Health and Safety Executive

Major Incident
Roles and Responsibilities

Investigation team leader

Roles

The investigation team leader is accountable to the investigation manager and is responsible for managing day-to-day investigation activity.

The investigation team leader will liaise with the emergency services Silver control should this be required.

The investigation team leader is usually from the operational directorate that regulates the site, but has no responsibility for the routine oversight of inspection of the site or duty holders involved in the incident.

The investigation team leader has the primary role in managing staff health, safety and welfare.

S/he has to liaise with the Investigation Manager and keep them apprised of the progress of the investigation.

S/he also has to maintain communication and liaison arrangements with HSE officers and other emergency responders.

Where an investigation manager is not appointed by the Executive, s/he also completes the duties of the investigation manager.

Responsibilities

With respect to investigation management, the investigation team leader:

  • acts as HSE Silver, if so designated
  • also acts as HSE Gold until a Gold is appointed
  • briefs the emergency services silvers on HSE's role, if necessary
  • agrees with the police and other services a recovery strategy, which does not disturb critical evidence
  • agrees site access for HSE staff and those assisting HSE
  • considers the criteria to declare the incident closed
  • liaises with the emergency services and other enforcing agencies, particularly if enforcement is considered
  • arranges a joint investigation strategy with the police, if required
  • keeps the investigation manager apprised
  • establishes, if required, evidence logging and storage arrangements
  • arranges a local incdent room or requests the moblie incident room

With respect to the investigation itself, s/he:

  • manages the investigation activity in accordance with the Investigation procedure, stages 3 and 4
  • records key decisions in the key decision log
  • manages staff welfare, e.g. stress and fatigue
  • manages staff travel and subsistence and logs the time spent on the investigation
  • co-ordinates with the investigation manager a communications strategy and media response
  • briefs all HSE staff and HSE contractors on protocols
  • briefs the MIIB
  • keeps the investigation manager apprised of progress
  • raises any problems with corporate procedures with the MIIB
  • prepares and submits the draft investigation report to the MIIB

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Updated 24.02.09