RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
January 27, 1999
QUICK-FIX FIRMS FAIL TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS
Many companies opt for a quick-fix approach after accidents, rather than carrying out thorough investigations which could save lives in the future, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today.
As part of its campaign to improve the situation, the Society published a discussion document in March 1998, and has been seeking views from major organisations. It has commissioned research at eight companies to look at good practices and policies.
Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, will be speaking on the issue at a conference this week, organised by the Health And Safety Executive to augment its own discussion document launched in November.
He said: "Many companies don’t investigate accidents at all and others just seek to blame the victim for what happened. They are failing to use the accident as a learning opportunity to find out not only why something went wrong, but why it wasn’t prevented in the first place”.
"Instead of taking steps to look at what happened and improving health and safety management, too many companies take quick-fix measures and end up sweeping valuable evidence under the carpet.
"It is known that some companies have simply told workers to take more care following dangerous occurrences, when what was needed was better training for the employees, better management systems, and better safety policies.
"There is still no clear legal requirement for employers to carry out adequate and suitable investigation."
The conference, ‘Duty to Investigate Accidents’, will be held at the HSE, Rose Court, Southwark Bridge, London, on Friday, January 29.
The aim is to debate whether it is necessary to amend health and safety law to require employers to investigate accidents and the impact that this could have.
The Society commissioned a discussion document from Dr John Kingston, an authority in accident investigation, which was produced in March 1998, and followed by the current research project.
