Accident Investigation Procedure Prepared by: Director of Health and Safety Policy Approved by: Shadow Board Minute No: 24 13.05.2013 Impact Assessed July 2013 AOS Aim 6.2 Implemented: August 2013 Review Date: November 2017 Page 1
Contents Page 3 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Preamble to the policy 1- Introduction to the policy 2 - Scope and Purpose policy 3 Policy for Accident/Disease Reporting 4 Accidents involving learners on Work Experience and Work Based Learning 5 Categories of Accidents as Defined by RIDDOR 6 Dangerous Occurrences and Diseases as Defined by RIDDOR Page 2
Preamble to the Policy Equal Opportunities The College shall comply with all statutory duties in respect of equal opportunities in the areas of sex, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, religion, belief, pregnancy, maternity and paternity, marriage and civil partnership and the rehabilitation of offenders. The college shall also comply with the Human Rights Act 1998 and any subsequent enactments or modifications. Sustainability The college will comply with all statutory duties in respect of sustainable development by seeking to improve the long-term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities. This needs to be done in ways which promote social justice, equality of opportunity and which enhance the natural and cultural environment while respecting its limits. Welsh Language The College will comply with its Welsh Language Scheme, which is a statutory document, in all of its activities. This includes conducting Welsh Language Impact Assessments for all new and revised policies and initiatives. 1. Introduction to the Policy Page 3
a. Across all industries in Britain, from April 2011 to March 2012, 173 workers were fatally injured. This is 12% lower than the average for the previous 5 years (196). b. While it is evident that there is a reduction in those accidents reported, it is important to follow the approved procedure in reporting all accidents, diseases and near misses. All accidents will be fully investigated following Coleg y Cymoedd Accident Investigation Procedures which can be found at: http://portal.morgannwg.ac.uk/college%20policies%20%20procedures/forms /AllItems.aspx c. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 places a legal duty on the employer to report certain work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences that occur in the course of its work activities. It is important to remember that this may also include visitors, members of the public and the self-employed. 2. Scope and purpose a. This document sets out the procedure to be followed following an accident at any location under the control of Coleg y Cymoedd. b. The Health and Safety Executive defines an accident as: An undesired circumstance(s) which gives rise to ill health, injury, damage, production losses or increased liabilities." 3. Policy for Accident / Disease Reporting a. All accidents, diseases and near misses must be recorded using the college accident reporting form. The forms are available on the Health & Safety section of the College Extranet. The completed accident forms MUST be completed by the appropriate member of staff and sent to the Director of Health & Safety. The forms should be not be completed by the person who has suffered the accident or incident, but should be completed by a member of staff in the presence of the injured person. b. If the accident or incident results in the individual being taken to hospital, then the Director of Health & Safety should be contacted the same day of the accident using suitable means, such as e-mail or telephone. c. Accidents, near misses and diseases that come under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
d. Only fatal and major injuries and incidents are reportable by phone to the Health and Safety Executive. All other work-related injuries and incidents reportable under RIDDOR are to be reported via a suite of seven online forms available from the Health and Safety Executives website. This is a legal requirement and can be undertaken by following one of the following routes:- By telephone ring 0845 3009923 for fatal and major injuries and incidents Via the Internet by completing the relevant form at www.riddor.gov.uk e. The requirement to report under RIDDOR will normally be undertaken by the Director of Health & Safety / Health & Safety Department. If another individual intends on reporting the incident on behalf of the college, then they should consult the Director of Health & Safety first. In the event of the absence of the Director of Health & Safety then they should ensure they have read and understood this document and seek guidance from another member of staff who is competent in health & safety issues. 4. Accidents involving learners on Work Experience and Work Based Learning a. It is important to remember that the college has a continued responsibility for learners placed on work experience and undertaking work based learning. When placing a learner it is important to ensure that the employer is aware of the requirement to immediately inform the college of any accidents and diseases involving a learner. b. In addition, any accident reported should be notified to the Director of Health & Safety as soon as possible, and in the event of a reportable incident as defined by RIDDOR on the same day as being informed by the employer. c. It is the responsibility of the Director of Health & Safety to comply with Skills Academy Wales Policy and Procedure when dealing with accidents involving learners undertaking Work Based Learning, as well as complying with the Coleg y Cymoedd Accident Investigation Procedure. The Skills Academy Wales Policy is available on the College Extranet. 5. Categories of Accidents as Defined by RIDDOR a. Reportable injury: These fall into the following categories Fatal Accidents, Major Injuries, over 7 day injuries. Page 5
b. Accident: The term accident includes non-consensual violence suffered by a person at work, and accidents arising out of or in connection with the work, including on public highways. c. Fatal Accident: Death of an employee, self employed person, or visitor on site (if death occurs within 12 months of the injury - report the death as soon as known). d. Major Injury: A major injury is an injury as defined in schedule 1 of RIDDOR. This includes injuries such as fractures, amputations and loss of sight. e. Over 7 day Injury: Any person at work, who suffers an injury not listed as a Major Injury, which results in absence from work, or incapacitation from normal work, of 3 7 working or non-working days or more. This does not include the day of the incident, but does include normal rest days, e.g. weekends. 6. Dangerous Occurrences and Diseases as Defined by RIDDOR a. Dangerous Occurrences: Dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive by the quickest possible means (i.e. by telephone) and confirmed within 10 days on Form F2508. Examples of events that are classed as Dangerous Occurrences can be found in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR. b. Industrial disease: There are more than 70 (seventy) occupational diseases that are required to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive on Form F2508A as soon as a written diagnosis is received from a doctor. Examples of Industrial diseases which are reportable can be found in Schedule 3 of RIDDOR. Page 6