Accidents and the financial

implications for the business

Task 1
It is important to keep and properly maintain accident and incident records as they can
be used for several, noteworthy purposes. For example, they can be used to recognise
trends within accidents and incidents, helping to identify specific problem areas. This
allows the company to focus their efforts on improving the areas that have been
identified as high risk.
While it is only a legal requirement to keep records of reportable injuries, over-three day
injuries, disease or dangerous occurrence, it is recommended that every accident or
incident that occurs is properly recorded and kept as a just-in-case precaution.
It is also important that these records are properly reviewed on a regular basis by the
relevant, competent person(s). It is important that the competent person(s), usually the
health and safety officer, looks at the records, especially those of accidents, so that the
problems may be addressed accordingly and so that any additional actions, such as
reporting the accident to the HSE under RIDDOR, may be carried out.
In addition to the necessary aspects of recording accidents and incidents, there are some
additional benefits. For example, the costs of maintaining staff after a lost time incident
could double in some instances where it is necessary to continue paying the original
staff-member, while hiring a temporary replacement. By eliminating the risk of accidents
happening, it eliminates the chance that the company will be losing out.

Task 2
Within my own company, DEB Ltd, the procedure for accidents and dangerous
occurrences is almost identical. If an accident happens, first aid should be administered if
needed, and the relevant supervisors and the health and safety officer should be notified
if the injury is serious, then the recording process begins. The accident book or
dangerous occurrence books, located in the first aid room (accident book) or their
respective areas (DO books), are easy and quick to fill out. The first aider will fill out the
accident book in case of minor injuries and the health and safety officer will fill the book
out in case of major injuries. The dangerous occurrence book should be filled out by the
person reporting the dangerous occurrence. It will then be reviewed by the relevant
person, usually a supervisor or manager and the health and safety officer. Feedback as to
what is going to be or has been done about the dangerous occurrence will then be given
to the person that reported it.