, University Safety Office

Definitions and summary of action required

Major injuries

The full list of major injuries as defined by RIDDOR is as follows:

(a) any fracture (including a broken, cracked or chipped bone), other than to the fingers, thumbs or toes

(b) any amputation

(d) loss of sight (temporary or permanent)

(e) chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye

(f) any injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn (including burns caused by arcing or arcing products) leading to unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours

(g) any other injury leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or to unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours

(h) loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or by exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites)

(i) either acute illness requiring medical treatment or loss of consciousness resulting from the absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin

(j) acute illness requiring medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to a biological agent or its toxins.

In the event of any such injury to staff, students, members of the public or other visitors (including contractors)

arrange for first aid assistance or an ambulance, as appropriate

immediately notify the University Safety Office (tel.(2)70811, fax (2)70816)

out of normal office hours contact the Security Centre Control Room (tel.(2)89999) and they will contact a member of the Safety Office

as soon as possible, complete an Accident/Incident Report Form. Send the top (white) copy to the University Safety Office, 10 Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PD and retain the yellow page in departmental records.

the scene of the injury must remain undisturbed (except to deal with continuing risk to persons or property) to allow investigation by the HSE, the University Safety Office or trade union safety representatives, if required. The Safety Office will make the necessary arrangements for such examinations.

Dangerous occurrences

RIDDOR contains a six-page list of dangerous occurrences. Those relevant to the University are summarised below

(a) Lifting machinery: the collapse, overturning, or failure of any load‑bearing part of any lift or lifting equipment

(b) Pressure systems: the failure of any closed vessel (including a boiler or boiler tube) or of any associated pipework, in which the internal pressure was above or below atmospheric pressure, where the failure had the potential to cause the death of any person

(c) Overhead electric lines: any unintentional incident in which plant or equipment came into contact with overhead power lines

(d) Electrical short circuit: electrical short circuit or overload caused by fire or explosion which resulted in the stoppage of the plant involved for more than 24 hours or which had the potential to cause the death of any person

(e) Explosives: certain incidents involving explosives

(f) Biological agents: any accident or incident which resulted or could have resulted in the release or escape of a biological agent likely to cause severe human infection or illness (ie biological agents in Hazard Groups 3 and 4)

(g) Diving operations: the failure or endangering of diving equipment, the trapping of a diver, an explosion near a diver or an uncontrolled ascent or decompression

(h) Collapse of scaffolding: the complete or partial collapse of any scaffold whose top is more than 5 metres above its base, or which is erected near water where there is a risk of drowning after a fall

(i) Wells: certain incidents in relation to wells (other than water wells)

(j) Carriage of dangerous substances: any incident involving a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance where there was an uncontrolled release or escape of the dangerous substance, or a fire which involved the dangerous substance

(k) Collapse of building or structure: any unintended collapse or partial collapse of any building or structure under construction, alteration or demolition which involved a fall of more than 5 tonnes of material; or of any floor or wall of any building used as a place of work; or of any false‑work

(l) Explosion or fire: an explosion or fire which resulted in the suspension of normal work in the premises for more than 24 hours

(m) Escape of flammable substances: the sudden, uncontrolled release inside a building of 100 kg or more of a flammable liquid, 10 kg or more of a flammable liquid above its normal boiling point, or 10 kg or more of a flammable gas; or in the open air of 500 kg or more of flammable liquid or 10 kg of flammable gas

(n) Escape of substances : the accidental release or escape of any substance in a quantity sufficient to cause death, major injury or any other damage to the health of any person.

In the event of such an occurrence

make the situation safe, arranging for the emergency services to attend if necessary

immediately notify the University Safety Office (tel.(2)70811, fax (2)70816)

out of normal office hours contact the Security Centre Control Room (tel.(2)89999) and they will contact a member of the Safety Office

as soon as possible, complete an Accident/Incident Report Form

send the top copy to the University Safety Office and retain the yellow page in departmental records

the scene of the dangerous occurrence must remain undisturbed (except to deal with continuing risk to persons or property) to allow investigation by the HSE, the University Safety Office or trade union safety representatives, if required. The University Safety Office will make the necessary arrangements for such examinations.

Minor injuries

These comprise all injuries not listed in 1 above. In the event of any such injury to staff, students, members of the public or other visitors (including contractors)

arrange for first aid assistance

as soon as possible, complete an Accident/Incident Report Form

return the top copy to the University Safety Office and retain the yellow part in departmental records.

Other incidents, including fires

Following an incident that has not resulted in injury (e.g. a fire, explosion, major spillage or release of hazardous substances, including biological agents)

make the situation safe, arranging for the emergency services to attend if necessary

if necessary, immediately notify the University Safety Office (tel.(2)70811, fax (2)70816) or, out of normal office hours, the Security Centre Control Room (tel.(2)89999)

as soon as possible, complete an Accident/Incident Report Form

send the top copy to the University Safety Office and retain the yellow part in departmental records.

Near misses

Near misses are incidents or accidents that could potentially have caused serious injury or serious property damage. Staff and students should be actively encouraged to report near misses without fear of blame. Recognizing and reporting near miss incidents can provide opportunities to learn lessons that prevent future injury accidents and make a major difference to the safety of workers.

as soon as possible, complete an Accident/Incident Report Form

send the top copy to the University Safety Office and retain the yellow part in departmental records.

Occupational diseases

Those reportable diseases of most relevance to the University include certain occupational skin diseases, occupational lung diseases, and infections. Various other conditions, including occupational cancers, certain musculoskeletal disorders and certain types of poisoning, may also be reportable. Reporting is required only if the diseases are associated with particular work activities specified in the Regulations.

report all cases of suspected occupationally related ill health to the University Occupational Health Service

report any incidents suspected of giving rise to such cases (e.g. a spillage or release of hazardous substances, or a specific manual handling incident) to the Safety Office on an Accident/Incident Report Form.