1. Accident Procedures

2. Accident Procedure
RIDDOR
First Aid

3. Causes of accidents and ill health
What do you think causes accidents or ill health at work?

4. Some examples
Poor design and structure of buildings or equipment such as bad lighting
Bad housekeeping standards
Playing practical jokes
Ignoring rules and taking shortcuts
Not using the correct PPE
Drug or alcohol abuse
Poor/no training

5. Most Frequent Lab Accidents
Splashes/Spills
Needlesticks/Cuts       
Back injuries
Explosions     
Fires     
Exothermic reactions
Toxic fumes     
Mouth pipetting
Animal bites/Scratches

6. PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IF ACCIDENT OCCURS
Depends on scale of accident/incident
Near miss
Minor incident
Major incident
Fatal incident

7. Near misses/minor injuries
Should near misses/minor injuries be reported/recorded?
It could prevent an injury at a later date
It could ensure a safer method is put in place
A seemingly minor injury might be serious in the long term
Keep a log of near misses/minor accidents

8. First Aid at Work The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
Requires assessment of first aid needs
Minimum requirements
A suitably stocked first aid box
An appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements (e.g. restocking) – does not have to be a first aider

9. The appointed person looks after first aid equipment – may or may not be first aider

10. FIRST AIDER First aider Undergone approved training
First aid at work certificate is current
Care given by first aider may make difference to recovery
Employees should know what first aid is available to them

11. An accident occurs!
Assess the situation – stop, look and think – do not
endanger yourself
further endanger injured person
Call for assistance – first aider
Do not move casualty unless necessary
If trained, apply first aid
More serious? – call emergency services
Make a record e.g. accident book

12. MINOR INJURIES REPORTED?
Should minor injuries be reported/recorded?
It could prevent a more serious injury at a later date
It could also ensure a safer method is put in place

13. Why make a record?
Consequences of accident may not be immediately apparent
Investigation of minor incidents can lead to change and prevention of more serious incidents
A serious incident will be investigated by the HSE who will need an accurate record of what happened

14. HSE NEED DETAILS When? Where? Who? What? ? Pictures/sketches
Eyewitness testimony

15. RIDDOR
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
Serious accidents/incidents must be reported to the HSE
i.e. accidents/incidents that could or did result in death or injury
certain diseases

16. How soon to NOTIFY hse?
Death, specified injuries, serious injury, injury to non-worker or dangerous occurrence – notify ASAP (report must be received within 10 days)
Injury resulting in 7 or more days off work – notify within 15 days
Occupational disease – as soon as diagnosis is received

17. REPORTABLE DISEASES 8 categories carpal tunnel syndrome
severe cramp of the hand or forearm
occupational dermatitis
hand-arm vibration syndrome
occupational asthma
tendonitis or tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm
any occupational cancer
any disease attributed to an occupational exposure to a biological agent

18. REPORTABLE INJURIES Deaths
The list of ‘specified injuries’ in RIDDOR (regulation 4) includes:
a fracture, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe
permanent loss of sight or reduction of sight
crush injuries leading to internal organ damage
serious burns (covering more than 10% of the body, or damaging the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs)

19. Cont’d
scalpings (separation of skin from the head) which require hospital treatment
unconsciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space, which leads to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

20. REPORTABLE DANGEROUS OCCURANCES
The collapse, overturning or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment
Plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines
Explosions or fires causing work to be stopped for more than 24 hours

21. BASICS OF FIRST AID AT WORK

22. WHAT TO DO??!! Assess the situation
Ensure electricity is switched of at mains
Call for assistance
If trained, apply first aid
Fill in accident book