CITB Managers Accident Investigation and RIDDOR 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between an 'immediate cause' and an 'underlying cause' of an accident?
- They are the same — there is only one cause to identify
- The immediate cause is the direct trigger of the accident (e.g., a worker slipped); underlying causes are the management, organisational, or system failures that allowed the condition to exist (e.g., no housekeeping policy) (Correct answer)
- The immediate cause is always the worker's fault; the underlying cause is always a management failure
- Underlying causes are only relevant for fatal accidents
Correct answer: The immediate cause is the direct trigger of the accident (e.g., a worker slipped); underlying causes are the management, organisational, or system failures that allowed the condition to exist (e.g., no housekeeping policy)
Immediate causes are the direct events or conditions that triggered the accident. Underlying (root) causes are the deeper management, organisational, or system failures that allowed the immediate cause to exist — such as lack of training, inadequate supervision, or failure of risk assessment.
Question 2: Who is responsible for reporting a work-related accident to the HSE under RIDDOR 2013?
- The injured worker
- The employer, self-employed person, or person in control of the premises where the incident occurred (Correct answer)
- The principal designer
- Any witness to the accident
Correct answer: The employer, self-employed person, or person in control of the premises where the incident occurred
The duty to report under RIDDOR 2013 rests with the 'responsible person' — the employer (for employed workers), the self-employed person (for their own incapacitation), or the person in control of the premises (for accidents to members of the public).
Question 3: An accident investigation should be completed by:
- The worker who was injured
- A competent person with knowledge of the work, the investigation process, and the authority to recommend and implement corrective actions (Correct answer)
- Any available manager
- Only a health and safety consultant
Correct answer: A competent person with knowledge of the work, the investigation process, and the authority to recommend and implement corrective actions
Accident investigations should be led by a competent person with: knowledge of the work activity, skills in investigation methodology (root cause analysis), and the organisational authority to recommend and ensure implementation of corrective actions.
Question 4: What does the 'iceberg model' in accident investigation represent?
- The physical shape of a construction site hazard
- The concept that for every serious accident there are many more minor injuries and near-misses — the serious incident is the visible tip, below the surface are multiple warning signs that were missed (Correct answer)
- The increasing cost of accidents at higher severity levels
- The level of management awareness of site safety
Correct answer: The concept that for every serious accident there are many more minor injuries and near-misses — the serious incident is the visible tip, below the surface are multiple warning signs that were missed
Heinrich's Triangle (or the iceberg model) illustrates that every serious accident is preceded by many minor injuries and near-misses. Investigating and addressing the near-misses and minor incidents prevents the serious accidents — they are warning signs of a failing safety system.
Question 5: What information should an accident investigation report contain?
- Only the details of the injured person and the date
- A factual account of what happened, a timeline, the immediate and root causes, contributing factors, and specific, timed recommendations for preventing recurrence (Correct answer)
- Only what is required for RIDDOR reporting
- A statement from the injured worker and nothing else
Correct answer: A factual account of what happened, a timeline, the immediate and root causes, contributing factors, and specific, timed recommendations for preventing recurrence
A thorough accident investigation report includes: a factual description of events and a timeline, immediate and root causes, contributing factors, lessons learned, and specific recommendations with responsible persons and completion dates. It should be used to drive genuine improvement.
Question 6: A fatality on a construction site must be reported to the HSE. What other action is required?
- The site can continue to operate normally
- The site (or the affected area) must be preserved as it was at the time of the incident; the police must be informed; the HSE must be notified immediately by the quickest means; and the site must not be disturbed until authorised by the HSE (Correct answer)
- Only written notification to the HSE within 10 days is required
- The principal contractor's insurer must be informed before the HSE
Correct answer: The site (or the affected area) must be preserved as it was at the time of the incident; the police must be informed; the HSE must be notified immediately by the quickest means; and the site must not be disturbed until authorised by the HSE
A fatal accident is a RIDDOR specified injury requiring immediate notification to the HSE. The scene must be preserved for investigation (do not disturb), the police must be informed (as a potential criminal matter), and only once the HSE has authorised can the scene be examined or disturbed.
CITB Managers Accident Investigation and RIDDOR 2
What is the difference between an 'immediate cause' and an 'underlying cause' of an accident?