ACCIDENT & INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
POLICY & GUIDANCE
Watcombe
Children’s Centre Nursery is committed to providing an environment which is as
healthy and as safe as possible for its children, staff and visitors. However, accidents and incidents do happen
and there is a statutory requirement to report all serious accidents, dangerous
occurrences and instances of occupational ill health to the Health & Safety
Executive (HSE). The nursery also has a
duty to investigate and report all accidents and incidents. All accidents and incidents must be reported
for monitoring and investigation, to ensure that procedures are in place to
prevent, as far as possible, similar accidents happening.
When and
How to Report
If an accident
happens to either a child or adult, an accident form should be filed in. These forms are held in the nursery room in
the centre.
v
Accidents
to children who are attending the schools foundation unit for their free
educational nursery sessions (9.00am--3.00pm) will be given an accident form
through school.
v
This
form will be given to the Nursery Manager who will ask the parents to sign the
slip at the bottom to confirm that they have been notified. This slip must be
returned to school.
ACCIDENT
PROCEDURE
If a child
has a minor injury i.e. minor cuts and grazes:
·
Administer
first aid by a qualified First Aider.
·
Record
details on the Accident Form
·
Allow
the child time to recover in a quiet place with
supervision
If a child
has a head injury:
·
Administer
first aid by a qualified first aider
·
Inform
member of staff working with child/ key-worker
·
Record
details in Accident Form and Bumped Head Form
·
The
general principle is that a child who has a head injury needs observing for 24
hours and this is best done at home. If deemed more serious: a higher qualified
first aider should be consulted. Action should be recorded and the Nursery
Manager informed
·
An
ambulance should be called in cases of serious head injury requiring the child
is taken to hospital a member of staff should accompany the child unless the
parent arrives before the ambulance departs. The Nursery Manager should also
inform Ofsted.
·
An
adult with parental responsibility will be asked to sign the Accident Form to confirm
they have been informed.
If a child
is ill and needs to go home:
·
Only
the Nursery Manager or Senior Nursery Nurse in charge can authorise parents to
be contacted.
·
Children
must be signed out on the registers
·
Parents
must collect the child within half an hour of receiving the call from the
Nursery.
If an adult
has an accident:
·
Follow
the appropriate elements of the above procedure. If any injury is caused
maliciously by another, a separate report should be filed. Forms can be
obtained from a Senior member of staff in the nursery. ( Investigations will be
carried out jointly by both the Children Centre Nursery and school if between
9.00am-11.30am / 12.40pm-3.20pm)
In the case
of a more serious injury:
·
Apply
first aid by a qualified first aider do
not leave the child
·
Ambulance
to be called by Nursery Manager or Senior member of staff.
·
Contact
the Nursery Manager. If not available, senior member of staff.
·
Child
and staff member to meet parent at casualty unless parents arrive at the
nursery before ambulance departs.
·
Parents
to be contacted by Nursery Manager or Senior member of staff if necessary
·
Inform
school if appropriate.
·
Lists
of children with severe allergies and special requirements are posted at all
first aid posts and in the office.
·
Should
a serious injury occur, particularly if there is any suspicion of a back or
neck injury or a broken bone, the casualty should not be moved.
·
Childs
all about me form, bag and accident from should be taken to the hospital.
In the case of
a serious accident involving hospitalisation, an Accident Form should be
completed by the person managing the incident and the white copy of the form
must be forwarded to the Health & Safety Team at the Town Hall within 5
working days. The other copies of the
Report Form should be kept filed in the admin office.
A full risk
assessment must be completed Health and Safety Co-ordinator or Nursery Manager.
The reporting procedures under RIDDOR must be followed and Ofsted informed of
an injury requiring hospitalisation.
What
should be reported?
·
All
accidents.
·
Damage
i.e. an incident that has resulted in damage or destruction of property or
resources. The damage may be covered by an insurance policy.
·
Near
miss i.e. an incident which could have resulted in any of the above.
·
Ill
health which could have been caused or aggravated by work.
·
Violent,
aggressive or threatening behaviour (VATB) – any incident, verbal or physical,
in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related
to their work for the nursery.(please see separate policy)
Immediate
Management Action following a serious or fatal accident:
Where the
injuries received result in the death of a child, employee or member of the
public, the following additional people should be notified:
·
The
Health & Safety Team at
·
The
Children’s Centre Manager
·
Headteacher
or person in charge who will notify the Chair of Governors.
·
The
Police if advised to do so by the Health & Safety Team.
·
The
Public Relations Section (Strategic Services).
·
Ofsted
·
Chair of Board of Directors.
Follow-up
Action:
·
Statements
from witnesses to the accident and other relevant persons must be taken as soon
as possible; if Health & Safety Officers are unavailable to attend
immediately, the Senior Manager present or persons nominated; by him/her while
details are fresh in the witness’ mind.
·
The
Health & Safety Team will carry out an on-site investigation in conjunction
with other Council Officials as considered necessary. A report will be
circulated to the appropriate Directors and Chief Executive. A senior person from the Legal Section will
also attend any subsequent inquest and/or legal proceedings.
·
Initial
contact from the media must be referred to the Public Relations Section. If more detailed information is requested
thereafter, no comments should be made without prior approval.
·
The
Nursery Manager should, wherever possible, make him or herself available to
visit the next of kin after the prior approval of the Council’s Health &
Safety Team.
© 2010