Major incident response and investigation
Stage 2: Decision on incident

Provide advice to the Executive, as appropriate, on:

• the significance of the potential major incident
• an incident, not initially categorised as 'major', which may subsequently warrant such classification in light of developments
• events which, taken in isolation, may not warrant classification as major incidents but may do so when considered together

Also advise the Executive on any specific legislation which:

• creates particular obligations
• gives powers to Ministers to direct the nature of investigations
• gives devolved administrations powers to use other legislation to hold investigations

Following the provision of this advice:

• arrange for the relevant policy division, HSE and DD Secretariat, Press Office and, as appropriate, the HSE Director (Scotland) or (Wales) to be briefed on the above

Performance standard

Consider the incident and brief the Executive within:

• 1 hour of being notified of a potential major incident

Following receipt of the initial information on the nature of the incident, and taking into account the scope of this procedure:

• consult with relevant head(s) of Division/Directorate, HSE Legal Advisor, the Chair of the HSC, the Commission and Ministers as appropriate
• decide if the incident should be categorised as 'major’

If the incident is determined to be 'major':

• decides what elements of the major incident response arrangements should be applied
• determine frequency of briefing updates and inform HSE secretariat

Immediately upon receiving the decision of the Executive to declare an incident a major incident:

• alert the HSE Press Office and other internal and external stakeholders as necessary
• alert HSL
• keep a record of the information received using the Incident Contact Log
• obtain update information relating to the incident
• disseminate update information relating to the incident
• if the incident continues outside office hours, ensure the Duty Officer is adequately briefed on the incident and is aware of any action required of them
• provide briefings to the Executive according to the prescribed frequency

If the incident is not determined to be 'major' immediately:

• alert heads of Directorate/Division of decision for further dissemination in Directorate/Division
• alert the HSE Press Office and other internal and external stakeholders as necessary
• alert HSL
• discuss and agree how updates and briefings will be provided

If informed the incident is declared a major incident:

• follow the instructions given by Executive for investigation arrangements

If informed incident is not declared a major incident:

• ensure the Investigation procedure is followed instead

go to step 1.5 Investigation procedure

• inform D/D secretariat and, if necessary, advise head of Directorate/Division of decision