News

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) are about to take effect. The Regulation requires Employers to notify the Enforcing Authority of specified Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences which either take place at work or because of a work activity.

Practical Compliance Today Ltd Director Mark Wheeldon (Chartered Safety & Health Practitioner) explains: "lots of organisations are either unaware of the RIDDOR Regulations or are unclear as to what needs to be reported and by when. Failure to report required events / injuries / diseases within the defined time periods can lead to enforcement action. This is because the reporting requirements are classed as Absolute Duties under Health and Safety Law."

The main changes (which will come into effect on the 1^st October) are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• The classification of ‘major injuries' to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries'.
• The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease is being 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 which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven days.

Further information and guidance (again subject to Parliamentary approval) can be found here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg453.htm