Accident and Incident Reporting Flashcards

What is a 'near miss' in the context of railway track safety?

Answer: An unplanned event that had the potential to cause harm but did not result in injury or damage

A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so — reporting these helps prevent future accidents.

Which UK organization is responsible for independently investigating serious railway accidents and incidents?

Answer: The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is the independent body responsible for investigating serious railway accidents to improve safety, not to apportion blame.

Under RIDDOR, which of the following injuries to a track worker must be reported?

Answer: A fracture to any bone excluding fingers, thumbs, and toes

RIDDOR requires reporting of specified injuries including fractures to any bone other than fingers, thumbs, or toes, as these are classified as serious injuries.

What does RIDDOR stand for in relation to workplace safety?

Answer: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

RIDDOR stands for Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations — the legal framework requiring employers to report certain workplace incidents.

Who is primarily responsible for ensuring a workplace injury to a track worker is reported under RIDDOR?

Answer: The employer or person in control of the work site

Under RIDDOR, the duty to report falls on the employer (or the responsible person in control of the premises or work activity), not on the injured worker.

A track worker experiences an over-three-day incapacitation injury. Under RIDDOR 2013, within how many days must this be reported?

Answer: Within 7 days of the accident

Under RIDDOR 2013, an over-seven-day incapacitation injury (unable to do usual work for more than 7 consecutive days) must be reported within 15 days, while over-three-day injuries must be recorded but not reported — however, specified and fatal injuries must be reported within 10 days; within 7 days is the standard for over-7-day injuries.

What is the primary purpose of reporting near misses and accidents in railway track work?

Answer: To learn from events and implement improvements to prevent recurrence

The primary purpose of incident reporting is to learn from what went wrong and implement corrective actions so that similar events do not occur in the future.