Malcolm Rivera
A dangerous occurrence in the workplace is an incident that could have resulted in the death of or serious injury to a worker but didn't. Dangerous occurrences are often referred to as near misses and are typically reportable under workplace safety regulations. Recognizing and reporting these incidents is crucial for maintaining workplace safety, as they provide an opportunity to identify potential hazards, improve safety measures, and prevent future accidents. While the specific dangerous occurrences that must be reported vary by jurisdiction, they generally include incidents involving lifting equipment, pressure systems, electrical incidents causing explosions or fires, structural collapses, hazardous escape of substances, and malfunctioning safety systems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An event that could have led to significant harm or death, even if no one was harmed |
| Reporting | Required by law in some countries, e.g. RIDDOR in the UK |
| Purpose | To identify potential hazards, improve safety measures, and prevent future accidents |
| Examples | Explosions, fires, malfunctioning safety systems, structural collapses, incidents involving lifting equipment |
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What You'll Learn
Explosions and fires
Workplaces with materials and equipment that can easily trigger explosions or fires are at a much higher risk. Some common causes of workplace explosions and fires include combustible dust, flammable liquids and gases, and 'hot' work activities. Combustible dust can accumulate on surfaces and inside machinery, and when disturbed, it can create an explosive atmosphere. Flammable liquids and gases, if not handled with care or properly stored, can come into contact with ignition sources and result in a fire or explosion. 'Hot' work refers to activities that generate sparks and open flames, such as welding, cutting, soldering, grinding, or brazing. These activities, while necessary, require proper training and precautions to ensure safety.
To prevent explosions and fires, employers must take several precautions. Regular maintenance of machinery and electrical systems is essential, along with providing proper personal protective equipment and storing flammable materials safely. Employers should also train workers on safety procedures and conduct regular inspections and hazard analyses to identify potential risks. Implementing stringent safety protocols can effectively mitigate these dangers.
In the unfortunate event of an explosion or fire, multiple parties may be responsible for the incident. Employers are accountable for maintaining a safe workplace free of hazards. If they fail to identify hazardous working conditions or ensure proper training and safety protocols, they may be held negligent. Additionally, third-party lawsuits may be pursued with the help of an experienced legal team to seek justice and compensation for injuries sustained.
It is important to note that regulations like RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) require the reporting and record-keeping of dangerous occurrences, including explosions and fires. This helps create a record of incident types and numbers to understand the risks in different industries and occupations. Employers or responsible persons must report and keep records of gas-related incidents, electrical incidents causing explosions or fires, and other explosions under RIDDOR.
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Equipment failure
Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), equipment failure is considered a dangerous occurrence and must be reported and recorded. This includes any malfunction affecting equipment and its control systems, such as a failure to return to a safe state after the intended exposure period, which is particularly relevant for radiation-emitting equipment.
For electrical equipment, a dangerous occurrence includes equipment failure resulting in fire or explosion, rendering the equipment unusable for over 24 hours, or having the potential to cause death. This also applies to the release of flammable liquids or gases, where ignition would result in a major explosion or fire.
In the case of radiation-generating equipment, a dangerous occurrence is constituted by the failure of the means for de-energising the radiation generator at the end of the intended exposure period. This also includes incidents where equipment malfunction causes a radioactive source to fail to return to a safe, shielded position.
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Near misses
A "near miss" in a workplace context refers to an unexpected event that could have resulted in harm, illness, or property damage but didn't due to fortunate circumstances. Near misses are important indicators of potential safety risks and can help identify underlying health and safety hazards. While not all near misses are legally required to be reported, doing so can help organisations address root causes and enhance risk control measures, creating a safer work environment.
- An employee nearly slips on a recently mopped floor that was not marked with a "wet floor" sign.
- A worker trips over boxes left in a walkway but catches themselves on a nearby table.
- Two incompatible chemicals are nearly mixed, but a double-check of the labels prevents a dangerous reaction.
- A leaking gas cylinder is discovered before causing health issues or explosions.
- An employee almost uses the wrong protective equipment when handling a corrosive substance, but a supervisor intervenes.
- A laboratory reaction starts to overheat, but emergency cooling measures are quickly employed, preventing a potential explosion.
While these incidents did not lead to immediate harm, they highlight potential risks that could have resulted in serious consequences under slightly different circumstances. Recognising and reporting near misses are crucial steps in creating a safer workplace and preventing future accidents.
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Occupational injuries and diseases
Occupational diseases refer to chronic illnesses, diseases, or disorders caused by exposure to specific work conditions or activities over a period of time. These can often be challenging to identify, as symptoms may not appear immediately and can vary in severity. Examples of occupational diseases include noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), asbestos-related diseases, and work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD). NIHL can be permanent and irreversible, resulting from prolonged exposure to sound levels of 85 decibels or higher. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, which can be life-long or fatal. WRULD, including carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, are characterized by pain in the arms caused by repetitive movements or excessive vibrations.
Occupational injuries, on the other hand, are distinct from occupational diseases. They are defined as any personal injury, disease, or death resulting from an occupational accident, which is an unexpected and unplanned event connected to work. These injuries can be fatal or non-fatal and may result in lost work time and incapacity to perform normal job duties.
To ensure workplace safety and compliance, regulations such as RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) have been established. RIDDOR requires employers to report and maintain records of work-related accidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences. It applies to all workplaces and covers specific incidents such as those involving lifting equipment, pressure systems, electrical incidents causing explosions or fires, and hazardous substance releases.
The reporting of occupational injuries and diseases is essential for understanding the risks in different industries and occupations. It enables authorities to advise organizations on risk mitigation and determine the need for further investigations. Additionally, initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) include indicators to measure the frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries to promote sustainable and safe work environments.
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Structural collapses
There are five common types of structural collapse patterns:
- Pancake collapse: Floors fall intact on top of each other, resulting in minimal survivors.
- V-shape collapse: Support breaks in the center, creating a "V" effect with walls still attached, likely due to major structural issues.
- Lean-to-collapse: One side of the floor fails while the other remains intact.
- Lean-to-cantilever: Similar to lean-to-collapse, but the failed side is left hanging freely, with a high risk of a second collapse.
- A-frame collapse: Floor, and sometimes the roof, collapse into an "A" shape.
These collapses can be caused by a variety of factors, including construction activity, earthquakes, fires, explosions, and natural forces such as weather-related structural failures. Weather-related failures can be due to rain/snow accumulation, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, or avalanches. Terrorist attacks can also cause structural collapses, introducing additional hazards like secondary devices and chemical contamination.
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations require reporting all serious injuries, fatalities, and dangerous occurrences resulting from structural collapses. Employers must provide a safe workplace, free from recognized hazards, under the OSH Act. Rescue workers and emergency responders entering collapsed structures should be aware of hazards like protruding rebar and potential respiratory issues due to exposure to various materials and chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
A dangerous occurrence is any event that, although not causing injury, could have led to significant harm under different circumstances. It involves a situation where workplace safety protocols may have failed or hazardous conditions that could have caused injury or property damage.
Dangerous occurrences can include explosions or uncontrolled fires, particularly in industries dealing with combustible materials or chemicals. They can also include malfunctioning safety systems, such as alarms failing during an emergency, or incidents involving lifting equipment, pressure systems, overhead electric lines, and more.
Recognizing and reporting dangerous occurrences is crucial for maintaining and improving workplace safety. These reports help identify potential hazards, weaknesses in safety procedures, and employee behaviour. By understanding the root causes, companies can implement preventive measures, improved safety practices, and revised protocols to minimize risks and prevent future accidents.
Depending on the country's safety laws, employers, contractors, or owners may be legally required to report dangerous occurrences to the relevant authorities. For example, in the UK, RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) outlines the responsibilities of employers and employees in reporting dangerous occurrences. Failure to report can result in penalties and leave companies vulnerable to future incidents.
