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S.H.E.A.T. Safety, Health, Environment, Audit & Training.
Accident Investigations |
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Recent HSE figures show, that on average 250 employees/self-employed workers are killed annually due to accidents in the workplace. In addition 150 000, sustain major injuries or injuries which, mean they are absent from work for over three days. Over 2.3 million cases of ill health are caused, or made worse by work and according to a Labour Force Survey, about 40 million working days are lost each year due to work related injuries/ill health, costing UK business in the region of £2.5 billion. As can be seen from the figures quoted above, it makes good financial sense to reduce accidents and ill health caused at work. Estimates show, for every £1 businesses spend on insurance, they may be losing as much as £36, in uninsured costs. Again and again the same type of accidents occur, causing injury/illness to a wide range of workers and their families.
Therefore the investigation and analysis of work related accidents/incidents, form an essential part of managing health and safety. However, learning lessons from evidence uncovered during an investigation, is at the heart of preventing such accidents/incidents from re-occurring and helps identify where and what went wrong, and providing answers on the positive steps required to put it right. Carrying out health and safety investigations, gives a deeper understanding of risks which are associated with work activities. Blame individual members of the workforce is usually counter productive and can give credence to the myth, that accidents/ill health caused at work, are unavoidable, when in fact the opposite is true. Risk control measures, which have are thought through, combined with adequate supervision, monitoring and effective management, ensures work activities are safe. Accident investigations are important tools in developing and refining risk management systems. For an investigation to be effective, it requires a methodical, structured approach to gathering the correct information, then collating and analysing it. Findings from investigations form the basis of action plans, which will be aimed at preventing the accident/incident from re-occurring and helps improve the businesses management of risk. The findings also provide help in the review process of Risk Assessments etc, as is required by law and, can also help when a safety audit is carried out.
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