Question 7 (a) The results of accident / incident ratio studies are often depicted as a triangle.In answering part (a)(i) of the question, candidates should have explained that a triangle is used to represent the relative increase in numbers with lower severity outcomes.(i) Explain why the outcomes are often depicted as a triangle.
(ii) Explain how raw accident / incident data can be converted into the type of results which are normally shown in an accident / incident ratio study triangle.
(iii) Explain the reasons why, in practice, the ratios of accident / incident outcomes in an organisation always follow this triangular pattern.
(iv) Explain the implications of accident / incident ratio studies for accident and incident investigation arrangements and resourcing. (5)

For (a)(ii), raw data is classified by the severity of the outcome such as for example, major injury, minor injury, property damage and near misses. The numerical ratios of the severity outcomes are calculated to give “1” as the outcome of highest severity. There are a number of reasons why the ratios of outcomes in an organisation follow a similar pattern. Whilst many, but not all, low severity incidents have the potential tocause higher severity injuries, the probabilities dictate that most incidents do not result in a high severity outcome. Another factor which may have a bearing could be the investment of more resources to prevent those incidents which are perceived as having a high severity outcome.The implications of accident ratio studies for accident and incident investigation arrangements and the allocation of resources are that all accidents and incidents should be investigated and the resources applied should be based on the potential loss rather than the actual loss. The outcome of an accident/incident depends on local circumstances and alternative outcomes for the same unplanned event are possible. Itis important to investigate near misses, property damage and minor injuries which are often overlooked because of a lack of serious outcome since near misses often have identical root causes to serious incidents and can reveal management system failures before serious incidents occur. Part (a) of this question was not well answered. Few understood how data can be converted to results shown in the triangle nor could they explain how ratios of accident or incident outcomes in an organisation always follow the triangle pattern. The importance of investigating near misses or minor injuries to prevent those which could have a more serious outcome was missed by many

	Created by Garry Lamond over 8 years ago

Diploma Diploma unit A (Past papers) Slide Set on Unit A past papers july 2011, created by Garry Lamond on 08/12/2015.