Accident Investigation & Reporting

What does RIDDOR stand for?

• AReporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013✓
• BRegulatory Inspection and Documentation of Dangerous Occurrences Record
• CRegulatory Information on Dangerous Diseases and Occupational Reporting
• DRisk Identification and Direction of Dangerous Operations Regulation

Answer: RIDDOR 2013 is the legislation that requires reporting of certain injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the HSE within specified timeframes.

When must a notifiable accident be reported to the HSE?

• AAt the next HSE inspection
• BIt's optional to report
• CWithin 10 calendar days✓
• DWithin 30 days

Answer: RIDDOR requires notification to the HSE within 10 calendar days of a notifiable accident or occupational disease. Death or serious injury can be reported by phone immediately.

What is the purpose of conducting an accident investigation?

• ATo minimise the direct and indirect costs associated with the accident to the business
• BTo apportion blame to specific individuals so that disciplinary action can be taken
• CTo identify root causes and prevent recurrence✓
• DTo satisfy insurance company requirements only, with no other purpose intended

Answer: Accident investigation focuses on identifying root causes and system failures, not blaming individuals. The goal is to prevent similar incidents in the future.

What is a 'root cause' in accident investigation?

• AThe underlying cause that, if removed, would prevent the incident✓
• BA cause that, by definition, can only ever occur the one single time on a project
• CThe immediate, visible cause that directly and instantly caused the injury to occur
• DAny contributing factor that happens to be mentioned by the injured worker afterwards

Answer: Root cause is the underlying factor that, if eliminated, would prevent the accident. For example, the root cause of a fall from a ladder might be inadequate training, not just a slippery rung.

Who should be involved in an accident investigation?

• AOnly senior management, without involving the supervisor or workers directly
• BOnly the HSE, who must carry out the entire investigation independently
• COnly the injured person themselves, without input from anyone else involved
• DThe supervisor, relevant workers, competent person, and management✓

Answer: Effective investigations involve multiple perspectives: the supervisor (context), injured worker (what happened), colleagues (contributing factors), and competent persons (technical aspects).

What is a near miss?

• AAn incident that almost resulted in injury but didn't✓
• BA minor injury that required only basic first aid and no further treatment
• CA hazard that hasn't yet been controlled
• DAn injury to a visitor rather than an employee

Answer: A near miss is an incident that had the potential to cause injury but did not. Near misses indicate control failures and should be investigated to prevent actual injuries.

Why should near misses be investigated and reported?

• ABecause they often precede serious incidents
• BTo understand system failures before someone is injured
• CBoth A and B✓
• DNear misses don't need investigation

Answer: Near misses reveal hazards and control failures. Investigating them provides opportunities to strengthen safety measures before an actual injury occurs.

What information should be collected immediately after an accident?

• AOnly the financial cost of any damage caused to equipment or materials
• BWitness statements, scene details, environmental factors, equipment, and photographs✓
• COnly photographs taken of the scene once it has been fully cleared and tidied
• DOnly the injured worker's own account of what happened, given from memory

Answer: Immediate evidence collection is critical: witness accounts (while fresh), scene conditions, equipment involved, weather/lighting factors, and photographs before the scene is disturbed.

How should corrective actions from an accident investigation be prioritised?

• AThey shouldn't be prioritised at all - every action should be actioned simultaneously
• BBy cost alone, choosing whichever corrective action is cheapest to implement
• CBy potential to prevent recurrence and severity of risk✓
• DRandomly, in no particular order, as actions are simply raised in a meeting

Answer: Corrective actions should be prioritised by risk - actions preventing serious harm take precedence. The hierarchy of controls should guide which measures are most effective.

What is a notifiable occupational disease?

• AAny illness a worker develops at any point, whether or not it is work-related
• BDiseases such as asbestosis, dermatitis, and hand-arm vibration syndrome linked to work✓
• COnly common colds and seasonal flu picked up from other workers on site
• DDiseases contracted entirely outside of work, with no connection to site duties

Answer: RIDDOR requires reporting of occupational diseases when confirmed, including asbestos-related conditions, silicosis, dermatitis, and work-related upper limb disorders.

When should accident investigation records be retained?

• AFor 6 months only, after which the file can be closed and discarded
• BFor 3 years minimum (or longer if ongoing)✓
• COnly for the current calendar year, after which the records can be destroyed
• DRecords are not required to be kept at all once the investigation concludes

Answer: Accident investigation records should be kept for at least 3 years. Longer retention may be needed for serious injuries or ongoing claims.

What is an 'over 7-day injury' in RIDDOR terms?

• AAn injury preventing the worker from doing their job for more than 7 calendar days✓
• BAn injury that specifically requires surgery to be carried out within 7 days
• CAn injury that occurs only after a worker has completed 7 continuous days of work
• DAn injury that is expected to take more than 7 weeks to fully heal and recover

Answer: An over 7-day injury is notifiable under RIDDOR if it causes the injured person to be incapable of working for more than 7 consecutive calendar days (including weekends).

What should a supervisor do if a worker refuses to make a statement about an accident?

• ANote their refusal and close the investigation down immediately without further inquiry
• BForce them to give a statement regardless of their wishes, using disciplinary threats
• CDon't investigate the accident any further if the key witness declines to cooperate
• DDocument the refusal and continue the investigation with other witnesses✓

Answer: If a worker refuses to provide a statement, document the refusal and continue investigating. Statements from other witnesses, management, and physical evidence can still inform the investigation.

What is the difference between direct and indirect costs of accidents?

• AThere is no real difference - direct and indirect costs are simply two names for the same thing
• BDirect costs are always fully insured, while indirect costs are always entirely uninsured
• CDirect costs cover only the injury itself, while indirect costs cover equipment damage alone
• DDirect = immediate medical costs, indirect = lost time, reduced productivity, morale impact✓

Answer: Direct costs are identifiable (medical treatment, equipment damage). Indirect costs are often greater: lost productivity, investigation time, morale, disruption, and potential penalties.