Understanding Critical Incidents in Performance Appraisal, Safety, and Incident Response

Friends,

Please, can anyone explain "what is a critical incident"?

Kesava Pillai

Dear Kesava,

Please search the web for critical incident techniques using Google, and you will find your answer.

Have a nice day.

Simhan A retired academic in the UK

Dear Pillai,

A critical incident is one that could lead to a major or fatal injury. We cannot call it an accident, but if it happens, it would definitely be a major or fatal case. For detailed reference, please refer to the definition part of OHSAS 18001.

Regards

Dear Nashbramhall,

Thank you for your response. However, my problem is not 'critical incident technique' but purely "critical incident," which has a different meaning. Of course, I can wait!

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Kesava,

Unless you provide the context in which you are posing the question, it is difficult to give you the answer you are seeking. In order to use the Critical Incident technique, one has to identify the critical incident. Kandelwal has already given you one definition. Also, see "What is a 'critical incident'?" found at Google.

Finding answers to most of the questions is as simple as searching the web using precise keywords from our questions.

Have a nice day.

Simhan

Dear Kesava Pillai,

Hi friend, I saw your questions and also read a lot of replies that you received regarding your question. However, it seems you are not satisfied with these responses. From your question, I gather that you are referring to a critical incident, which is essentially used in performance appraisal to highlight key behaviors required for successful performance.

A critical incident refers to those behaviors on the job that lead to successful performance. This term is commonly used in the performance appraisal process.

Hope your query has been addressed!

Please avoid typing errors.

Dear Friends,

I am in the process of making the PowerPoint presentation on critical incidents from a safety point of view. In a critical incident, there could be stress reactions having both behavioral and pathological consequences, just like the quote: "Home they brought her warrior dead: She nor swooned, nor uttered cry." - from Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the information. The concept and the word itself were new to me. I appreciate you familiarizing me with it.

With regards,
Dipil Kumar V

Dear Friend,

I found some spelling mistakes in this presentation on Critical Incidents. I have corrected them and am resubmitting it for use.

Thanks and Regards,
J. Narayanan

Dear Kesav,

For you...

Definition of Critical Incident: Occurrences considered to be critical incidents are those situations that might present a risk of significant bodily harm, property damage, legal involvement, media activity, or other unusual activity that falls outside the scope of activity undertaken by EWCDHH. EWCDHH includes within the scope of critical incidents activities such as, by way of example, the following:

(a) Any definition of critical incidents contained in an EWCDHH contract for services with federal, state, or local public authorities.

(b) Death: Death of a client who is actively receiving services from EWCDHH.

(c) Injury: The infliction of bodily harm (including drug overdoses, alcohol-related toxicity, and attempted suicide), which causes a client to seek voluntary or involuntary hospitalization. Communicable diseases as defined in WAC 246-101-010 which occur at EWCDHH or otherwise severely impact EWCDHH operational activity.

(d) Damaged Property: The intentional or willful damage to property or EWCDHH that would severely impact operational activities by a client, the extent to which requires voluntary or involuntary hospitalization.

(e) Significant Occurrences: Whether by a client, volunteer, or staff person on duty or another person: any threats or physical assaults, or behavior so bizarre or disruptive that it places others at a reasonable risk of harm or, in fact, causes harm. This would include behavior that leads to a report being issued to any public authority, including but not limited to adult or child protective services. In certain circumstances where EWCDHH would be impacted, this would also include alleged criminal activity by clients, staff, volunteers, or board members.

Perhaps the problem is that "critical incident" is also a description those of us in the human service area use to describe a traumatic incident, such as an industrial accident, a crime situation, a violent act witnessed by people. The critical incident then has a critical incident response person who works with witnesses and perhaps victims to help them process the situation for a more positive result in terms of mental and physical health.

Some doubt the validity of this process, but actually, it is of significant help for those working long-term with people involved. Hope this helps.

Doug Eddy

Hi, please help me with the examples of critical incidents as a method of job analysis. Honestly, I have failed to understand. I will be grateful for your positive response.