Accident Investigation and Reporting

Employers have a moral, financial and legal responsibility to report and investigate workplace accidents. The result of accidents can range from no injury to fatalities and it is important to learn from near miss events as they often have the potential to be a future fatality.

The accident reporting and investigation process is an essential element of the effective management of health and safety. It also makes business sense as costs can be identified and control measures implemented to prevent further losses.

The course is designed to consider the moral, financial and legal implications of accidents and discusses how employers can effectively use the information to protect the assets of the business.

Who is this course for?
The course emphasises the importance of learning from health and safety failures and is intended for anyone with a responsibility to investigate and report on workplace accidents.

What is it about?
The aim of the course is to provide course members with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out investigations into accidents/incidents, accurately report their findings and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

Content
This is a structured course that covers what we believe to be the most important issues and it is essential that it does. However, our approach in delivering the course is flexible and pragmatic. Our trainer is an experienced health and safety consultant who is able to provide sound advice and guidance on your own specific circumstances. The course is intended to be interactive and our trainer will encourage your participation. He will welcome any contribution that you can make, based upon your own experience. There will, therefore, be plenty of opportunity to focus on the things that matter to you.

The course content will include:

• Accidents and incidents – definitions, outcomes, cost of failure
• Legislation – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
• Civil liability
• Accident causation – immediate, underlying and root causes
• Human factors
• Accident investigation – purpose, techniques, evidence gathering and report writing
• Practical exercise using a video based accident scenario
• Principles and benefits of accident prevention
• Action plans.

During the course, delegates will undertake written assessments and practical exercises to determine the knowledge, understanding and skills they have obtained from it. The Focale Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to course delegates attaining the required standard.

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, delegates should be able to:
• Understand the terms accident, incident and near miss
• Understand the reasons for reporting and investigating accidents
• Understand the main legal requirements, especially RIDDOR
• Recognise the importance of effective accident investigation
• Be able to gather the facts surrounding an accident
• Be able to identify and analyse accident causations
• Be able to recommend preventative measures
• Be able to prepare an accident investigation report.

Other relevant courses available
• An Introduction to Behavioural Safety
• Directors’ and Senior Management Responsibilities for Managing Safety
• Risk Assessment, Safe Systems of Work and Permits to Work
• Safe Use of Work Equipment (PUWER 1998)
• Supervising Health and Safety.