A strong safety culture is not just about preventing incidents – it is also about learning from them.
During an SSIP assessment, suppliers will be asked to demonstrate how accidents and near misses are recorded and reviewed. In the SSIP Core Criteria, this is covered in sections 6-8.
What assessors are looking for
Assessors want to see evidence that your organisation:
- records accidents and near misses
• investigates incidents where appropriate
• identifies lessons learned
• takes steps to prevent recurrence.
Why this matters
Monitoring incidents helps organisations identify trends and potential weaknesses in safety systems.
For example, repeated manual handling injuries may highlight the need for additional training, improved equipment or a full review of the process.
Keep the process simple
For many SMEs, accident reporting can be a straightforward process involving an incident form, investigation notes and corrective actions.
The important thing is that the process is consistent and documented.
In the final article in this series, we will look at how to demonstrate effective management of subcontractors and supply chains.
