Health and Safety at Work - Investigation
The health and safety team at Peterborough City Council carry out investigations into complaints and reportable accidents and ill health in relation to the workplaces that they enforce.
Health and safety complaints
Reportable accidents and ill health at work
Certain accidents and ill health are reportable under the 'Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1995'. These reports will be sent to the health and safety team via the Incident Contact Centre at http://www.riddor.gov.uk/. The officers then send a standard letter to all injured persons asking whether they believe an officer should carry out an investigation into the incident. Officers always investigate the most serious injuries, where they believe an offence may have been commited and high priority topics.
The Investigation
All investigations will vary depending upon the circumstances, but should include the following elements:
- Initial contact with injured person/complainant
- Contact with the person responsible for the workplace
- Site visit
- Discussion with employees and/or employee safety representatives
- Collection of evidence (photos, measurements, witness statements, etc)
- Informal or formal enforcement action where necessary
- Feedback to complainant/injured person