IOSH Investigating Incidents 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'timeline analysis' in incident investigation?
- Recording when the investigation meetings took place
- A chronological reconstruction of events leading up to, during and after the incident to identify where things went wrong (Correct answer)
- A tool for scheduling corrective actions
- A method for tracking RIDDOR reporting deadlines
Correct answer: A chronological reconstruction of events leading up to, during and after the incident to identify where things went wrong
Timeline analysis plots the sequence of events in chronological order before, during and after the incident. It helps investigators understand the chain of events, identify deviations from normal procedures, and pinpoint where controls failed or were absent.
Question 2: What is the difference between a 'specified injury' and an 'over-7-day' injury under RIDDOR?
- There is no difference
- Specified injuries are defined types of serious injury (fractures, amputations); over-7-day injuries are those causing incapacitation for more than 7 days (Correct answer)
- Specified injuries require ambulance attendance; over-7-day injuries do not
- Specified injuries are fatal; over-7-day injuries are non-fatal
Correct answer: Specified injuries are defined types of serious injury (fractures, amputations); over-7-day injuries are those causing incapacitation for more than 7 days
Specified injuries are particular types of serious injury listed in RIDDOR (fractures, amputations, crush injuries, loss of sight, etc.) that must be reported immediately. Over-7-day injuries are any injuries causing the worker to be incapacitated from normal work for more than 7 consecutive days, reported within 15 days.
Question 3: How should witnesses be interviewed during an investigation?
- All witnesses should be interviewed together in one room
- Individually, as soon as possible after the event, using open questions in a supportive, non-judgemental manner (Correct answer)
- Only in writing, never face-to-face
- Only by the police or HSE inspectors
Correct answer: Individually, as soon as possible after the event, using open questions in a supportive, non-judgemental manner
Witnesses should be interviewed individually (to avoid accounts influencing each other), as soon as practicable (while memories are fresh), using open questions (what, where, when, how), in a supportive, non-judgemental environment. Notes should be taken and verified with the witness.
Question 4: What is the role of the accident book in incident management?
- It replaces the need for RIDDOR reporting
- It provides a statutory record of workplace accidents and incidents, required under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 (Correct answer)
- It is only used for insurance claims
- It is a voluntary record with no legal requirement
Correct answer: It provides a statutory record of workplace accidents and incidents, required under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979
The accident book (BI 510) is a legal requirement. It records details of workplace accidents and incidents, providing important data for identifying trends, supporting investigations, and evidencing events for compensation claims and RIDDOR reporting.
Question 5: What is meant by 'no-blame culture' in incident investigation?
- No one is ever held accountable for anything
- An approach where the focus is on understanding systemic failures rather than blaming individuals, encouraging open reporting (Correct answer)
- A culture where all incidents are ignored
- A culture where blame is shifted to external factors
Correct answer: An approach where the focus is on understanding systemic failures rather than blaming individuals, encouraging open reporting
A no-blame (or just) culture focuses on identifying systemic failures rather than punishing individuals. It encourages open reporting of incidents and near misses because workers are not afraid of being disciplined. However, it does not mean there are no consequences for deliberate or reckless behaviour.
Question 6: What is a 'preventive action' compared to a 'corrective action'?
- They are the same thing
- A corrective action fixes an identified problem; a preventive action stops a potential problem from occurring in the first place (Correct answer)
- Preventive actions are optional; corrective actions are mandatory
- Corrective actions are temporary; preventive actions are permanent
Correct answer: A corrective action fixes an identified problem; a preventive action stops a potential problem from occurring in the first place
A corrective action addresses a problem that has already occurred (reactive), fixing the specific issue identified. A preventive action addresses potential problems before they occur (proactive), based on risk assessment, trend analysis, or lessons from incidents elsewhere.
IOSH Investigating Incidents 4
What is a 'timeline analysis' in incident investigation?