ronmental conditions (wind, rain, ice, etc) YES/NO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

State of equipment (faulty brakes, damaged lifting gear, etc.) YES/NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Housekeeping (untidy access, nails in timber, etc.) YES/NO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

O t h e r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .*Delete as appropriate and give details

Names and addresses of witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If re p o rt a b l e :

Date and time HSE informed by telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date Form F.2508 sent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P reventative action taken or pro p o s e d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S i g n a t u re of Site Agent or Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D a t e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 - 2 0 December 1986


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I N V E S T I G ATION OF ACCIDENTS


D e f i n i t i o nAn accident is an unplanned and unexpected

o c c u rrence, which upsets a planned sequence of work,resulting in loss of production, injury to personnel and/ordamage to plant and equipment. Some accidents resulting inpersonal injury and all dangerous occurrences (as defined

in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangero u sO c c u rrences Regulations 1995) have to be re p o rted to thee n f o rcing authority (see p.15/18).

I d e a l l y, the causes of all accidents should be established,re g a rdless of whether injury or damage results. Wheren e c e s s a ry, a ful l investigation should be carried out. Are c o rd of their classification, by cause, should bemaintained. This will enable appropriate preventive actionto be taken should a pattern of causation emerg e .

O b j e c t i v e sT h e re are legal re q u i rements for investigating accidents

to ensure that you are operating your organisation within the

l a w. The Investigating Accidents and Incidents (Health &Safety Guidance) HSG 245 2004 is a workbook/step-by-step guide to health and safety investigations for employees,unions, safety re p resentatives and safety professionals. Thisis in addition to the existing Management of Health & SafetyRegulations 1999, regulation 5, which re q u i res employers toplan, organise, control, monitor and review health andsafety arrangements. Health and safety investigations formp a rt of this process. Safety Representatives have a r ightunder the Safety Representatives and Safety CommitteesRegulations 1977, to investigate notifiable accidents,o c c u rrences and diseases and the Health and SafetyCommission has clearly recommended that suchinvestigations should be jointly undertaken by managementre p resentatives and T.U. Safety Representatives. Other

investigations may need to be undertaken separately bymanagement or union appointed safety re p resentatives andthe results remain confidential. It is, there f o re, important thatthe objectives for undertaking joint investigations should beclearly determined to guide those involved.

Some objectives for investigating accidents, etc. are : -

1 . to determine the cause(s) with a view to preventing are c u rre n c e

2 . to gather information for use in any criminal or civilp ro c e e d i n g s

3 . to confirm or refute a claim for industrial injury benefit

4 . to pre p a re notifications to be made to the HSE or othere n f o rcing agency.

Too often, those investigating accidents are obsessedwith the need to blame someone. This should never bethe aim as it obscures the main objective, which is tofind and deal with the fundamental cause of the occurre n c e .This is not to suggest that a joint investigation maynot, on occasion, find there has been a blatantf a i l u re to comply with a properly given and understoodi n s t ruction, which may re q u i re management to taked i s c i p l i n a ry action. This, however, will be found to bethe exception rather than the rule and, even in suchc i rcumstances, perhaps the personnel selection pro c e d u re sshould be re v i e w e d .

The investigationIt is vital that all accidents are investigated as quickly as

possible. The longer the delay, the less likely it is that the tru efacts will be ascert a i n e d .

Who should investigate the accident? For theinvestigation to be worthwhile; it is essential that the

management and the workforce are fully involved.Depending on the level of investigation (and the size ofbusiness), supervisors, line managers, health and safetyp rofessionals, union safety re p resentatives, employeere p resentatives and senior management/directors may allbe involved. Members of the investigation team should havedetailed knowledge of the work activities involved and befamiliar with health and safety good practice, standards andlegal re q u i rements. The investigation team must includepeople who have the necessary investigating skills (e.g.i n f o rmation gathering, interviewing evaluating andanalysing). The team must be provided with sufficient timeand re s o u rces to enable them to carry out the investigatione ff e c t i v e l y.

Witnesses should always be put at ease before being

questioned. Where the investigation is being jointly carr i e dout, the person can be assured that the objective is toa s c e rtain the cause in order to prevent others being injure d ,or placed at risk, and not to find a scapegoat. It might bebetter for witnesses to be informally interviewed at theirn o rmal workplace, rather than bring them into the form a la t m o s p h e re of the committee room or managers off i c e .W h e re the questioning of witnesses takes place in a form a la t m o s p h e re a very conscious eff o rt must be made to putthem at ease and encourage them to talk freely about thesituation. Witnesses should not be requested to signstatements where the objective is solely to prevent are c u rrence, although signed statements may well beneeded where the investigation has objectives involving thepossibility of civil or criminal court proceedings. It is

i m p o rtant that the scene of the accident should not bedisturbed, except to the extent necessary to effect rescue orto stabilise and render the area safe until a full investigationhas been undertaken. The fullest photographic re c o rd ofthe incident should be made as early as possible,p a rticularly where the situation has to be altered ino rder to make it safe. Where the accident ord a n g e rous occurrence is to be immediately re p o rted to theHSE or other enforcing authority, the Inspector concern e dmay re q u i re the circumstances to be left until the examinationof the equipment, plant, temporary stru c t u re etc. has beenm a d e .

A thorough investigation into an accident should pro v i d emanagement with answers to the following seven questions:

W H AT caused the accident?WHO was involved?WHEN did it occur?WHERE did it occur?WHY did it occur?HOW could it have been pre v e n t e d ?HOW can a re c u rrence be pre v e n t e d ?

If all seven questions cannot be answered, then it may ben e c e s s a ry to re-examine certain witnesses with a view toobtaining further inform a t i o n .

During an investigation, consideration should be given inestablishing whether:-

1 . any specified system of work had been established andif so whether it was safe and adhered to

2 . the work was undertaken in accordance with goodestablished practice


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3 . adequate instructions and training were given to theoperative responsible for doing the work which re s u l t e din the accident and whether these were followed

4 . plant and equipment used:( a ) was suitable for the work being carried out( b ) was in good condition and fitted with any

n e c e s s a ry guard s( c ) had, provided by the supplier, designer etc.,

adequate information to enable it to be used safely

( d ) was being adequately supervised and corre c t l yused in its operation

5 . any tests were necessary, e.g. atmosphere tests and, ifso, whether suitable equipment was to hand, in goodworking order and was it used pro p e r l y ?

6 . personal protective equipment was re q u i red. If so, wasit used, was it readily to hand, suitable f

cip section 01

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