August 11, 2004—The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on how to investigate accidents and incidents, including near misses. The guidance, which was prepared in consultation with industry, unions, and health and safety professional bodies, is intended as a first step in introducing organizations to the benefits of carrying out investigations and the methods by which accidents should be recorded and investigated, and the findings acted upon.
The guidance is aimed primarily at small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where it is often difficult to build up an expertise in investigating, although larger organizations may also find it helpful. No previous expertise is needed to use the workbook and guidance notes that take the user step-by-step through the investigating process from start to finish and include worked examples and blank template forms for accident analysis.
Copies of “Investigating accidents and incidents—a workbook for employers, unions, safety representatives and safety professionals” (HSE Ref. HSG245) are available from HSE Books Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA (Tel: 01787-881165).
