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 David Perl presents a summary of things to consider when dealing with any unexpected fatality, be it a member of staff, customer or anyone else you may have a legal duty of care over. This is based on our first-hand experience of dealing with a number of these tragic events.
Factual information
* Establish who, what, where, when and if possible why? (Any media involvement will provide plenty of speculation as to the why).
* Establish what emergency services and other official response has been mobilised.
Action
* Confirm any next of kin (NOK) information you have. You should gather NOK information on staff and keep it current.
* Liaise with the police re the death notification.
* If NOK wish to travel to the scene, transport should be arranged.
* Consider whether to send a member of staff and specialist support with those travelling to the scene.
* Ensure that anyone who witnessed the incident is offered specialist support. (Psychological first aid – counselling is only required by some and much later on)
* Send a senior manager to be at the scene.
If it is an overseas based incident:
* Consider any family at the location.
* Ensure family members have 24 hour contact numbers to call if required for a company rep.
* Ensure the family have a means to communicate.
* Ensure the party are made fully aware, sensitively of local procedures and custom.
* Establish if NOK require specialist support.
* Ensure that any staff dealing with the incident are offered specialist support.
* Establish whether the NOK need a priest or have any special religious needs to be considered.
Follow-up care
* Keep NOK informed
* Offer to return family members to the scene of incident following an appropriate time
* Ongoing specialist support to the staff involved
* Consider memorial issues.
* Consider anniversary issues
For a more comprehensive list please contact David Perl at info@docleaf.com
•Date: 16th August 2005 •Region: World •Type:
Article •Topic: Crisis management
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