Change to reporting injuries and incidents in the workplace
7 July 2011
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From September, statutory reporting to the Health and Safety Executive of work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR will move to a predominantly online system. In this article we look at your legal responsibilities as a business owner, plus tell you when and how to report an incident.
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Under this piece of legislation, all employers, the self-employed and anyone in charge of premises must report specified workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
 

What's changing?

Currently, anyone wanting to report an injury or incident can do so by phone, email, post or online. Details are available at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor
 
From 12 September 2011, this have to be done using a new online system. However, fatal and major injuries and incidents can still be reported to HSE's Incident Contact Centre by telephone, as at present. 
 
In addition, HSE's Infoline telephone information service will end on 30 September 2011. 
 

What do I need to report?

  • Deaths
  • Major injuries, such as fractures, burns or electric shocks
  • Injuries where an employee or self-employed person is away from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than three consecutive days
  • Injuries to members of the public where they are taken from the scene of an accident to hospital
  • Some work-related diseases, such as asbestos and hand-arm vibration syndrome
  • Dangerous occurrences, which don't result in reportable injury, but could have done, i.e. collapse or failure of equipment 
  • Gas Safe registered gas fitters must also report dangerous gas fittings they find, and gas conveyors/suppliers must report some flammable gas incidents.

What records do I need to keep?

You must keep a record of any reportable injury, disease or dangerous occurrence. This must include:
  • The date and method of reporting (i.e. accident book, kept on hard copy file, electronically)
  • The date, time and place of the event
  • Details of those involved
  • A brief description of the nature of the event, injury or disease.
When you report the incident, HSE will send you a copy of the record held within their database, which you should also keep for your records. You can request amendments to the record if you feel the report is not fully accurate.
 
Even if an injury or incident does not need to be reported to HSE, you should still ensure that it is recorded in your company's accident book.
 
Get health and safety expertise that you can rely on with our Practical Health and Safety package, which includes step-by-step guidance to ensure that you are not only legally compliant but are also providing a safe working environment for your employees and customers.


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