SCENARIO
The warehouse
You are a newly-hired warehouse worker for the distribution organisation Miller-Oslo (MO). You work in one of their small warehouses with 14 other workers, including the warehouse manager (WM) and two supervisors. Goods weighing up to 1000kg are stored in sealed crates or stacked on pallets and then stretch wrapped. These are then stored on racking until required for shipment by distribution vehicles. There are two loading bays at the back of the warehouse, with floor ramps allowing goods to be loaded onto the vehicles by forklift trucks (FLTs). There is a small kitchen, rest area, toilets for workers, and two side offices - the larger office is the WM’s.
Entrance to the warehouse is by ID card access. There is an intercom system to ring for non-card holders. Visitors who are expected will be escorted while inside the building, and unexpected visitors are denied entrance. On your first day of employment the supervisor on duty gives you a quick tour of the building to start your induction. They make sure you know where the fire exits are before rushing you into the smaller office. Inside, you are seated in front of an old television (TV). Next to the TV is a collection of VHS video cassettes labelled: ‘Induction Part 1’; ‘Part 2 - Fire Safety’; ‘Part 3 - Manual Handling’; and ‘Part 4 - What to Do in an Emergency’. The supervisor leaves you alone while you watch the videos.
The videos appear to apply to all MO warehouses. You learn from the ‘What to do in an emergency’ video that the first-aid box is in reception. You think back to the tour of the building and do not remember seeing a reception area or first-aid box. You learn that personal pagers should be turned off during working hours, and that all accidents or near misses should be reported to your health and safety officer. The video happily states that the health and safety officer will teach you ‘everything you need to know’ about health and safety after the induction ends, and your specific warehouse’s health and safety policies and procedures.
The supervisor returns four hours later when you have finished watching the videos. They have a box of high visibility vests, hard hats and gloves, that you sort through to find your closest size. With the induction training complete, they give you an ID card then take you back into the warehouse for your job training. You cannot see any painted traffic lines on the ground separating the pedestrian path and FLT routes, as shown in the videos, so you ask the supervisor if the videos were incorrect. They sigh and tell you that the lines have needed repainting for a long time. You ask who the health and safety officer is and learn that the warehouse has been trying to hire someone for that position “for years”
Over the next week you are taught your job tasks by the other workers and become friendly with them. They teach you a few methods to save time, but they are not sure if these methods are causing overloading of the racking closest to the loading bay. Later that day you hear the WM shouting at an FLT driver for taking too long to load an order onto a delivery vehicle. The WM gives the FLT driver an immediate verbal warning for causing delays. You overhear the WM muttering that they will not let their reputation of keeping the warehouse ahead of schedule be ruined. The workers nearby whisper “avoid the WM because they only come out of their office when angry”. They also mention that this driver has not even been given time off to complete their FLT training.
The crash
Later that day, as you pass a loading bay you see an FLT speeding around the corner towards you. The driver notices you, panics and desperately tries to change direction. This driver is the one who was shouted at earlier. You jump back onto the loading bay ramp to avoid the FLT. You slip and twist your ankle. You fall to the ground screaming and your ankle swells painfully. The driver swerves the FLT away from the ramp, but the vehicle begins to tilt. They try to recover the situation but within seconds the FLT topples sideways into the nearby racking. The racking collapses and an avalanche of metal and pallets buries the driver.
A week later, after the warehouse has reopened, the workers call a meeting. You are on sick leave for your injured ankle but decide to attend. When you arrive, you hear shouting from the smaller office. The shouting does not stop as you enter, and you see all of the workers are there, except the FLT driver. Several people are having a loud argument with the WM. The WM notices you sitting down and resting your leg in an ankle brace on a chair. They sneer and point out that this meeting cannot be so important if the FLT driver cannot be ‘bothered’ to show up. The room goes silent. Everyone is horrified by the WM’s comments. One of the workers informs the WM that the FLT driver is in hospital. As a result of the accident they are in a coma and have a crushed skull. The WM finally stops arguing.
Your colleagues demand change. This was the worst accident so far and “cannot be ignored this time”. Eventually the WM reveals that MO are hiring a health and safety consultant to make recommendations for improvements. The WM then starts arguing again, blaming the FLT driver entirely for the accident. They claim this meeting is an excuse for everyone not to work and that they will never allow a worker-demanded meeting again
The health and safety consultant (HSC)
The HSC arrives two days later. They spend the first day talking with the WM and looking through paperwork. The next day the HSC gathers the workers and supervisors together, deliberately excluding the WM. They introduce them self, then explain that they will speak to everyone as a group to better understand the warehouse and workforce. They will also speak to everyone individually but assure them that conversations will be confidential.
The two supervisors welcome the HSC because “management might finally listen”. Everyone had been complaining about time pressure and safety concerns for months. They were ignored, so they stopped trying to talk to the WM about it. One of the supervisors says that they are meant to be taking a NEBOSH qualification on behalf of the warehouse, but they have repeatedly been refused time off to study. Another worker furiously recalls that the traffic route lines were meant to be repainted yearly, but the WM always cancelled it because the work would “cause delays”.
Task 7: Reporting the accident
7 (a) Why must this accident be reported by the employer to the competent
authority?
You are a newly-hired warehouse worker for the distribution organisation Miller-Oslo (MO). You work in one of their small warehouses with 14 other workers, including the warehouse manager (WM) and two supervisors. Goods weighing up to 1000kg are stored in sealed crates or stacked on pallets and then stretch wrapped. These are then stored on racking until required for shipment by distribution vehicles. There are two loading bays at the back of the warehouse, with floor ramps allowing goods to be loaded onto the vehicles by forklift trucks (FLTs). There is a small kitchen, rest area, toilets for workers, and two side offices - the larger office is the WM’s.
Entrance to the warehouse is by ID card access. There is an intercom system to ring for non-card holders. Visitors who are expected will be escorted while inside the building, and unexpected visitors are denied entrance. On your first day of employment the supervisor on duty gives you a quick tour of the building to start your induction. They make sure you know where the fire exits are before rushing you into the smaller office. Inside, you are seated in front of an old television (TV). Next to the TV is a collection of VHS video cassettes labelled: ‘Induction Part 1’; ‘Part 2 - Fire Safety’; ‘Part 3 - Manual Handling’; and ‘Part 4 - What to Do in an Emergency’. The supervisor leaves you alone while you watch the videos.
The videos appear to apply to all MO warehouses. You learn from the ‘What to do in an emergency’ video that the first-aid box is in reception. You think back to the tour of the building and do not remember seeing a reception area or first-aid box. You learn that personal pagers should be turned off during working hours, and that all accidents or near misses should be reported to your health and safety officer. The video happily states that the health and safety officer will teach you ‘everything you need to know’ about health and safety after the induction ends, and your specific warehouse’s health and safety policies and procedures.
The supervisor returns four hours later when you have finished watching the videos. They have a box of high visibility vests, hard hats and gloves, that you sort through to find your closest size. With the induction training complete, they give you an ID card then take you back into the warehouse for your job training. You cannot see any painted traffic lines on the ground separating the pedestrian path and FLT routes, as shown in the videos, so you ask the supervisor if the videos were incorrect. They sigh and tell you that the lines have needed repainting for a long time. You ask who the health and safety officer is and learn that the warehouse has been trying to hire someone for that position “for years”
Over the next week you are taught your job tasks by the other workers and become friendly with them. They teach you a few methods to save time, but they are not sure if these methods are causing overloading of the racking closest to the loading bay. Later that day you hear the WM shouting at an FLT driver for taking too long to load an order onto a delivery vehicle. The WM gives the FLT driver an immediate verbal warning for causing delays. You overhear the WM muttering that they will not let their reputation of keeping the warehouse ahead of schedule be ruined. The workers nearby whisper “avoid the WM because they only come out of their office when angry”. They also mention that this driver has not even been given time off to complete their FLT training.
The crash
Later that day, as you pass a loading bay you see an FLT speeding around the corner towards you. The driver notices you, panics and desperately tries to change direction. This driver is the one who was shouted at earlier. You jump back onto the loading bay ramp to avoid the FLT. You slip and twist your ankle. You fall to the ground screaming and your ankle swells painfully. The driver swerves the FLT away from the ramp, but the vehicle begins to tilt. They try to recover the situation but within seconds the FLT topples sideways into the nearby racking. The racking collapses and an avalanche of metal and pallets buries the driver.
A week later, after the warehouse has reopened, the workers call a meeting. You are on sick leave for your injured ankle but decide to attend. When you arrive, you hear shouting from the smaller office. The shouting does not stop as you enter, and you see all of the workers are there, except the FLT driver. Several people are having a loud argument with the WM. The WM notices you sitting down and resting your leg in an ankle brace on a chair. They sneer and point out that this meeting cannot be so important if the FLT driver cannot be ‘bothered’ to show up. The room goes silent. Everyone is horrified by the WM’s comments. One of the workers informs the WM that the FLT driver is in hospital. As a result of the accident they are in a coma and have a crushed skull. The WM finally stops arguing.
Your colleagues demand change. This was the worst accident so far and “cannot be ignored this time”. Eventually the WM reveals that MO are hiring a health and safety consultant to make recommendations for improvements. The WM then starts arguing again, blaming the FLT driver entirely for the accident. They claim this meeting is an excuse for everyone not to work and that they will never allow a worker-demanded meeting again
The health and safety consultant (HSC)
The HSC arrives two days later. They spend the first day talking with the WM and looking through paperwork. The next day the HSC gathers the workers and supervisors together, deliberately excluding the WM. They introduce them self, then explain that they will speak to everyone as a group to better understand the warehouse and workforce. They will also speak to everyone individually but assure them that conversations will be confidential.
The two supervisors welcome the HSC because “management might finally listen”. Everyone had been complaining about time pressure and safety concerns for months. They were ignored, so they stopped trying to talk to the WM about it. One of the supervisors says that they are meant to be taking a NEBOSH qualification on behalf of the warehouse, but they have repeatedly been refused time off to study. Another worker furiously recalls that the traffic route lines were meant to be repainted yearly, but the WM always cancelled it because the work would “cause delays”.
Task 7: Reporting the accident
7 (a) Why must this accident be reported by the employer to the competent authority?
Task 7(A) Reporting the accident
Reporting
the accident described in the scenario to the competent authority is not only a
legal requirement i but also a crucial step in ensuring workplace safety and
compliance with ethical principles. Here are the reasons why this accident must
be reported by the employer to the competent authority:
- Legal Obligation:
In many
countries, employers are legally mandated to report workplace accidents to the
competent authority. Failing to do so can result in legal penalties and fines
for non-compliance.
- Worker Protection:
Reporting
the accident is essential for ensuring that injured workers receive the
necessary medical attention and support. It is a fundamental part of protecting
the rights and well-being of employees.
- Investigation and Accountability:
Reporting
the accident initiates an investigation by the competent authority. This
investigation aims to determine the root causes of the accident and whether any
violations of safety regulations or laws occurred. Accountability for any
wrongdoing or negligence can result from this investigation.
- Preventive Measures:
The
competent authority's investigation may identify unsafe conditions or practices
that contributed to the accident. Reporting the accident allows for corrective
actions to be taken promptly to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Data Collection and Analysis:
The accident
report becomes part of the database that the competent authority uses for data
collection and analysis. This data is invaluable for tracking trends,
identifying workplace hazards, and developing targeted safety initiatives and
regulations.
- Ethical Responsibility:
Ethically,
employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their
employees. Reporting accidents is part of fulfilling this moral obligation.
- Lesson Learning and Continuous Improvement:
Reporting
accidents and subsequent investigations enable organizations to learn from past
mistakes and improve safety measures. It contributes to a culture of continuous
improvement in safety practices
- Statistical Reporting:
The statistics generated from accident reports can inform policymakers, researchers, and safety professionals about the prevalence and nature of workplace accidents. This information helps in shaping policies and interventions aimed at improving workplace safety.
- Public Accountability and Transparency:
Reporting accidents to the competent authority enhances transparency and accountability. It allows the public, including employees and the community, to assess an organization's safety record and ensure that it is taking adequate measures to protect its workers.
7(b) How should the employer notify the competent authority about this accident?
Note: You should support your answer, where applicable, using relevant information from the scenario.
The process for notifying the competent authority about a workplace accident can vary depending on the specific regulations and requirements in the states and countries where the accident occurred. However, here are general steps that employers should follow when notifying the competent authority:
- Immediate Response to the Accident:
Ensure that
immediate medical attention is provided to any injured employees. Safety and
health should be the top priority.
- Secure the Accident Scene:
Take steps
to secure the accident scene to prevent further injuries or damage. This may
involve isolating the area or shutting down equipment if necessary.
- Gather Information:
Collect all
relevant information about the accident, including the date, time, location,
and a detailed description of what happened. Gather names and contact
information for individuals involved and any witnesses.
- Document Injuries and Damages:
Document the
extent of injuries, property damage, or environmental impact resulting from the
accident. This documentation will be important for reporting purposes.
- Notify Senior Management:
Inform
senior management or the designated responsible person within the organization
about the accident. They will need to be aware of the situation and may be
involved in the reporting process.
- Consult Applicable Regulations:
Review the
specific regulations and legal requirements related to reporting accidents in
your jurisdiction. This information can often be found in occupational health
and safety laws or regulations.
- Identify the Competent Authority:
Determine
which government agency or competent authority is responsible for receiving
accident reports. This information can usually be found on government websites
or by contacting the relevant regulatory agency.
- Complete the Required Forms:
Many
jurisdictions require the completion of specific accident reporting forms.
These forms typically request details about the accident, injuries, and the
organization involved. Ensure that all required fields are accurately filled
out.
- Submit the Report:
Submit the
completed accident report to the competent authority according to their
specified procedures. This may involve submitting the report electronically,
via mail, or in person, depending on the agency's requirements.
- Retain a Copy:
Keep a copy
of the accident report for the organization's records. This copy may be
necessary for internal investigations, insurance claims, or future reference.
- Cooperate with Investigations:
Be prepared
to cooperate fully with any investigations conducted by the competent
authority. This may involve providing additional information, allowing access
to the accident site, and participating in interviews or
inspections.
- Implement Corrective Actions:
If the
competent authority's investigation reveals safety deficiencies, take prompt
corrective actions to address these issues and prevent similar accidents in the
future.
- Maintain Records:
Maintain
records of the accident report, investigation findings, and actions taken to
address safety concerns. These records may be subject to review by regulatory
agencies.
It is
essential for employers to familiarize themselves with the specific reporting
procedures and timelines required by their local or national regulatory
authorities. Non-compliance with reporting requirements can result in legal
consequences, so it is crucial to adhere to the established procedures
accurately and promptly.
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