Element element element element element what should be investigated?

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1.3
ELEMENT 1.3
ELEMENT 1.2
ELEMENT 1.5
ELEMENT 1.1
ELEMENT 1.4
Risk control measures
1
Gathering the 
information
2
Analysing the 
information
3
Risk control 
measures
4
The action 
plan
When considering risk control measures, it is important to take 
account of all existing risk control measures. It may be that 
existing risk controls are sufficient or it may be that they were 
unused or broken at the time when the incident happened.
In terms of additional risk control measures, it is important that 
the following are considered:
y
Identify controls that will provide the best protection for 
the majority of the workforce, rather than focusing on 
the individual, eg, the implementation of a local exhaust 
ventilation system over individual respiratory protective 
equipment (this is discussed further under the hierarchy of 
control).
y
Prioritise those measures that require implementation first, such as safety critical measures, or actions for a routine task 
where the incident could easily recur.
When analysing risk control measures the investigation team must consider:
y
the legal implications of risk controls, or the implications of not making suggested changes;
y
any other standards that the organisation follows, eg sector-specific guidance; and
y
any standards created and implemented by the organisation.
An action plan should be created with a realistic timescale for implementation.
When thinking about what risk control measures are needed or should be recommended, organisations should consider a 
hierarchy of control. There are many different hierarchies which can be used. Here we will look at the hierarchy of control 
contained within ISO 45001:2018.
y
Consider those measures that eliminate the risk before all else, eg use of inherently safe products.
y
Risk controls that substitute hazardous processes, operations, materials or equipment with less hazardous; the risk controls 
must have the ability to prevent recurrence of a similar or worse event.
y
Use of engineering risk controls that adequately control the risk at source (eg guards or local exhaust ventilation systems 
which remove contaminants from the air such as wood dust in a carpentry shop). If engineering controls alone do not 
adequately reduce the risk of recurrence then consider reorganisation of the work, eg are there any steps which could be 
removed from a process to make it less hazardous?
y
Risk control measures can also include administrative controls such as having adequate training in place for all workers or 
safe systems of work for hazardous procedures. 
y
Lastly, consider measures that minimise risk by reliance on human actions, such as personal protective equipment (eg 
safety footwear, gloves, head protection and respiratory protection).
Unsafe practices for the movement of heavy boxes

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NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation