Accident at work reporting poised to change

Published: 12/07/2013

The way businesses report an accident at work is changing, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced.

The proposed changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) published this week are designed to simplify the existing process which is mandatory for all businesses following a workplace accident.

While still subject to Parliamentary approval, the changes are expected to be implemented in October; businesses therefore have the next three months to familiarise themselves with the new process.

A full breakdown of the changes is available on the HSE website but, in summary, the changes impact on the following areas:

• Major injuries will be replaced with a shorter list of specified injuries
• The 47 types of industrial disease will be replaced with 8 categories of reportable work-related illness
• Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting.

Employers have a legal obligation to report any accidents at work. Where appropriate the HSE will then investigate how and why an accident has occurred.

It is believed these new changes will lead to fewer accidents being reported overall.

If you have suffered an accident at work you could be able to make a claim for compensation. We appreciate making a claim against your employer can be quite unsettling. However if you do decide to pursue a claim you are fully protected; your employer cannot discriminate against you nor can your contract cannot be terminated.

What’s more if you are about to return to work following an accident, our free guide can help ease any anxieties you may have.

Content correct at time of publication