Investigating Incidents Flashcards
6 cards from real IOSH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Investigating Incidents flashcards as text
What is 'organisational learning' from incident investigation?
Answer: The process of sharing lessons learned from investigations across the organisation to improve safety systems and prevent similar incidents
Organisational learning involves capturing, sharing and acting on the lessons learned from incident investigations. This includes communicating findings across the organisation, updating risk assessments and procedures, revising training content, and tracking the effectiveness of corrective actions.
What is a 'Fault Tree Analysis' (FTA)?
Answer: A top-down analytical technique that maps the logical combinations of basic events that could lead to an undesired event
Fault Tree Analysis is a top-down deductive approach that starts with the undesired event (the 'top event') and works backwards to identify all the possible combinations of basic events and failures that could have caused it, using logic gates (AND/OR). It helps identify multiple root causes.
How should the effectiveness of corrective actions be monitored?
Answer: Through follow-up inspections, reviews, monitoring of similar incident rates, and feedback from workers
Corrective actions should be monitored to ensure they have been properly implemented and are effective. This includes follow-up inspections, reviewing whether similar incidents continue, getting feedback from workers, and checking that the actions haven't introduced new risks.
What legal records must be kept of workplace incidents?
Answer: Accident book entries (for 3 years from date of entry), RIDDOR reports, and investigation records
Employers must keep accident book entries for 3 years from the date of the last entry. RIDDOR reports must also be kept. Additionally, investigation records, risk assessment reviews, and corrective action records should be maintained as evidence of due diligence and for trend analysis.
What is the 'Swiss Cheese Model' of accident causation?
Answer: James Reason's model showing how accidents occur when holes (failures) in multiple layers of defence align, allowing a hazard to result in harm
James Reason's Swiss Cheese Model illustrates how accidents occur. Each layer of defence (procedures, training, equipment, supervision) has weaknesses (holes). An accident happens when the holes in multiple layers align, allowing a hazard to pass through all defences and cause harm.
What is the importance of investigating incidents involving agency or temporary workers?
Answer: They must be investigated equally as they may reveal gaps in induction, training, supervision or communication specific to temporary workers
Incidents involving agency or temporary workers must be investigated thoroughly. They may reveal specific issues such as inadequate induction, unfamiliarity with site hazards, poor communication, insufficient training, or lack of supervision. Both the host employer and the agency have health and safety duties.