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Nebosh Igc1 Solutions
Nebosh Igc1 Solutions
Accidental injuries can happen suddenly and disrupt our lives significantly. They
not only affect our health but also bring unexpected financial challenges. In 2021,
work-related injuries alone cost a whopping $167.0 billion. This number included
lost wages and reduced productivity, which amounted to $47.4 billion. These figures
shed light on the substantial economic strain accidental injuries can place on both
individuals and the larger community.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the various costs associated with
accidental injuries. We’ll also explore preventive measures to avoid them,
understand the role of insurance, and discover how different support systems can be
a lifeline in alleviating the financial stress that comes in the wake of these
unexpected events.
The Direct Medical Costs of Accidental Injuries
Accidental injuries not only pose a threat to our physical well-being but also
usher in a tide of financial challenges, both direct and indirect. The first
concern post-injury typically revolves around immediate medical attention, which
often necessitates a visit to the emergency room or an urgent care center. The
medical journey can unfold into various pathways, depending on the severity of the
injury.
For instance, a significant injury like an ACL tear might warrant surgery, where
the ACL surgery cost can carry a hefty price tag. As individuals embark on the road
to recovery, follow-up medical appointments become a critical part of the healing
process. There might be a need for additional surgeries or physiotherapy sessions
to regain full functionality, along with prescribed medications to manage pain and
ward off infections. In more severe cases, long-term care and rehabilitation become
indispensable, further amplifying the financial burden.
Legal Implications and Potential Compensation
Following an accidental injury, particularly when it arises from another
individual’s negligence, the prospect of legal redress becomes a viable route.
However, the legal realm is complex and calls for specialized knowledge. It’s here
that the engagement of a legal professional becomes crucial. Having a local
attorney or legal representative can offer significant benefits, such as
familiarity with local laws and ease of communication.
For instance, an individual who has experienced a mishap like a slip and fall,
which is a common type of personal injury, might need specific legal assistance. If
such an incident occurs in Orange County, it would be prudent to consult with
Orange County slip and fall accident lawyers to get guidance and insights on the
legal landscape in that area. Their local expertise can ascertain potential
settlements or compensation you might be entitled to.
Several legal avenues, like personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation
claims, exist to explore, offering a channel for financial relief. These experts
can help navigate through these legal pathways, aiming to secure fair compensation
that might alleviate the financial burdens accompanying the injury. Through
professional legal assistance, individuals can better understand their rights and
the compensatory measures available to them, providing a semblance of financial
reassurance in the challenging times following an accidental injury.
Indirect Costs Associated With Injuries
The economic impact of injuries extends beyond immediate medical expenses. Many
find themselves unable to resume work for a considerable period, leading to a loss
of income that can strain personal finances significantly. In more grievous
scenarios, an injury might result in a lasting disability, altering your ability to
earn at the previous rate. This diminished earning capacity can cast a long shadow
on your quality of life.
Besides the lost income, individuals might encounter additional unforeseen
expenditures. These could range from making home modifications for improved
accessibility and acquiring mobility aids to other ancillary costs that contribute
to the broader financial strain.
Psychological and Emotional Financial Strains
The aftermath of an accidental injury isn’t just physical. The trauma of the
incident can leave psychological scars. Many find themselves in need of therapy or
counseling to cope with the emotional aftermath and reach post-traumatic growth.
This, of course, has financial implications.
There’s also the impact on family finances to consider. For instance, if a primary
breadwinner cannot work due to an injury, the entire family’s financial stability
can be threatened. On top of all this, medications to manage stress, anxiety, or
depression stemming from the accident further add to the list of expenses.
Insurance and Coverage Gaps
Having insurance can indeed alleviate some of the financial strain from accidental
injuries. But it’s important to know the details of your insurance. Not all medical
procedures or therapies might be covered.
Out-of-pocket expenses can mount quickly if you aren’t careful. And if the injury
prevents you from working, will your insurance cover your lost wages? Health
savings accounts and emergency funds can act as a safety net in these situations,
helping manage the financial fallout more effectively.
Prevention and Financial Preparedness
While we can’t predict when an accidental injury might occur, we can certainly take
steps to minimize risks and be financially prepared. Investing time and resources
in safety measures, whether at home or at work, can help prevent many accidents.
On the financial front, regularly evaluating and updating insurance policies
ensures you have the coverage you need. Also, setting aside funds specifically for
emergencies provides a cushion against unexpected expenses, making it easier to
navigate through challenging times.
Conclusion
The financial implications of accidental injuries are multifaceted, ranging from
direct medical expenses to indirect costs and potential legal implications.
Preparedness and prevention are paramount. By understanding the various costs
involved and taking proactive steps, you can better protect yourself and your loved
ones from the unforeseen financial challenges that accidental injuries can bring.
It’s a call for each one of us to evaluate our readiness and ensure we’re not
caught off guard.
Witnesses
Anyone who has seen or partly seen the events leading up to or taking place during
the accident should be interviewed to determine what they saw and/or heard.
Wherever possible, the investigation method should provide for confirmation of any
evidence — especially any human witness evidence received.
It is useful to use a plan or outline of the area and equipment, etc involved, as
well as any available photographs to prompt the memory processes and assist in
locating the evidence both spatially and temporally.
Witnesses should be handled with care. If traumatised by the incident, it is
generally better to obtain just overview impressions early on, eg by asking
witnesses to briefly write down where they were and what they were doing at the
time of the event. They can then be interviewed in depth later on when they have
had time to adjust to the circumstances and reflect on the situation.
Information required
The information required during an accident investigation will include:
• location, time and date of the incident
• details of persons involved, including any witnesses
• details of injuries and ill health
• damage to plant and equipment
• work activities performed at the time of the incident
• control measures and systems of work employed
• working conditions at the time of the incident (eg ground conditions,
weather, lighting and heating)
• the sequence of events leading to the incident
• organisational arrangements such as supervision, staff training and work
demands (eg production targets)
• the maintenance and cleaning procedures adopted
• materials and substances involved
• safety equipment that was employed.
To collect this information the investigator will need to:
• carry out a visual examination of the scene of the accident or incident
• carry out a visual examination of tools and equipment involved
• take samples from substances or materials involved
• inspect relevant documentation
• interview the injured person, witnesses or others who may have relevant
information.
Photographs, videos, sketches and plans are a useful method of recording the
physical evidence and conditions at the location. Samples may also be taken and
equipment removed for further investigation and examination.
Equipment, plant, machinery and other physical examination
Any equipment, etc involved may need to be examined to determine what part it
played in the accident. In some cases, this may not be easily determined in the
early stages of the investigation and it is generally good practice to undertake
such examinations as early as possible, even though subsequently the evidence may
be discounted. This is especially so in those cases where evidence may be lost
because the plant has to be brought back on line or destruction has to take place
to secure safety, as in the case of a partially collapsed wall.
Detailed photographs, technical reports and sample examinations may be required and
prove useful at a later stage in the investigation. Expert assistance may be
required for this.
When such examinations are undertaken, it is important to advise the
supplier/manufacturer of the details of the examination and invite them to observe
this if they so wish. At all times the liabilities of suppliers and manufacturers
must be considered.
This has an important bearing on any action that might subsequently be taken for
breaches of contract or third-party actions.
The Analysis of Evidence
The analysis of evidence is based on the methods employed in any investigation. A
number of methods are available. It is essential to use a robust method to achieve:
• a good understanding of the sequence of events and circumstances involved in
the accident
• the collection, collation and analysis of evidence.
Before being able to say what caused any accident or what gave rise to the
circumstances in which an accident occurred, it is necessary to know, as far as
possible, the sequence of events leading up to and including the observable
outcome(s). This is regardless of whether the outcome was a minor injury, a
specified injury or a fatality.
In fairly simple accidents, the sequence may be derived from the collation of
witness statements and writing down a commentary of the accident events as if
replaying them. For anything more than the simple cases it is important to have a
rigorous methodology to analyse the sequence of events. Information obtained in any
investigation may sometimes be contradictory, the observations of witnesses are
subject to vagaries and inconsistencies and the information provided must be
checked and cross referenced for verification wherever possible.
A method based on sequential timed event plotting (STEP) for devising a sequence of
events may be helpful to investigators. A timeline is constructed which “maps” the
sequence of events, from a point prior to the accident to a point considered by the
investigator to be the last evidence necessary to explain the events which have
occurred.
A plot is made listing all the witnesses and “players” in the accident down the
side. Across the top, the times at which various events occurred or were seen are
listed in sequence. This type of event plotting not only assists in determining a
clear picture of the sequence but also provides a means of ascertaining
corroboration of evidence and the identification of further areas for
investigation.
Drawing Conclusions
The major purpose of accident investigation is to establish what has happened in
order to reduce the risk of recurrence. The conclusions arising from any accident
investigation must be presented in a form which allows management to create
appropriate action plans.
In drawing conclusions, the apportioning of blame should be avoided. The results of
investigations should solely be to create opportunities for prevention and identify
causes for which a solution can be found. Reports and their conclusions should be
concise, clear and relevant.
One particular conclusion that must be drawn is the underlying, or root cause of
the incident. The HSE has published a comprehensive literature review on the use of
root cause analysis techniques — Contract Research Report CRR325/2001 Root Causes
Analysis: Literature Review. The report outlines the principles, structure and
application of each identified technique and groups these into classes.
Investigation Documentation
During any investigation, it is important to have adequate administration
procedures in place that can keep control of any documentation produced. This will
include witness statements, information on items of plant and equipment, etc and
any communication with employee safety representatives and enforcement officers. It
is also important to keep track of any briefings held with senior managers and any
details provided to the press and other outside bodies.
The continuity of evidence is maintained if a written statement is provided each
time an item of evidence is collected or passed from one person to another, eg an
item of equipment given to a specialist technical examiner.
Relevant documentation
There are many pieces of documentation that may be helpful in accident
investigations and these may include the following.
• Risk assessments of the work carried out at the time of the accident.
• Training records for the work being done.
• Safe working procedures or safe operating procedures relating to the
activity.
• Method statements (if applicable).
• Any special arrangements in place, such as permits to work or emergency
safety procedures.
• Commissioning, repair and maintenance records for any machinery or equipment
being used at the time of the accident.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) issue and training records.
• Personal records for the individuals involved, such as health, discipline,
etc.
• Clock cards or other time-recording records.
• A computer audit trail to pinpoint specific timings relevant to the accident.
• Telephone records (where available) indicating calls made from particular
extensions (especially useful to establish the time the accident was reported).
Investigation Interviews
Interviews should be conducted in a very positive manner with utmost care for the
witness, especially where they may have been traumatised by the event. In some
cases it may help to hold the interview in the location the incident occurred so
the witness can identify equipment and/or locations accurately.
It is best to start by allowing the witness to describe events as they remember
them before asking questions.
Questioning should be “open” so as to assist the witnesses to give their evidence.
Leading questions should be avoided. It does not necessarily matter that facts are
given out of sequence providing that the sequence itself can be pieced together. It
is generally better to let witnesses tell their own story assisted by questions,
such as:
• what happened next
• what did you see
• could you explain that?
Interviews should be conducted separately and as privately as possible. Interviews
should be held as soon as is practicable after the event being investigated. It may
be useful to have available photographs/sketches of the scene so that witnesses can
relate themselves to it and locate themselves with respect to the accident and the
events.
The interviewer must bear in mind that not all witnesses will have an accurate
memory of the incident or be helpful and co-operative. Some may be hostile, and
deliberately misleading. Some may be trying to pursue a false claim or be
attempting to cover up their own actions involved in the accident or be worried
that they are getting a colleague in trouble. Those being interviewed may wish to
be accompanied by a colleague or representative and this should be permitted.
When performing an investigation interview, the following three guiding principles
should be followed.
1. Be sure of the purpose of the interview. When interviewing an individual,
determine what aspects of the investigation they will be able to assist with and
structure the interview questions to ensure that the nature and amount of
information they provide is relevant.
2. Keep an open mind. Assumptions as to the cause of any accident should be
avoided.
3. Get the person to talk. The interviewer must appreciate the pressures that
they may feel during a formal interview.
In the interview, investigators should:
• show concern
• explain clearly to the witness the nature and purpose of the interview
• establish the facts surrounding the accident, for example find out:
what normally happens
what procedures are in place
who is responsible for them
• establish the sequence of events on the day of the accident
• start the questioning with a general, easy, open question (eg “Please could
you tell me what happened on the day of the accident?”)
• follow up by asking a more detailed question relating to a specific part of
the answer (eg “Could you tell me a little more about the way the machinery in
question functions?”)
• probe the answer to check factual details (eg “So was the noise that you
describe normal?”)
• then ask more about specific detail (eg “Was the guard fitted to the
machine?”)
• summarise and seek agreement (eg “So it was normal for two people to operate
the machine, but on that day you were on your own, the machine started making a
funny noise and one of the guards was missing — is that right?”)
• start the sequence again but relating to a different topic
• explain when closing that the witness can come back to the investigator if
they think of any further information, and that investigators may need to go back
to cross check information with the witness from other sources
• close on a positive note by thanking any witness for their time and help.
Statements should be signed by the witness with the date and time of the interview
included.
Determining the Accident/Incident Causes
By careful analysis of the information collected, the investigator (or team) will
be able to identify the causes of the accident. The causes that lead directly to
the accident or incident are called the immediate causes.
According to the HSE, immediate causes can be placed into four sectors as follows:
1. Place or premises where the incident occurred. Causes under this heading will
include:
o inadequate access and egress
o workplaces that are unsuitable (eg due to lack of space) or are being used
incorrectly
o poor work environment and ergonomics
o poor segregation of people from hazards
o lack of warning signs and information.
2. Plant, equipment and substances. Causes under this heading will include:
o use of unsuitable plant, equipment and substances
o poor maintenance of plant and equipment
o improper use and poor guarding of plant and equipment
o misuse and poor storage of substances and materials
o incorrect or lack of personal protective equipment.
3. Process and procedures. Causes under this heading will include:
o safe working procedures not being in place or out of date or inadequate
o lack of supervision of procedures
o lack of training in procedures and processes.
4. People involved. Causes under this heading include:
o use of unsuitable staff
o use of poorly trained and supervised staff
o deliberate violation of procedures by those involved
o lapse due to fatigue, poor motivation, distraction, pressure of work, etc.
Secondary causes
Underlying causes are the unsafe acts or unsafe conditions that lead directly to
each immediate cause and are sometimes called the secondary causes. These can be
grouped under the following headings.
1. Control
o Was there a lack of supervision and monitoring?
o Were people held accountable for their performance?
o Were contractors controlled?
2. Co-operation
o Were staff and their representatives involved in ensuring health and safety?
o Was information shared among those involved in the accident?
3. Communication
o Were duties and responsibilities set out and understood?
o Was information passed on in respect of health and safety?
o Were written safe procedures available?
o How good was internal communication?
4. Competence
o Were those involved competent?
o Was suitable safety training provided?
o Was training effectively delivered?
o Was the competence of contractors checked?
5. Design
o Were the workplace, equipment and controls well designed and set out
properly?
6. Implementation
o Were suitable and sufficient plant, equipment and materials available?
o Was suitable labour available?
o Were cleaning and maintenance arrangements adequate?
o Were there adequate means to report defects, near-misses, safety concerns,
etc?
o Was there adequate monitoring and health surveillance?
7. Risk assessment
o Were adequate assessments carried out?
o Were controls in place as a result of the assessment?
The use of an investigation checklist may assist in answering these questions.
Root causes
The root causes relate to organisational and management control of health and
safety; these allow the underlying and immediate causes to occur. Common examples
are:
• poor communication
• lack of management commitment (often demonstrated by a lack of resource
provision).
It is vital to drill down to identify root causes during an investigation, because
if corrective actions can be effectively implemented, these are likely to reduce
the risk of future harm throughout the organisation.
Identifying causes
Causes are identified when an analysis of the accident is made using a number of
available methods to ascertain the various factors involved. A good understanding
of the sequence of events and an overview of all the evidence is necessary for
success. The causes of an accident will include immediate, underlying and root
causes. The extent to which these are analysed will depend both on the experience
and skills of the investigator, as well as the policy and approach adopted by the
organisation. It is essential that the root/underlying causes of the incident are
identified and dealt with otherwise it is likely that the immediate causes will
reoccur in the future.
Report of Accident Investigation Findings
The initial details of any accident should be recorded in the accident book.
The investigation report supplements this, although the amount of detail required
in a report depends upon the severity or potential severity of the outcome, and the
use made of the investigation and report.
The report should contain:
• time, date and location of the accident/incident
• a summary of what happened
• a summary of events leading up to the accident
• information collected during the investigation
• details of those injured, those who assisted and witnesses
• details of the outcome of the accident (ie injury, loss or damage)
• conclusions including the causes of the event and probability of recurrence
• recommendations and costing of remedial actions
• supporting material (copies of witness statements and interviews, photographs
and sketches)
• the date of the investigation
• the signature of the person carrying out the investigation.
Additional information may be requested to facilitate notifications within and
outside the company (eg relatives, the HSE, insurers and, if applicable, the
police).
The results of the investigation should be widely circulated (taking into account
the General Data Protection Regulation) to ensure that there is no risk of a
recurrence of a similar incident in other areas of the operation. Copies of the
investigation findings may need to be circulated to a number of different parties
as follows:
• managers, supervisors, employees and other departments/sites who have similar
equipment or processes
• maintenance or engineering departments who may have to carry out repairs
and/or modifications
• planning or production control departments who may have to change job
instruction or control documentation
• HR/training departments who may need to implement new or refresher training
• the safety department for inclusion in statistical reports and review of risk
assessments and/or safety procedures
• the department responsible for keeping incident records, completing statutory
reports and notifying the organisation’s insurers
• safety representatives and safety committee members
• the employee or employees who were involved in the accident
• the organisation’s insurer.
The accident investigation policy should specify who is to receive copies of the
report. The investigation team will determine who else needs to receive copies or
other information relevant to the incident.
In the main, the findings will be communicated in writing but in certain cases it
can be verbal, ie briefings for all other employees.
It is recommended that the accident report and investigations should be kept for at
least 3 years or, if exposure to substances has occurred, for at least 40 years.
Remedial Action Following Accident Investigation
Actions should be taken to remedy all of the identified deficiencies. If the
actions are not completed, all the resources invested during the investigation have
been wasted.
When remedial action is required to prevent recurrence, staff should be fully
consulted on any issues that will impact on the activities taking place.
Information, instruction and training in any additional control measures, systems
of work or protective equipment will have to be considered, along with the
potential costs of the remedial action.
It is essential that progress on the identified remedies is closely monitored to
ensure that they do not get unnecessarily delayed or even forgotten. There should
be a follow-up review to ensure that the actions taken are effective and do not
create other unforeseen hazards. The outcome of this review should be recorded.
Records should be kept of all investigations and any existing remedial action.
Management Monitoring
Senior managers should monitor the accident and incident investigation procedures.
In particular they should:
• receive regular reports the progress of remedial action s following
investigation report recommendations
• review “trend analysis” of previous accidents/incidents that may highlight
the need for wider systemic changes
• ensure that investigation procedures are subject to necessary audits and
reviews.
Training
It is important that any investigator should be well trained and have sufficient
authority to be able to undertake investigations.
As a minimum, this training should address the principles of investigation and
provide skills in both the methodologies and the techniques of investigation.
The training provided to those who will carry out an investigation should cover:
• the purpose of an investigation
• the accident and near-miss investigation policy and procedures
• roles and responsibilities of those expected to carry out investigations
• the information that needs to be gathered and recorded following an accident
• interview techniques
• the main theories of accident causation and an understanding of basic,
underlying and root causes of accidents
• the role of human factors in accidents
• report-writing techniques.
A record of staff who are trained to carry out accident investigations should be
maintained.
List of Relevant Legislation
• Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
• Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 2013
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987
• Health and Safety (First-aid) Regulations 1981
• Safety Representative and Safety Committee Regulations 1977
Further Information
Publications
HSE Publications
The following are available from the HSE website.
• CRR325/2001 Root Causes Analysis: Literature Review
• CRR344/2001 Accident Investigation — The Drivers, Methods and Outcomes
• HSG48 Reducing Error and Influencing Behaviour
• HSG65 Managing for Health and Safety
• HSG245 Investigating Accidents and Incidents: A Workbook for Employers,
Unions, Safety Representatives and Safety Professionals
• L146 Consulting Workers on Health and Safety. Safety Representatives and
Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (as amended) and Health and Safety (Consultation
with Employees) Regulations 1996 (as amended). Approved Code of Practice and
Guidance
Other Publications
• Civil Procedure Rules, Ministry of Justice
• Guidance on Investigating and Analysing Human and Organisational Factors
Aspects of Incidents and Accidents, Energy Institute
• BS 45002-3 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems — General
Guidelines for the Application of ISO 45001. Part 3: Guidance on Incident
Investigation
Organisations
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
http://www.hse.gov.uk
The HSE is responsible for the regulation of the risks to health and safety arising
from work activity in England, Scotland and Wales, except in certain businesses
(regarded as lower risk), which are the responsibility of local authorities. Its
roles are to prevent work-related death, injury or ill health.
• Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI)
http://www.hseni.gov.uk
The HSENI is responsible for the regulation of the risks to health and safety
arising from work activity in Northern Ireland.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
https://www.rospa.com
RoSPA is a registered charity that provides information, advice, resources and
training in order to promote safety and prevent accidents in all areas of life.
Members can gain access to a wide range of published guidance, including an
extensive library of safety reports and RoSPA’s journal, Occupational Safety and
Health (OSH).