Introduction

Accidents and other incidents occur in every company or institution. According to the Dutch Working Act (arbo-wet), accidents are described as a relationship between the accident and the working conditions in which it occurred. There is not necessarily damage done to classify an incident as work related.

Under ‘other incidents’ such things as ignoring /snubbing colleagues, bullying, threatening behaviour, aggression, violence, and all kinds of sexual intimidation, can also be counted as work related incidents.

Policy

Nikhef’s policy is that all accidents and incidents must be reported. No matter how innocent an accident or incident appears to be, it may possibly have very serious consequences in the future.

Report an accident/incident

If indeed an accident or incident has taken place then it is very important to report it as soon as possible. This should be done through line-management and if he/she is not available then through the safety officer or his/her deputy. All reports will be very seriously addressed.

Accident/Incident form

If/when an incident has taken place and has been reported an accident/incident form must be filled in. This form can be found downloaded here. It makes good sense to fill in this form (as soon as possible) so that as little information as possible is lost.

Actions

The safety officer will conduct an investigation into the facts of the accident/incident. The aim of the investigation is to discover, with hindsight, the cause(s) and to ascertain how to avoid a similar accident/incident in the future. It is not about proportioning blame.

Appointments/meetings are also arranged to discuss the various accidents/incidents. The meetings are concerned with the discussion of:

• Work-related accidents
• Safety incidents
• Environmental incidents
• Accidents/incidents that concern the Kern Energy Wet (Nuclear Energy Law),that is  involving radioactive substances.
• Incidents that concern financial scandals and scientific fraud
• And scandals of a personal nature.

Details of these meetings can be found in the document here.

Click on the FOM/ARBO logo on the right to read what FOM dictates about this subject.