The Suffolk Fire Experience - Doc 322 Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board

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REPORT OF INVESTIGATION

6. NEAR MISS FORM

6.1 This form was raised by Wigglesworth on 4th June 1998. He referred to a Brigade Newsletter (No 8) dated September 1997 which mentions near miss forms and encourages their use. It was pointed out to Wigglesworth that the paragraph he was referring to was talking about the harassment or abuse from service users, whereas the paragraph before referred him and others to the County Council’s procedures. He still contested that the near miss was perfectly appropriate on account of it is the duty of employees to inform the employer of events and occurrence’s that may cause them or others harm.

6.2 Brigade management were adamant that it was clear from the newsletter that Wigglesworth had taken the wrong option. Brigade management felt that Wigglesworth’s action in raising a near miss was a deliberate attempt to abuse DCFO Smith and undermine his authority. Wigglesworth said that that was ridiculous. As far as he was concerned nobody had told him he could not use the near miss system and that it was used in complete good faith.