School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

Accidents, Incidents and Hazards

These terms require some explanation, as there is an element of overlap between them. An accident is a fairly self-explanatory term. In the process of carrying out some piece of work something may go wrong - which results in personal injury or damage to property. The personal injury may be major e.g. serious bleeding, broken bones, unconsciousness or may be minor e.g. a cut finger. Thus we tend to classify accidents as 'major' or 'minor' - with a graded series between them. This personal injury may be accompanied by damage to property e.g. a vehicle or a piece of equipment.

If damage occurs to property only, i.e. there is no personal injury, we can classify the event as an accident or an incident. In the case of an accident, a Report Form (Injury or Dangerous Occurrence Report Form) must be completed.

An incident can also be considered as a situation where no personal injury or damage to property occurs. This event or incident is usually referred to as a 'near miss'. Recording such incidents is very important as they may indicate the need for changes in working practices or the repair or maintenance of equipment. Thus an Incident Report Form ‌may require to be filled in after an accident or a 'near miss'.

A hazard is something which is potentially dangerous i.e. it could result in an accident. A hazard could include things like a loose piece of carpet, a blocked fire escape or an escape of water or gas. Some hazards need to be treated as matters of extreme urgency, while others can be dealt with by a routine warning procedure.

What to do in the case of an accident

You have to act quickly but sensibly. It is important that you do not add yourself to the casualty list by acting without thought. If electricity is involved in the accident, switch off the power supply before approaching the casualty. Summon assistance from a first aider, who will assess the situation and take appropriate action. Assist the first aider as required. If aid is not immediately available then act as follows: For severe injuries e.g. burns, lacerations, poisons, unconsciousness, summons an ambulance by dialling 4444 on any Main Campus phone or 2222 from the Henry Wellcome Complex, Garscube. Render emergency (ABC) first aid if you are able. (We recommend that all staff undertake a 1-day course in emergency first aid).

If the injuries are such that an ambulance is not necessary, but they are more than minor, get the person to the A&E Department at the The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow (1345 Govan Road) without delay. People are often reluctant to go to hospital. You should be firm in insisting that they do so and report the matter if they fail to take your advice.

Accidents to eyes should be treated by using the eyewash solutions which are located at the first aid points. The person should then be taken to the Western Infirmary for further treatment. Minor cuts may be treated by the first aider using the materials in the first aid boxes, locations of the first aid boxes are clearly signed.

All accidents, no matter how trivial, must be recorded by filling in a University Injury or Dangerous Occurrence Report Form as soon as possible.  The completed forms should be returned to Institute Safety Adviser for processing. If the accident is anything other than a minor one then the Director of Institute or Safety Adviser should be informed as soon as possible. University SEPS (Ext. 5532), the University Safety Officer, must be informed immediately, in the event of a serious accident.

What you should do about an incident

If the incident involves personal injury then you need to deal with it as indicted above in the section on accidents and fill in both an Injury or Dangerous Occurrence Report Formand an Incident Report Form. If the incident is a 'near miss' then only an Incident Report Form needs to be filled in. Completed forms should be returned to the Safety Adviser.

What you should do if you discover a hazard

The immediate action taken depends on the nature of the hazard. In all cases a Hazard Notification Form will require to be completed in due course. The completed form must be sent to for further action. If there is a serious hazard e.g. flooding, gas escape etc, contact Reception and/or the Safety Coordinator, to summons Estates & Buildings staff. If you detect a serious hazard outside working hours dial Ext. 4282 for the GK Building or Ext. 5799 at Garscube on any University phone.