As people started writing less and typing more, the need to document has never diminished. Especially not the need to keep record of incidents at work, school, hospitals and even homes. Why is this? It’s simply because over the years and as we go by, the issue of safety is becoming more emphasized. Every organization is having these two words at the back their minds and fore-front of all their various procedure “safety first” and this has a direct link to incidence reporting.
What is incidence reporting?
The term depicts an operation in which all injuries and accidents that occur in a work environment to both employers and employees are carefully and structurally documented for the purpose of improving safety. Incident reporting is critical in industries such as aviation, engineering, mining and health care organizations among others where safety is very important as there is a high risk of fatal or serious injuries to workers. Now, it is a legal requirement in many industries and various organizations in many parts of the world that incidence records be promptly kept.
The importance of incidence reporting
The basic reason for reporting incidence cases is to have statistics that can be utilized by an organization to determine the course, direction and trend of its obvious and unique incidences and develop ways to curb and prevent rather than repair damage.
The point is, hazards will be identified and preventive mechanism can be put in place. It is clear as per how the system was centuries ago when incidents are repaired and general or wrong assumptions are made about vulnerability and exposure to risks, that this system is not effective in preventing incidents and ensuring safety. Recording incidence will show a hazard pattern and risks can be easily assessed. Then, based on this useful information, control measures will be effective and update will be consequently made.
Who should report incidence?
Staff of the organization- the employees or workers are usually at the highest risk and are in the best position for incidence reporting. They can easily detect faulty machines for example and they know what incidences occur as it usually happens directly to them. Also, employers, contractors and others associated with any industry can and should report and record incident cases.
How do you record incidence?
It’s just the normal documenting and record keeping process we’re all aware about. It usually entails the date of report, incidence time and place, nature of incidence, description and statement of the nature of the event, personal details of victim or involved personalities. Incident reporting is also managed efficiently by computer software. Security mechanisms can more effectively enforced through software like 1st incident reporting and other reputable software.
