Accident and Incident Reporting Flashcards

When a track worker witnesses a near miss, what should they do first?

Answer: Inform the COSS and complete an incident report as soon as possible

Near misses should be reported to the COSS immediately and documented as soon as practicable so that risks can be assessed and controlled without delay.

What is meant by a 'dangerous occurrence' under RIDDOR in the railway context?

Answer: A near-miss or specified event defined in RIDDOR that must be reported even if no one was injured

A dangerous occurrence is a specified near-miss or event listed in RIDDOR (such as a train running through red signals or a structural collapse) that must be reported regardless of whether anyone was injured.

Which of the following details is essential when completing an accident report for a track worker injury?

Answer: The date, time, location, nature of the injury, and how the accident occurred

An accurate accident report must include the date, time, exact location, the nature of the injury sustained, and a factual account of how the accident occurred to support investigation.

What evidence should be preserved at the scene of a track accident before any investigation?

Answer: Physical items, positions of equipment, and environmental conditions should all be preserved where safe to do so

Preserving the scene, including positions of tools, equipment, and environmental factors, is critical for an accurate investigation — as long as this does not create additional risk.

A track worker slips and falls but says they feel fine and do not want the incident reported. What should the COSS do?

Answer: Record the incident in the site accident book regardless of the worker's preference

All accidents and incidents must be recorded in the accident book regardless of whether the worker appears injured at the time, as symptoms may develop later and the record protects both parties.

What is the 'no-blame' culture in railway safety reporting?

Answer: An approach that encourages honest reporting by focusing on systemic issues rather than punishing individuals for genuine mistakes

A no-blame culture encourages workers to report near misses and incidents honestly by focusing on identifying systemic failures rather than punishing individuals for non-deliberate errors.

Which body should be notified in the event of a fatality on a railway construction or maintenance site?

Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the employer must also notify the RAIB if rail operations are involved

A workplace fatality must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR immediately; if rail operations were involved, the RAIB must also be notified as they have jurisdiction over railway incidents.