Major incident policy & procedure review

When it is determined a policy & procedure review is warranted:

• determine the timing of the review, after consultation with relevant stakeholders
• set terms of reference and frequency of progress reports
• appoint a policy and procedure review leader
• appoint an investigation manager to manage policy and procedure review

When a review has been initiated:

• direct the policy and procedure review leader on the terms of reference for the review
• determine if a review team is required and its composition
• ensure liaison between the policy and procedure review leader and the major incident investigation board takes place in respect of completion of the review
• provide periodic updates to the Executive on the progress of the review

Ensure the welfare of staff with prior involvement at the site by:

• addressing the issue of stress on the staff involved
• providing information updates on the review to staff, where possible and in all cases at the end of the investigation
• Conducting a formal debriefing session for all staff involved in the investigation, including those with prior involvement at the site

Where HSE staff are under investigation as part of a wider police investigation into the dutyholder’s actions:

• seek advice from Legal Adviser’s Office regarding the provision of legal representation

In accordance with the terms of reference & in consultation with the investigation manger, as appropriate:

• plan the review
• assemble a review team, if required,
• communicate the terms of reference and the purpose of the review to the team
• communicate the terms of reference and the purpose of the review to the staff involved in regulating the site prior to the incident
• manage the day–to-day review activities
• brief the investigation manager on the progress of the review
• prepare a report on the outcome of the review for consideration by the major incident investigation board
• ensure the review report is given a unique number
• ensure any recommendations in the review report are accurately described and uniquely numbered

In preparing the policy & procedure review report:

• consult with major incident investigation board
• consult with the major incident progress group, through the chair, regarding recommendations arising from the policy and procedure review
• follow the agreed standard format

When completed:

• forward review report to the Executive

Performance Standard

Present the report to the Executive:

• within one month of the completion of the review
• unless a different timescale has been agreed in consultation with the Executive.

After consideration of the report:

• determine which, if not all, recommendations are to be implemented
• instruct the relevant head(s) of Directorates/Divisions to implement the relevant changes to policies and procedures
• direct the chair of major incident progress group to monitor implementation of recommendations

Following its acceptance by the Executive:

• communicate the conclusions of the review to the inspectors involved in regulating the site prior to the incident

Performance Standard

Brief the inspectors involved:

• within one month of the Executive accepting the report