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
Why should workplace incidents be investigated?
Answer: To identify root causes, prevent recurrence, comply with legal duties, and improve safety management
Incident investigations serve multiple purposes: identifying root causes (not just immediate causes), preventing recurrence, meeting legal requirements (RIDDOR), gathering evidence, improving safety systems, learning lessons, and demonstrating due diligence. The aim is prevention, not blame.
What is the difference between an 'immediate cause' and a 'root cause' of an incident?
Answer: An immediate cause is the direct trigger; a root cause is the underlying systemic failure that allowed the incident to happen
The immediate (direct) cause is what directly triggered the incident (e.g., a spill on the floor). The root cause is the underlying systemic failure that allowed the conditions to exist (e.g., no cleaning schedule, inadequate supervision, poor training). Addressing root causes prevents recurrence.
What does RIDDOR stand for?
Answer: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers, the self-employed and those in control of premises to report certain workplace incidents to the HSE.
Which of the following is reportable under RIDDOR?
Answer: A fracture (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes), amputation, or an injury causing incapacitation for more than 7 consecutive days
RIDDOR-reportable injuries include: deaths, specified injuries (fractures other than fingers/thumbs/toes, amputations, crush injuries, loss of sight, burns, scalping, loss of consciousness), over-7-day incapacitation, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences.
Within what timeframe must a RIDDOR-reportable death or specified injury be reported?
Answer: Without delay — by the quickest practicable means, followed by a written report within 10 days
Deaths and specified injuries must be reported without delay by the quickest practicable means (usually by telephone to the HSE). This must be followed by a written report (online Form F2508) within 10 days. Over-7-day incapacitation injuries must be reported within 15 days.
Why is it important to investigate 'near misses'?
Answer: Near misses reveal hazards and control failures that could cause serious harm in different circumstances
Near misses are valuable learning opportunities. They reveal hazards and failures in controls without the cost of actual injury. Investigating them identifies weaknesses that can be corrected before a similar event causes serious harm. The same root causes underlie both near misses and accidents.