New reporting rules for workplace injuries

From October 1, changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) come into being aimed at simplifying the reporting mechanism.

RIDDOR puts duties on employers, the self-employed, and people in control of work premises, to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational disease and occurrences (near misses).

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) are bringing in the changes to clarify the reporting requirements, while making sure that the data collected gives an accurate picture of workplace incidents.

The main changes cover the following areas:

• The classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’.
• The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease to be replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.
• Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting.

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for:

• Fatal accidents
• Accidents to non-workers (members of the public)
• Accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days

At this stage the changes are subject to parliamentary approval, but it is believed that this will go ahead in time for them to be implemented in October.

The changes will ultimately require fewer incidents to be reported, thus resulting in a massive cost saving for businesses. It is estimated that they will result in a net benefit to business of £5.9 million over a ten-year period.

The changes will have no affect on the way accidents are reported, and the same criteria will apply.

Though the reporting requirements are being eased slightly, this does not in anyway reduce the need for businesses to ensure health and safety in the workplace.

If you require further information on complying with health and safety laws, or any other regulatory legal matter, contact David Edwards on 01772 258321 or David.Edwards@harrison-drury.com