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