IOSH Investigating Incidents 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'dangerous occurrence' under RIDDOR?
- Any occurrence that makes workers feel unsafe
- A specified near-miss event listed in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR, such as a scaffold collapse, explosion, or electrical short circuit causing fire (Correct answer)
- Any accident that requires first aid
- Any incident involving a contractor
Correct answer: A specified near-miss event listed in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR, such as a scaffold collapse, explosion, or electrical short circuit causing fire
Dangerous occurrences are specific near-miss events listed in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR that must be reported even if no one is injured. Examples include: collapse of scaffolding over 5m, failure of a crane, explosions, electrical incidents causing fire or explosion, and release of biological agents.
Question 2: What occupational diseases must be reported under RIDDOR?
- All common illnesses
- Specified diseases including occupational dermatitis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, HAVS, tendonitis, and certain cancers linked to workplace exposure (Correct answer)
- Only diseases requiring hospitalisation
- Only contagious diseases
Correct answer: Specified diseases including occupational dermatitis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, HAVS, tendonitis, and certain cancers linked to workplace exposure
RIDDOR-reportable occupational diseases include: carpal tunnel syndrome, cramp of the hand/forearm, occupational dermatitis, HAVS, occupational asthma, tendonitis, and any occupational cancer, disease or disorder attributed to workplace exposure as confirmed by a doctor.
Question 3: Who is responsible for reporting incidents under RIDDOR?
- The injured person
- The 'responsible person' — usually the employer, self-employed person, or person in control of the premises (Correct answer)
- The nearest hospital
- The trade union representative
Correct answer: The 'responsible person' — usually the employer, self-employed person, or person in control of the premises
RIDDOR places the reporting duty on the 'responsible person'. For employees, this is usually the employer. For incidents involving the self-employed or people not at work, it is the person in control of the premises where the incident occurred.
Question 4: What is an 'over-7-day incapacitation' injury under RIDDOR?
- Any injury requiring more than 7 days in hospital
- An injury that results in the worker being unable to perform their normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident) (Correct answer)
- An injury that prevents someone from leaving their house for 7 days
- Any injury that requires more than 7 stitches
Correct answer: An injury that results in the worker being unable to perform their normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident)
An over-7-day incapacitation injury is one where the worker is unable to carry out their normal work duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident itself). It must be reported within 15 days of the incident.
Question 5: Why should the scene of an incident be preserved?
- To prevent other workers from using the area
- To protect physical evidence, allow accurate reconstruction, and enable thorough investigation before anything is moved or changed (Correct answer)
- Only because the police require it
- To allow the media to photograph it
Correct answer: To protect physical evidence, allow accurate reconstruction, and enable thorough investigation before anything is moved or changed
Preserving the incident scene protects crucial physical evidence that could be lost if the area is disturbed. It allows investigators to observe conditions as they were, take measurements and photographs, and accurately reconstruct what happened. Scene preservation should be balanced with making the area safe.
Question 6: What should an investigation report contain?
- Only the name and address of the injured person
- Details of the incident, evidence gathered, analysis of causes, root causes identified, recommendations for corrective actions, and implementation timeline (Correct answer)
- Only a brief summary in the accident book
- Only the RIDDOR report reference number
Correct answer: Details of the incident, evidence gathered, analysis of causes, root causes identified, recommendations for corrective actions, and implementation timeline
A thorough investigation report should include: what happened (sequence of events), where and when, who was involved, what evidence was gathered, analysis of immediate and root causes, conclusions, recommendations for corrective actions with assigned responsibilities and timescales, and follow-up arrangements.
IOSH Investigating Incidents 3
What is a 'dangerous occurrence' under RIDDOR?