Recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that during 2011/12, there were 173 fatalities at work, a further 111,000 injuries reportable under RIDDOR, 212,000 over-3-day absence and 27 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. The main causes of accidents in the hospitality industry are slips, trips and falls, manual handling, contact with hot surfaces or harmful substances, and cuts from knives.
Accidents can be very costly to your business, both financially and in terms of lost-time and can result in prosecution or employee compensation claims. When an accident or near-miss occurs, it is essential that an investigation takes place to identify the root cause and to implement any corrective action which may be necessary to prevent a recurrence.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, requires employers to plan, organise, control, monitor and review their health and safety arrangements. Accident investigations form an essential part of this process.
In order for an investigation to be effective, it requires a methodical, structured approach to gathering and analysing information. The findings from your investigation will form the basis of an action plan to prevent it happening again and may identify an opportunity to improve your risk assessment for that particular area or activity.
The HSE recommends four steps
- Gathering the information
- Analysing the information
- Identifying suitable risk control measures
- Action plan and its implementation.
For advice on accident reporting and investigation please contact the enquires@foodalert.com