Dealing with the aftermath of an accident

The consequences of any accident, particularly a serious one, can be profoundly disturbing for everyone involved, even if they have not suffered physical injury, and may affect their subsequent decisions. The following actions need to be taken after an incident to reduce the risk of further injury and/or damage.

The actions you should take, in priority order, are:

1. make the area safe/prevent further injuries or damage, for example:
   1. call for help;
   2. isolate all power sources;
   3. remove all sources of ignition;
   4. where possible, appoint someone to keep bystanders at a safe distance;
   5. call for first aid, as required; and
   6. where necessary, call the emergency services via 999.

2. provide medical assistance to all injured persons:
   1. help/comfort the injured until first aid arrives;
   2. work with the first aider(s) as required;
   3. arrange for emergency services to be guided to the site of the accident as appropriate; and
   4. provide any assistance requested by the emergency services.

3. advise the following people:
   1. manager of the area (who should, in turn, advise other members of the management team as appropriate);
   2. reception/switchboard operator;
   3. injured person’s next of kin or other relatives;
   4. your competent health and safety adviser (who should, in turn, advise the HSE, as appropriate); and
   5. internal contact for insurance matters (who should, in turn, advise your EL insurance broker/insurer).

4. isolate the area, gather information and make reports:
   1. mark off the area (with at least tape, or barriers);
   2. keep the area clear of all people except those authorised to enter;
   3. take photographs, measurements and sufficient details (see format for accident investigation) and record them all;
   4. produce an accident report and circulate to all interested parties;
   5. liaise with your health and safety adviser to establish the likelihood of an on-site investigation by your enforcing authority. If this is likely, then ensure arrangements are in place to leave the area undisturbed, pending their arrival. It is also important that the area is undisturbed for your own internal investigation; and
   6. when they have returned the area back to your control, continue with steps 5 and 6 below.

5. instigate investigation:
   1. use the information in line with carrying out an investigation.

6. repair all damage and re-open the area for normal activity:
   1. repair all damage, returning equipment to its original specification;
   2. keep the area closed to all unauthorised people until the repairs are complete and the equipment has been released for normal operation (on occasions, this may need release paperwork from the HSE and/or insurers);
   3. advise the operators of the work done to repair the equipment, including any changes that may have been made due to necessary upgrades etc.; and
   4. monitor the early operation of the equipment to ensure its safe operation and use, as appropriate.