Created on: 14 Sep 2026
Importance of Workplace Investigations
Workplace investigations are essential for identifying the causes of accidents and incidents, understanding what went wrong, and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences.
These investigations help organisations learn from their mistakes and improve their health and safety management systems. By thoroughly investigating adverse events, employers can reduce risks, protect employees, and avoid costly disruptions and legal consequences.
Legal Requirements
The legal framework for workplace investigations is primarily governed by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These regulations require employers to plan, organise, control, monitor, and review their health and safety arrangements.
Investigating accidents and incidents is a crucial part of this process. Additionally, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) mandates the reporting of certain types of incidents to the relevant authorities.
Types of Events to Investigate
Not all adverse events need to be investigated with the same level of detail. The decision to investigate should be based on the potential consequences and the likelihood of recurrence. Serious accidents, near misses, and undesired circumstances that could lead to significant harm should be thoroughly investigated. Even minor incidents can provide valuable insights and help prevent more serious accidents in the future.
Conducting the Investigation
A successful investigation requires a methodical and structured approach. This involves gathering information from various sources, including physical evidence, witness statements, and documentation.
The investigation team should include individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, such as health and safety professionals and union Safety Representatives. The team should analyse the information to identify immediate, underlying, and root causes of the adverse event.
Rights of the Safety Representative
Union safety representatives have the right to be involved in workplace investigations.
Their involvement ensures that the investigation is thorough and unbiased. Safety representatives can:
Their involvement helps to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and that the findings lead to effective improvements in workplace safety.
Implementing Findings and Recommendations
The goal of a workplace investigation is to develop an action plan to prevent future adverse events. It is essential to communicate the findings and recommendations to all relevant parties and ensure that the action plan is implemented effectively. Regular monitoring and review of the action plan will help maintain a safe working environment.
What to do after an accident or incident
Essential steps for Safety Reps:
After an accident
At the Scene of an Accident or Incident
Get to the scene: the sooner Safety Reps can get to the scene of the accident the better. If an accident occurs in your own work area you will know about it. If members are dispersed over a wide area, make sure they know how to contact Safety Reps or negotiate an agreement with management to inform Safety Reps without delay of any accident.
Under the SRSCR Safety Reps have the right to carry out an accident inspection where it is ‘reasonably practicable’ for them to do so. Strictly speaking, under regulation 6(1), this right only applies to reportable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences.
However, it may only emerge that an event is reportable as a result of making an inspection, and it is not always possible to tell in advance whether the injuries caused by an accident will put a person off work for long enough to make the accident reportable.
In any case, Safety Reps have a right under Regulation 4(1)(a) to examine the causes of accidents and to investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences.
Check first aid: it is important to make sure that all injured workers get appropriate first aid treatment or medical attention and are not rushed back to work or into making a statement.
Any inadequacies in the speed with which treatment is provided should be taken up with management. Make sure nothing is moved: it is also important to be vigilant and to prevent the scene of an accident being disturbed before an investigation has been done since it is easy for an unscrupulous employer to alter the scene of an accident before the insurance company arrives.
The only acceptable reasons for moving anything are rescue and safeguarding against further hazards. This is emphasised in Guidance Notes 23 and 24 of the SRSCR:
“It may be necessary, following an accident or dangerous occurrence, for the employer to take urgent steps to safeguard against further hazards. If he does this, he should notify the Safety Rep of the action he has taken and confirm this is writing. The examination must not, however, include interference with any evidence or the testing of any machinery, plant equipment or substance which could disturb or destroy the factual evidence before any inspector from the appropriate enforcing authority has had the opportunity to investigate as thoroughly as is necessary in the circumstances of the accident or occurrence.”
If things have been moved by the time Safety Reps arrive on the scene, a note should be made of the changes and statements should be taken to back this up.
Ideally the area should be cordoned off and somebody appointed to check that nothing is moved, either by management or workers.
Recording the incident
Employers are required by law to record details of accidents and this is commonly overtaken
via an accident book (this can be any recorded format).
Understanding RIDDOR
1. What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations. It is a legal requirement for employers and those in control of work premises
to report and keep records of certain types of work-related incidents.
These include:
• Work-related fatalities.
• Specified injuries to workers.
• Diagnosed cases of reportable occupational diseases.
• Certain dangerous occurrences (incidents or injuries to workers which result in
them being incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days immediately following
the day of the accident (Regulation 4)).
• Non-fatal injuries to people other than workers (such as visitors to a school or
volunteers) which result in them being taken directly to hospital for treatment, or
specified injuries to non-workers which occur on hospital premises (regulation 5).
The purpose of RIDDOR is to inform the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about these
incidents so they can ensure compliance with health and safety laws.
2. Who Should Report?
Reports under RIDDOR should be submitted by the “responsible person,” which typically
includes:
• Employers (in relation to their workers).
• Self-employed individuals (in relation to their own work).
• Those in control of work premises (e.g., site managers).
These individuals have a duty to report any work-related accidents or events that fall under
RIDDOR’s criteria.
3. Reportable Injuries
The following injuries are reportable under RIDDOR when they result from a work-related
accident:
• The death of any person.
• Specified injuries to workers (e.g., fractures, amputations).
• Injuries that incapacitate workers for more than seven consecutive days.
• Non-fatal injuries to non-workers (e.g., pupils or visitors ) that require hospital
treatment.
4. Reportable Accidents
A reportable accident is defined as a separate, identifiable, unintended incident that causes
physical injury. This includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work. Gradual,
cumulative exposures to hazards are not classified as accidents under RIDDOR.
5. Work-Related Accidents
An accident is considered work-related if it arises out of or in connection with work
activities. Factors to consider include:
• The nature of the work being done at the time.
• The involvement of machinery, equipment, or substances.
• The condition of the workplace.