🚑 Accident Reporting & Emergency Procedures (RIDDOR & First Aid)

1. What does the abbreviation RIDDOR stand for?

1. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
2. Recording of Incidents, Damage and Distribution of Resources Rules
3. Register of Industrial Diseases and Daily Operational Reports
4. Required Inspection of Dangerous Drilling, Operations and Refuelling

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, which set out what work-related incidents must be reported to the enforcing authority. Source: RIDDOR 2013

2. Under RIDDOR, who has the legal duty to report a reportable work-related accident or dangerous occurrence?

1. The responsible person, usually the employer or person in control of the work
2. The injured operative themselves, by post
3. Any member of the public who witnessed it
4. The first aider who treated the casualty

The duty to report under RIDDOR falls on the 'responsible person', normally the employer or the person in control of the premises or work activity, not on the injured worker. Source: RIDDOR 2013

3. Which of the following incidents is always reportable under RIDDOR?

1. The death of a worker arising from a work-related accident
2. A minor cut that is treated with a plaster and the worker carries on
3. A worker feeling tired at the end of a long shift
4. A near miss where nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged

Deaths arising from a work-related accident are always reportable to the enforcing authority without delay under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

4. An operative is injured at work and, as a result, is unable to do their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident). What does RIDDOR require?

1. The injury must be reported to the enforcing authority
2. Nothing needs to be reported as it is only a minor injury
3. The worker must report it to their GP only
4. The accident book entry can be deleted after seven days

An over-seven-day injury, where someone is incapacitated for their normal work for more than seven days, is reportable under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

5. Under RIDDOR, within what timescale must an over-seven-day injury be reported to the enforcing authority?

1. Within 15 days of the accident
2. Within 24 hours of the accident
3. Within 3 days of the accident
4. Within 6 months of the accident

An over-seven-day injury must be reported within 15 days of the accident under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

6. Which of these is classed as a 'specified injury' that must be reported without delay under RIDDOR?

1. A fracture to an arm or leg, other than to fingers, thumbs or toes
2. A bruise to the shin that quickly fades
3. A blister on the hand from using a tool
4. A small graze treated with antiseptic wipe

Bone fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes) are listed as specified injuries under RIDDOR and must be reported without delay. Source: RIDDOR 2013

7. Following a death or a specified injury reported immediately, RIDDOR requires a written report to follow within a set period. What is that period?

1. Within 10 days of the incident
2. Within 28 days of the incident
3. Within 2 days of the incident
4. Within 12 months of the incident

Deaths and specified injuries must be reported without delay, with a written report following within 10 days under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

8. A scaffold tower collapses on site but, by luck, nobody is hurt. What is the correct view of this event under RIDDOR?

1. It may be a reportable dangerous occurrence even though no one was injured
2. It does not need reporting because there were no injuries
3. It only needs reporting if it happens a second time
4. It is the scaffolder's private matter and not reportable

Certain dangerous occurrences, such as the collapse of structures or scaffolding, are reportable under RIDDOR regardless of whether anyone was actually injured. Source: RIDDOR 2013

9. Which national body normally receives RIDDOR reports for construction sites?

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
2. The local fire and rescue service
3. The site's insurance company
4. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

RIDDOR reports for most construction work are made to the Health and Safety Executive, the enforcing authority for the industry. Source: RIDDOR 2013

10. A buried gas main is struck during excavation and gas escapes, putting workers at risk. How should this be treated?

1. It is likely to be a reportable dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR
2. It never needs reporting because the gas was quickly turned off
3. Only the gas company has to deal with it, not the site
4. It is reportable only if the gas catches fire

An accidental release or escape of any substance, such as striking a live gas main, can be a reportable dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

11. An operative develops occupational dermatitis on their hands, confirmed by a doctor as caused by contact with wet cement at work. What does RIDDOR require?

1. The diagnosed occupational disease should be reported under RIDDOR
2. Nothing, because skin conditions are never reportable
3. Only an entry in the accident book is needed and no report
4. The worker must report it to the council planning department

Certain diagnosed occupational diseases, including occupational dermatitis linked to work, are reportable under RIDDOR when a doctor makes the diagnosis. Source: RIDDOR 2013

12. You have a minor accident at work that does not need reporting under RIDDOR. What should you still do?

1. Make sure it is recorded in the site accident book
2. Keep it to yourself so you do not get into trouble
3. Wait to see if it gets worse before telling anyone
4. Only tell your workmates, not the supervisor

Even minor accidents should be recorded in the accident book so there is a record, which protects both the worker and the employer. Source: HSE guidance

13. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of RIDDOR reporting?

1. To help the authorities identify risks and prevent future incidents
2. To allow the worker to claim extra wages
3. To name and blame the worker who had the accident
4. To advertise the site's safety record to the public

RIDDOR reporting enables enforcing authorities to gather information on serious incidents so that risks can be identified and future harm prevented. Source: RIDDOR 2013

14. A member of the public is struck by falling material from a construction site and is taken straight to hospital for treatment. How is this viewed under RIDDOR?

1. Injuries to non-workers that result in them being taken to hospital can be reportable
2. It is never reportable because the person is not an employee
3. It is only reportable if the person decides to make a claim
4. Only the public's own doctor needs to know about it

RIDDOR covers injuries to members of the public arising from work activities where the person is taken from the scene to hospital for treatment. Source: RIDDOR 2013

15. You witness a serious accident on site. What is the first thing you should do about reporting it internally?

1. Report it to your supervisor or manager as soon as possible
2. Go home and report it the following week
3. Decide yourself whether it is worth mentioning
4. Wait until someone else reports it first

Serious accidents should be reported to a supervisor or manager straight away so the responsible person can take action and make any RIDDOR report required. Source: HSE guidance

16. Which of these would NOT in itself be a RIDDOR-reportable specified injury?

1. A small splinter removed with tweezers and a plaster applied
2. Loss of consciousness caused by a head injury at work
3. An amputation of a finger by a cutting machine
4. A serious burn covering a large area of the body

A minor splinter is not a specified injury, whereas loss of consciousness from a head injury, amputations and serious burns are all listed specified injuries under RIDDOR. Source: RIDDOR 2013

17. Under RIDDOR, which of the following is a recognised category of reportable event?

1. Dangerous occurrences specified in the regulations
2. Any time a worker arrives late for their shift
3. Routine deliveries of materials to site
4. Tea breaks taken without permission

RIDDOR sets out a list of specified dangerous occurrences that must be reported even if no one is injured, alongside deaths, specified injuries, over-seven-day injuries and diseases. Source: RIDDOR 2013

18. What is the main role of an appointed first aider on a construction site?

1. To give immediate help to casualties until professional medical help arrives if needed
2. To diagnose illnesses and prescribe medicines to workers
3. To carry out minor surgery in the site cabin
4. To sign workers off sick for several weeks

A first aider is trained to give immediate, basic help to a casualty and, where necessary, to summon further medical assistance, not to act as a doctor. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

19. A workmate collapses and you are not a trained first aider. What is the best action?

1. Call for the site first aider and emergency help straight away and stay with the casualty
2. Try to treat them yourself using a method you saw online
3. Move them quickly to the car park on your own
4. Leave them and carry on with your own work

If you are not trained, the safest action is to summon the first aider and emergency services immediately and stay with the casualty rather than attempt treatment you are not competent to give. Source: HSE guidance

20. Which of the following is OUTSIDE the role of a workplace first aider?

1. Giving out prescription medicines to treat a worker's condition
2. Keeping an airway open on an unconscious casualty
3. Controlling bleeding from a wound
4. Calling an ambulance for a seriously injured worker

First aiders give immediate emergency help but are not qualified to prescribe or administer prescription medicines, which is a medical responsibility. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

21. A first aider has treated a casualty with a deep wound and stopped the bleeding. The casualty is still in a lot of pain and the wound looks serious. What should the first aider do next?

1. Arrange for the casualty to get professional medical treatment
2. Tell the casualty to go straight back to work
3. Stitch the wound themselves in the site office
4. Send the casualty home alone to rest

A first aider's role is limited to immediate help; a serious wound needs onward referral to professional medical care. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

22. How should you be able to find out who the first aiders are on your site?

1. From notices, the site induction or first-aid signs showing their names and location
2. By guessing which workers look the most experienced
3. You are not allowed to know who they are
4. Only the site manager is ever told

Employers must inform workers of first-aid arrangements, typically through induction and notices showing who the first aiders are and where to find first-aid facilities. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

23. An operative complains of crushing chest pain and looks unwell. The first aider suspects a heart attack. What is the most appropriate response?

1. Call 999 for an ambulance immediately and keep the casualty calm and still
2. Tell them to walk it off and continue working
3. Give them some painkillers from the first-aid kit and wait
4. Drive them home so they can rest

A suspected heart attack is a medical emergency; the first aider should call 999 at once and reassure and rest the casualty while waiting for the ambulance. Source: HSE guidance

24. Why should an untrained worker generally avoid moving a casualty who may have a serious back or neck injury, unless there is immediate danger?

1. Moving them incorrectly could make a spinal injury much worse
2. It would waste the first aider's time
3. It is against company dress code
4. Casualties always recover faster when left in a vehicle

Unnecessary movement of someone with a suspected spinal injury can cause further, possibly permanent, damage, so they should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger. Source: HSE guidance

25. After a first aider has dealt with an accident, what important step helps make sure the right follow-up action is taken?

1. Recording the details of the injury and treatment given
2. Throwing away any used dressings without telling anyone
3. Asking the casualty to keep it quiet
4. Removing the casualty's name from any records

Recording the injury and treatment in the accident book provides a record that supports any RIDDOR reporting and helps prevent recurrence. Source: HSE guidance

26. Which of the following would you normally expect to find in a workplace first-aid kit?

1. Individually wrapped sterile dressings and adhesive plasters
2. Prescription antibiotics and strong painkillers
3. A bottle of disinfectant for cleaning the floor
4. Spare bulbs for the site lighting

A basic first-aid kit contains items such as sterile dressings, plasters, bandages and gloves, but not medicines like tablets or prescription drugs. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

27. Why does a standard workplace first-aid kit NOT contain tablets or medicines such as painkillers?

1. First aiders are not trained or permitted to give medicines, and people may react badly to them
2. Tablets are too expensive to keep in a kit
3. Medicines take up too much space in the box
4. There is no rule about it, it is just tradition

Standard first-aid kits do not include medicines because giving them is outside a first aider's role and individuals may have allergies or adverse reactions. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

28. You go to use the site first-aid kit and notice several items are missing or out of date. What should you do?

1. Report it so the kit can be restocked and checked
2. Use the out-of-date items anyway as they are probably fine
3. Ignore it because it is not your responsibility
4. Take the kit home to refill it yourself with shop items

First-aid kits should be regularly checked and restocked; if you find items missing or expired you should report it so the appointed person can put it right. Source: Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

29. After any workplace accident that injures you, what is the first thing you should make sure happens?

1. The accident is recorded in the accident book
2. You go home immediately without telling anyone
3. You repair any damaged equipment yourself
4. You wait a week to see if the injury gets worse

All injuries, however minor, should be recorded in the accident book so there is a proper record of what happened. Source: HSE guidance / Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979

30. What is a 'near miss'?

1. An incident that could have caused injury or damage but did not
2. An accident that resulted in a fatality
3. A minor injury that needed a plaster
4. A planned safety inspection

A near miss is an unplanned event that did not cause harm but had the potential to do so, and reporting it helps prevent future accidents. Source: HSE guidance

31. You trip over a trailing cable but manage to catch yourself and are not hurt. What should you do?

1. Report it as a near miss so the hazard can be put right
2. Do nothing because no one was injured
3. Only mention it if your supervisor asks
4. Move the cable and keep it to yourself

Reporting near misses allows the hazard to be removed before someone is actually injured. Source: HSE guidance

32. Why is it important to keep an accident book up to date on a construction site?

1. It provides a record that can help prevent future accidents and supports any claims
2. It is only needed to satisfy the insurance company
3. It replaces the need for first aid
4. It is used to decide who gets overtime

Recording accidents helps identify patterns and causes so action can be taken, and provides an official record. Source: HSE guidance

33. Under data protection rules, how must completed accident book entries containing personal details be handled?

1. Kept secure and confidential, not on open view to others
2. Pinned on the site noticeboard for everyone to read
3. Thrown away as soon as the injured person recovers
4. Read out at the daily briefing

Accident records contain personal data and must be kept confidential and stored securely. Source: HSE guidance / Data Protection Act 2018

34. You witness a colleague being injured but they tell you not to bother recording it. What is the correct action?

1. Make sure the accident is still recorded in the accident book
2. Agree and say nothing
3. Only record it if the injury looks serious
4. Wait for the colleague to record it themselves

All injuries should be recorded regardless of how minor they seem, as the record may be needed later. Source: HSE guidance

35. Who is responsible for making sure an accident book is provided and kept on site?

1. The employer
2. Each individual operative
3. The Health and Safety Executive
4. The supplier of the site cabins

Employers have a duty to provide a means of recording accidents and to keep the records. Source: HASAWA 1974 / Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979