Post on 04-Jan-2016
Health and Safety Executive
Health and Safety Executive
PACE & INTERVIEWS
Diane Etchell HSE
Tim Hedland
(Volunteer Suspect!)
AIMS & Objectives
A brief understanding of interviews and PACE
1. Background information
2. An accident
3. Circumstances
4. Next steps of the process
Background
• Manufacturing company - 65 employees
• Main activity, light engineering
• Maintenance staff of 3
1. Steve the Maintenance Manager
2. Paul the maintenance chap
3. Neil the 17yr old trainee plumber
Circumstances
• Steve on holiday and Paul was busy.
• Tim the MD asked (TOLD) the trainee, Neil, to investigate a loss of pressure on the cold water system.
The next we knew………
• The 17 yr old trainee had stepped off a fixed gantry onto a fragile ceiling to reach part of a cold water system.
• This gave way and he fell approx 22 foot
• He suffered a fractured skull, 2 fractures to right collarbone, 3 fractured lumbar vertebrae and, internal bruising
Investigation process
• Visit to determine what had happened
• To identify control measures
• Internal investigation?
• Statements (Type, Who, Documents)
• Specialist assistance?
• Young person
All roads lead to TIM
•ARE WE SUSPICIOUS OF TIM??
• IS HE A SUSPECT??
PACE Interview
• Choice of dates
• Legal representation
• Explanation of procedure
• Tapes
• Caution
• Free to leave at any time
• Everyone identified on tape
PACE interview
• Tim’s details and, representation
• Confirm company and employees
• Confirm accident / step by step
• What arrangements were in place during Steve’s holiday?
• Did he really ask/tell Neil to identify the leak?
• Why Neil and not Paul?
• Did he give other instructions?
Bamboo shoots under the nails…..
• Was it normal for Tim to allocate maintenance jobs?
• What training had Neil had?
• Why was there no risk assessments nor safe working practices written?
• Would access equipment be normally used in this area?
• Anything to add?
And Finally…..
• Any mitigation
• Copy of tape
• Confirmation that interview is part of the investigation