RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
October 11, 2001
SAFETY CHALLENGE TO END “POOR” ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
Employers throughout the UK are being challenged to overhaul their accident investigation procedures in a bid to reduce the number of people killed and injured at work each year.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes that by using its ten-point prompt list during European Week for Safety and Health at Work (starting October 15), companies and organisations can play a major part in ending pain and suffering in the future.
The aim is to banish the culture of a quick-fix approach to accident investigation and take the opportunity to make it a learning experience.
Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, said: “Investigations designed to identify root causes of accidents are more likely to be successful in reducing the one million annual UK workplace injuries than looking for someone to take the immediate blame.
”Sadly, most accidents are not investigated, and recent HSE research shows that the enquiries that do take place are often of poor quality. As a result, employers are failing to learn vital lessons which could help them to improve their overall management of health and safety.”
RoSPA wants employers to ask:
- Is everyone in the organisation committed to learning from safety failures?
- Is every employee empowered to report accidents promptly?
- Are there clear criteria to help decide on the scale of the investigation?
- Are employees at all levels involved in a team-based investigation approach?
- Are the investigation team members suitably trained for the task?
- Do existing procedures allow for gathering the necessary data?
- Are structured methods used to identify the circumstances of the accident?
- Are both the immediate and underlying causes of accidents investigated?
- Are investigation results and recommendations for action communicated to all concerned and is implementation tracked?
- Does the organisation regularly review investigation procedures?
The challenge is supported by the Trades Union Congress, the Confederation of British Industry, the Association of British Insurers and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Full details can be found on the website www.rospa.com in the document “Learning From Safety Failure”.
