changes to RIDDOR
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
(Amendment) Regulations 2012 were approved by Parliament on 31
January 2012 and come into force on 6 April. These amend the injury
reporting requirements to increase the period of time which
triggers the reporting requirement.
The current requirement is for the responsible person to report
any accident at work which results in incapacitation for more than
three consecutive days (excluding the day of the accident but
including any days which would not have been working days). This
reporting requirement is amended so that it is triggered after
seven consecutive days. The report should be made as soon as
practicable but in any event within 15 days. This is an increase
from the current 10 day deadline.
Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to
do work that they would reasonably be expected to do either under
their contract of employment, or if there is no such contract, as
part of their normal work.
The Regulations are also amended to ensure that, while there is
no longer the requirement to report over three day injuries, any
injury resulting from an accident arising out of or in connection
with work which results in incapacitation for more than three
consecutive days will still need to be recorded. The information
that needs to be recorded is the date and time of the accident;
particulars of the injured person; place where the accident
happened; and a brief description of the circumstances in which the
accident happened. It is sufficient that this is recorded in an
accident book, where such is required.
All incidents can be reported online. Only fatal or major
injuries can be reported by telephone.
View the link to read
the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)'s new guidance on these
changes to RIDDOR.
