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May/June Issue 61 - Flipbook - Page 11


NEWS
SAFETY INCIDENT DATA FOR RESCUE AND RECOVERY
I
t is almost impossible to measure
the safety record of the rescue and
recovery industry because the safety
incident data is fragmented across
various agencies and organisations,
meaning there is no single place that
holds all the data.
may occur whether in the yard or on the
roadside, via the IVR’s website.
HOW DO I REPORT A SAFETY
INCIDENT?
WHAT IS A ‘SAFETY INCIDENT’?
Please report via the website: www.
theivrgroup.com or email details to mail@
theivrgroup.com.
Individual vehicle recovery operators
hold near miss data and details of safety
incidents that occur with their technicians
but rarely share it or know what they should
do with it. The IVR collates some near miss
data through its website. The Police hold
road traffic collision data through STATS19
(RTCs that result in a personal injury and
were reported to the Police within 30 days).
1.
Some Government agencies such as the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) hold
further data where there has been serious
injury or a fatality but then it is not always
labelled as a vehicle recovery incident but
a transport or other type of incident. In fact,
in the case of STATS19 if you are standing
outside of your vehicle when an incident
happens you are labelled as a pedestrian,
not a VRO on official duty.
To exasperate the situation the agencies
involved are often unable to freely share
the information with each other, for example
if there is a Police or a HSE investigation.
If the information is eventually shared, it is
often some way down the line.
Because of this fragmentation the industry
is unable to draw solid conclusions or to
represent itself effectively without the overall
statistics. More importantly, it is unable
to make evidence-based adjustments to
behaviours or training nationally should it
be necessary.
The good news is that the Institute has
adjusted the focus of its website moving it
away from a ‘near miss reporting area’ to
a ‘safety incident reporting area’ for rescue
and recovery. It is requested that ALL in the
industry report ANY safety incidents that
For the purposes of the website a safety
incident is:
2.
Any incident resulting in injury no
matter how serious.
Any incident not causing harm, but that
has the potential to cause injury or ill
health.
Examples of safety incidents could be:
•
•
•
•
another vehicle making contact with
your wing mirror at speed whilst you
are working roadside
a vehicle hitting you or someone else
and causing you harm
a vehicle hitting your cones whilst
working (indicate if it is one cone or all
cones)
a vehicle colliding with your vehicle but
not harming you whilst working
The Institute understands that it is not
always possible to give full details but
please give as many details as you can.
WHO SHOULD REPORT IT?
Ideally anyone who was involved in the
incident or who witnessed the incident or
employers, where an incident has been
reported to them.
HOW WILL THE DATA BE USED?
The data will be anonymised and analysed
for patterns.
The Institute will use this information to
provide safety updates or updates to the
industry National Training Scheme as
necessary, improving safety for technicians
throughout the sector.
You do not have to provide personal
information, although it will help us if you do.
IMPORTANT:Employees
should
additionally report safety incidents and near
misses to their employer, so that they can
adjust their safety management practices
as necessary.
WHAT INFORMATION IS ASKED FOR?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Date and time
Road
type
(roundabout,
dual
carriageway, slip road, blind corner
etc.)
Road surface condition (dry, wet/damp,
snow)
Weather
Light-conditions-(daylight, darkness)
Details of the incident
Type of injury (if applicable)
Other comments
Contact details (optional)
The Institute sees reporting safety incidents
as a very important way of identifying
problem areas for the rescue and recovery
industry. Without the data, it is difficult
for the industry to represent itself with
clear evidence about safety and to take
a balanced, factual view when making
decisions about safety and training. The
hope is the industry will offer up its data, so
it can be collated to obtain a true industry
health and safety picture for the future
wellbeing of all.
The Institute of Vehicle Recovery –
Training today to secure your tomorrow
www.theivrgroup.com
It may be shared as required (names and
identifying factors removed), when working
on solutions with other agencies.
WILL THE IVR TELL HSE OR THE
POLICE?
No, the data will sit with the Institute, if it is
shared it will be with all identifying factors
removed.
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