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In the UK 34 million work days are lost annually due to workplace related accidents and illness. Worryingly, this is almost entirely avoidable. In fact, it's easy to break the painful and expensive cycle, if you learn exactly where your business is going wrong.

To do that, you need to accurately record and investigate every accident which unfortunately occurs. Then you can find a more accurate solution - which will not only benefit your employees but your businesses financial security too. You can recover lost hours and avoid the expensive claims, property damage and legal non-compliance charges that accidents can bring.

Why make an unnecessary dent in your profits when the solution is such an easy one? Follow our simple guide to logging accidents effectively and work towards avoiding them in the future. 

1.             Categorise your accidents

Whether you manage an office, run a busy kitchen or own a plumbing business, your staff face various risks whenever they turn up to work. You need to categorise accidents as follows:

a)         Minor Injury         

b)         Major Injury*        

c)         Lost Time Injury* 

d)         Fatality

e)         Fire*       

f)          Dangerous Occurrence*   

g)         Potential Hazard  

h)         Property Damage            

i)           Near Miss           

j)           Disease*

k)         Security  

l)           Environmental*

To accurately investigate and evaluate costs, it is essential to report and investigate every incident. Report every accident, no matter how small. Remember, you must report the incidents indicated above by * to the enforcing authority - such as The Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

2.             Identify reoccurring accidents

Are they, for example, affecting particular parts of the body? Are the same people repeatedly involved? Do many accidents involve the same hazard or the same area?

3.             Record ‘near misses'

While you escaped injury and property damage this time, you may not be so lucky in future. Record the problem and work towards an effective solution.

4.             Make it a team effort

You're not recording accidents to lay blame, but to try and prevent them from happening again. Your staff should feel confident enough to report and cooperate with you at all times, regardless of the situation.

5.             Use the appropriate Incident Form

Of course, you are required to have an Accident Book. But you may find that it's an inadequate method of describing the incident in detail. You might find a HiViz Safety ‘near miss form' to be more effective.

6.             Investigate thoroughly

Effective and unbiased investigations will identify the contributory factors leading up to the incident and any additional controls that could be implemented.

7.             Allocate responsibilities

Your written reports and investigations should include details of who has undertaken each step of the process.

8.             Communicating thoroughly and continuously

When an accident occurs, everyone involved must understand how your reporting procedures work and what is required of them - so explain their individual responsibilities. You'll need to update them with the results of the investigation and any changes to protocol.

9.             Analyse the stats

HiViz Safety can help you identify trends by carrying out simple statistical analysis of your businesses accident history - making it even easier for you to avoid reoccurring incidents. This safeguards your staffs' safety, and the company bank balance.

10.          Review trends in performance

Carry out periodic reviews every year, and also after any significant changes to your organisation or its personnel.

If you need help with accurately recording accidents at work, or a well-thought out and thorough log to write in - contact HiViz Safety