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Investigation
Criteria 2005
The new 2005 criteria are very similiar to the criteria
initially published in April 2001.
In
its paper to the HSC, the HSE that:
"The
revised criteria seek to change the relative mix
of incidents selected for investigation, they do
not propose any increase or decrease in the total
amount of time spent on investigation."
It
should be noted that this new policy does not bind
Local Authorities but is provided:
"on
an advisory basis to assist with the system of investigation
priorities."
Criteria
for Selection for Investigation of RIDDOR Notifications
(Except gas incidents reported under RIDDOR reg 6(1)
and 6(2))
| 2.
Major injuries |
| |
The
following RIDDOR-defined major injuries to all
persons, including non-employees, irrespective
of cause:
| (1) |
all
amputations of digit(s) past the first joint; |
| (2) |
amputation
of hand/arm or foot/leg; |
| (3) |
Serious
multiple fractures (more than one bone,
not including wrist or ankle) |
| (4) |
crush
injuries leading to internal organ damage,
e.g. ruptured spleen |
| (5) |
head
injuries involving loss of consciousness; |
| (6) |
burns
and scalds covering more than 10% of the
surface area of the body; |
| (7) |
permanent
blinding of one or both eyes; |
| (8) |
any
degree of scalping, and |
| (7) |
asphyxiations. |
|
| |
All
Incidents which result in a RIDDOR-defined major
injury in the following categories:
| (1) |
workplace
transport incidents; |
| (2) |
electrical
incidents; |
| (3) |
falls
from a height of greater than 2 metres; |
| (4) |
any
incident which arose out of working in a
confined space |
See
OM 2003/103 for consideration of investigation
of work-related incidents. |
| 3.
Occupational diseases |
| |
All
reports of cases of occupational disease that
meet the criteria of reportability under RIDDOR,
except those arising from circumstances/situations
which have already been investigated. |
| 4.
Breach of Health and Safety Law |
| |
Any
incident where there is likely to have been
a serious breach of health and safety law where,
in accordance with the Enforcement Management
Model, the national enforcement expectation
would determine a notice or a prosecution.
|
| 5.
Incidents Arising from HSC's Strategic Priorities |
|
In
2004 HSC published its Strategy for workplace
health and safety in Great Britain to 2010 and
beyond. A key aim of the Strategy is to optimise
the use of resources by targeting them where they
can have the most impact. In pursuit of this objective
HSC/E have developed Strategic Programmes which
define the priorities for intervention activities.
These priorities will include criteria for selecting
incidents for investigation, the details of which
will be published as part of this document. |
| 6.
Serious Concern |
| |
All
incidents likely to give rise to serious public
concern. This reflects the views of the public
at large not just those of an individual. Consider
in particular
| 1 |
incidents
involving children, vulnerable adults, and
multiple casualties where the outcome or
potential outcome or breach is serious. |
| 2 |
Dangerous
occurrences with the potential for directly
causing the deaths of anyone or major injuries
to a number of people, |
|
| 7.
Disqualifying Criteria |
| |
Any
of the following circumstances will disqualify
the incidents and diseases in paragraphs 2-6 above
from investigation.
| (1) |
inadequate
resources or other developing priorities
prevent investigation - in this circumstance
the incident must be referred to the Head
of Operations; |
| (2) |
no
reasonably practicable precautions available
for risk reduction; |
| (3) |
investigation
is impracticable (e.g. witnesses or evidence
are unavailable, or disproportionate effort
would be required to obtain them such as
business or workplace no longer exist, ship
has sailed); |
| 3) |
incidents
of non-fatal injuries in paragraph 2 or
occupational diseases to members of the
public will be investigated in accordance
with the
established policy on section 3 of the Health
and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
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