News

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently made updates to its Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) guidance.

Whilst there are no changes to the actual legal requirements, it is still important for employers to familiarise themselves with the changes to the HSE guidance. Doing so will also offer the opportunity to check that processes are in place to comply with the rules.

What changes have been made to the RIDDOR guidance?

RIDDOR guidance has recently been updated. The main changes are:

• There are more direct links to guidance on the types of reportable incidents, making it easier to decide whether a report is required
• There is improved guidance on who should and should not report under RIDDOR
• There is improved guidance on what is meant by a work-related accident
• Information has been added on when an occupational disease is not reportable
• There is increased clarity on when an ‘over-7-day' absence should be reported

There have also been changes to the reporting forms. The main changes are:

 

• Questions concerning the severity of injuries have been moved nearer the beginning to make it easier to quickly decide whether the incident is reportable
• Pop-up messages have been added to redirect users where the incident is not reportable
• Guidance has been enhanced to make the forms more straightforward to use
• Injured or affected people now have more options when completing the gender field

 

What is RIDDOR?

If someone has died, or has been injured due to a work-related accident, it may have to be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

A RIDDOR report is only required when the accident is work related, and it results in a ‘reportable injury'.

What is a ‘reportable incident’?

Under RIDDOR, there are four types of reportable incidents: 

• Reportable injuries
• Occupational diseases
• Dangerous occurrences
• Gas incidents

 

Reportable injuries

The following types of injury must be reported under RIDDOR: 

• The death of any person (other than suicide) if it resulted from a work-related accident. This includes any deaths resulting from a reportable work-related injury occurring within one year of the injury.
• Specified, reportable injuries to workers listed under Regulation 4 of RIDDOR
• Over-7-day incapacitation of workers - work related incidents that result in an employee being away from work or unable to carry out their normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days.
• Non-fatal accidents to members of the public or those not classed as workers, for example customers or volunteers, that involve work activity, result in an injury and if the person is taken directly to hospital for treatment to that injury

 

Over-3-day incapacitation of workers - work related incidents that result in an employee being away from work or unable to carry out their normal duties for more than 3 consecutive days do not need to be reported. However, under social security law, they must be recorded in the Accident Book (see below).

Occupational diseases

Employers and the self-employed are required to report diagnoses of certain occupational diseases which are likely to have been caused or worsened by their work.

This is the full list of reportable occupational diseases.

Dangerous occurrences

A dangerous occurrence is described as one which ‘arises out of or in connection with work' and could potentially harm other people.

Not all of these events need to be reported. The HSE has issued detailed guidance on the dangerous occurrences that need to be reported under Schedule 2 of RIDDOR.

Gas incidents

Distributors, fillers, importers and suppliers of flammable gas are required to report gas-related incidents where someone has died, lost consciousness or been taken to hospital for treatment.

The Report of a Flammable Gas Incident online form should be used to report such incidents.

There is also advice on requirements for notifying and reporting gas incidents.

Who should report under RIDDOR?

Only 'responsible persons' including employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises should submit reports under RIDDOR.

It is not appropriate for injured persons, members of the public or others who do not have duties under RIDDOR to use this reporting system.

Employees (or their representatives) or members of the public wishing to report an incident should follow this HSE advice.

Employers must report: 

• Work-related deaths
• Certain work-related injuries
• Cases of disease
• Near misses involving employees wherever they are working

Premises controllers must report: 

• Work-related deaths
• Certain injuries to members of the public and self-employed people on the premises
• Dangerous occurrences (some near miss incidents) occurring on the premises

 
Self-employed workers must report: 

• Any reportable accident that occurs whilst working on their own premises or in domestic premises, or any work-related disease or condition confirmed by a doctor

 

All reports should be made using this online reporting form.

What is the Accident Book?

Employers are required by law to record and report details of specified work-related injuries and incidents.

The Accident Book allows businesses to comply with their legal duties under health and safety and social security legislation, including RIDDOR requirements.

The book enables the recording of all accident information in one place, and aids the management of health and safety at work. Records kept within the Accident Book can be easily shared with health and safety representatives and inspectors if required.

The Accident Book complies with current legislation, including RIDDOR, GDPR and HSE standards.

In summary

The information we've shared in this article is a simplified snapshot of the RIDDOR guidance. It is highly recommended that employers take time to study the guidance in its entirety to ensure legislative compliance.