Accident Advice Needed

[mazza111]

Not too late at all. He has reported it to the manager, it's up to the manager to do the ERICA. This happened with me 3 years ago. DWP have now ruled it an industrial injury. Even though it wasn't logged as such. Because no accident book or the like is available to us. All we can do is inform management, it's up to them to do their job.

[Himaggen]

The Manager's remit is to enter reported accidents within twenty four hours of them occurring, cinemasaint didn't mention the accident which happened on Wednesday until they became aware that the duty they were asked to perform on Friday had a few too many steps for them. At that point, as I said, the Manager will not create an entry into the reporting system.

<Edit />
ERICA is the accident book, the fact that it is electronic and not paper makes no difference, entry using both methods were always the Managers remit. The use of an accident book has been a requirement for eight years now.

[brothermagrew]

Electronic ERICA
Some organisations choose to design their own systems, allowing a greater level of flexibility and a format tailored to the nature of the work. Royal Mail moved from a paper-based system to an electronic accident reporting system - designed in-house - in January 2007.

The system, called ERICA (the electronic reporting of incidents for collation and analysis), makes gathering accident information easier and makes analysing it easier, says Melvyn Hodgetts, Royal Mail's safety policy development adviser.

"When you gather the information electronically you can cut it and dice it whichever way you want," he explains. "So for instance, if I wanted to I could tell you how many female employees between the ages of this and that had a slip, trip or fall accident on a Friday after 3 o'clock."

The intranet-based system is used to record accidents, dangerous occurrences, occupational diseases, environmental incidents, road traffic accidents and personal injuries to third parties (members of the public, contractors, and so on). It automatically produces RIDDOR reports where applicable, a feature developed in consultation with the HSE.

Because it is a reporting and an investigation system, the questions are contextual: entering a slip accident, for example, will generate a sequence of questions exploring what the injured person slipped on, and there are mandatory fields to ensure reporting consistency.

"Through the questions, the system hand-holds the line manager through a quality investigation," says Hodgetts. "It also saves a lot of time because we can link to the HR payroll system and it'll self-complete a lot of fields."

Line managers are responsible for entering accident details because so many of the organisation's 198,000 employees don't have access to computers.

Before the system was launched, employees were trained on the "injured person" side of the process and line managers received training on how to enter information into the system itself. The system includes an online training module and an FAQs section and there's also a back-up helpline.

"We didn't have very many teething problems because we did a lot of ground-work first," says Hodgetts. "When it did arrive it was almost a seamless switch on."

Line managers print out accident reports and keep them on file so that there is a site accident book and so they can give the injured person and union reps copies as appropriate, but otherwise the system is paper-free.


The file mentioned above is of course the ERICA Folder which should be locked securely away from prying eyes to satisfy the Data Protection laws.

ERICA 7.jpg

[krussel]

It should also go on WRAP so a red card can be printed and placed on the frame.

[mazza111]

The Manager's remit is to enter reported accidents within twenty four hours of them occurring, cinemasaint didn't mention the accident which happened on Wednesday until they became aware that the duty they were asked to perform on Friday had a few too many steps for them. At that point, as I said, the Manager will not create an entry into the reporting system.

<Edit />
ERICA is the accident book, the fact that it is electronic and not paper makes no difference, entry using both methods were always the Managers remit. The use of an accident book has been a requirement for eight years now.

He reported it to manager, manager should then have done report, even though it turned out worse than anticipated. As I said, this happened with me, slip on wet leaves, told manager, he said we'll fill in report tomorrow, too busy today, me being a newbie, said ok.....of course, the next day my knee was like a balloon, off sick for 3 days. So no Erica was filled. Explained to DWP that RM employees are relying on RM management to do their job, they have ruled that it was an industrial accident. They went back and checked my sick record, and seen that I had 3 days off with the injury.

[keithposty]

the hazard should go into the WRAP within the walk log

it is easy now to imput direct onto the computer and print out

DOMS need to be giving out the hazard cards and folders as it is a condition of signing off SAC 3 prior to the delivery methods revision

the delivery methods cannot procede unless this is signed off by the safety director

[Himaggen]

He reported it to manager, manager should then have done report

He didn't report the accident until after the 24 hour deadline. The Manager is not going to enter a report into the log after that deadline has passed, had he reported it within the deadline then the Manager would have had a legal obligation to open a new entry in the ERICA.

I have no idea if there is a legal stipulation on the time span between accident and opening a report, just that the Managers say it's 24 hours.

[mazza111]

But how many managers fail to make that report anyway? Especially with newbies? I believe mine should also have been a RIDDOR as I had (can't remember it being so long ago) 3-4 days off sick with it, but because of a manager not doing his job right, it wasn't reported at all.

[Himaggen]

I understand that there are instances of failure by the Managers, but in this case the failure was by the IP in that they failed to report the accident on return to the DO the same day.

That's the biggest problem with H&S, nobody can be arsed with it until it suits them and that behaviour is a hazard to all of us.

In this case had they been handed a preferred duty two days later then they would never have mentioned the accident and any future preventative actions would never have taken place. They have failed in their responsibilities.

[brothermagrew]

Had an accident whilst at work?
If you have an accident whilst at work, if necessary make sure you receive first aid from a trained First Aid volunteer (if you are working indoors). If you are outdoors and your injuries are such that you cannot continue with your work you should call your Line Manager as soon as possible.

If you are in a fit state to do so and your accident was caused by a visible unsafe condition, take photo’s using your mobile phone, they may be of use later. If there are any witnesses to your accident gather their details as they may be of use at a later date.

As soon as possible within the next 24 hours report your accident to your manager and ensure it is recorded using the electronic accident reporting system. Insist that this is done at the earliest possible time. Do not be fobbed off with ‘come back later’ or ‘I’m busy right now’, ask for a specific time and get it recorded! Failing to do so may come back to haunt you in weeks, months and years to come.

It is always a wise precaution to have your accident registered with the DWP as an Industrial Accident. This is to ensure you can access your statutory rights in the event of your injuries being more serious than you first anticipated.

[cinemasaint]

I said to the regular postman today to watch out for it, And my line manager is going to do the report with me tomorrow as we have more time on a Tuesday but my knee was throbbing today and I will make sure it gets done. I had an accident last year on duty I slid on a kerb stone and landed right on my shoulder I had an erica report done the next day I was lucky it's a conservation area and there are no proper pavements as they have gravel pavements. Somebody mention informing the dwp and an other for a IC3? I haven't been off with it yet.

[Stormproof]

I haven't been off with it yet.

You don't have to go off with the injury....its the fact that you HAVE been injured whilst doing your job.

[mazza111]

That's just what I'm getting at Brother :)

The policies aren't taught. There are so many rules and regulations in place, I certainly didn't know that the accident had to be reported within 24 hours (even though I reported it within 24 hours to my manager)


This is where RMC is a great help. And hope more people see what you've written above. I really thought nothing of it when manager said we'd do ERICA tomorrow.. Which would have made it 48 hours. Then being off sick with it, meant it couldn't be done Was my first lesson in not trusting them as far as I could chuck em

[cinemasaint]

That's just what I'm getting at Brother :)

The policies aren't taught. There are so many rules and regulations in place, I certainly didn't know that the accident had to be reported within 24 hours (even though I reported it within 24 hours to my manager)


This is where RMC is a great help. And hope more people see what you've written above. I really thought nothing of it when manager said we'd do ERICA tomorrow.. Which would have made it 48 hours. Then being off sick with it, meant it couldn't be done Was my first lesson in not trusting them as far as I could chuck em

I felt no ill effect till the Thursday when I was going up and down stairs as I had hardly any on the Wednesday, I said to the manager covering my line manager on the Friday to ask about getting put on a duty that was easier on my knee. I was off the Saturday, today I was in discomfort about halfway through my round. And it was the ls3 form what is it?

[brothermagrew]

Personal Injury Claims for Damages - LS3 Form & *LS18 Form
The Union scheme provides access to legal advice ordinarily from one of the CWU approved Panel Solicitors. The solicitors will take on cases on behalf of the Union if they have a chance of success of over 50%. This will be determined by the solicitors once they have carried out their initial investigation.

(I) Who can make a Personal Injury Claim under the CWU Scheme?
i. Members can claim for accidents ON AND OFF duty.
ii. Dependents (provided they are not covered by any other Union scheme).
iii. Retired members and portable members.

(II) Procedure for Making a Claim on the Member's Behalf
The member must complete a LS3 form and return it to the Legal Services Department. A form can be obtained from your local Branch Secretary or alternatively you can call the CWU Legal Services Helpline on free phone
0800 804 6674 or complete the form electronically via our web site cwu.accidenthelpline.com All claims will be registered at CWU Headquarters, which will then be forwarded on to our Panel Solicitors for assessment.
*LS18 This form is provided in conjunction with the LS3 form which contains important information about members' entitlements and further details of other benefits that are available.