Employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the Responsible Person) have a duty to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses) only when:
- there has been an accident which caused the injury
- the accident was work-related
- the injury is of a type which is reportable
What is an ‘accident’
An accident is a separate, identifiable, unintended incident, which causes physical injury eg a falling object striking someone. This specifically includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work.
What is not an accident
Injuries themselves, eg ‘feeling a sharp twinge’. Cumulative exposures to hazards, which eventually cause injury (eg repetitive lifting).
What is meant by ‘work-related’
RIDDOR only requires you to report accidents if they happen ‘out of or in connection with work’. The fact that there is an accident at work premises does not, in itself, mean that the accident is work-related – the work activity itself must contribute to the accident. An accident is ‘work-related’ if any of the following played a significant role:
- the way the work was carried out
- any machinery, plant, substances or equipment used for the work or
- the condition of the site or premises where the accident happened
The death of any person
All deaths to workers and non-workers, with the exception of suicides, must be reported if they arise from a work-related accident, including an act of physical violence to a worker.
Specified Injuries to workers
- fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
- amputations
- any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
- any crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
- serious burns (including scalding) which:
- covers more than 10% of the body
- causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs
- any scalping requiring hospital treatment
- any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
- any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which:
- leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness
- requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
Over-seven-day incapacitation of a worker
Accidents must be reported where they result in an employee or self-employed person being away from work, or unable to perform their normal work duties, for more than seven consecutive days as the result of their injury. This seven day period does not include the day of the accident, but does include weekends and rest days. The report must be made within 15 days of the accident.
Over-three-day incapacitation
Accidents must be recorded, but not reported where they result in a worker being incapacitated for more than three consecutive days.
Non fatal accidents to non-workers (eg members of the public)
Accidents to members of the public or others who are not at work must be reported if they result in an injury and the person is taken directly from the scene of the accident to hospital for treatment to that injury. Examinations and diagnostic tests do not constitute ‘treatment’ in such circumstances. There is no need to report incidents where people are taken to hospital purely as a precaution when no injury is apparent.
Occupational diseases
Employers and self-employed people must report diagnoses of certain occupational diseases, where these are likely to have been caused or made worse by their work: These diseases include:
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- severe cramp of the hand or forearm;
- occupational dermatitis;
- hand-arm vibration syndrome;
- occupational asthma;
- tendonitis or tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm;
- any occupational cancer;
- any disease attributed to an occupational exposure to a biological agent
Dangerous occurrences
Are certain, specified near-miss events. Not all such events require reporting. Some that are relevant to most workplaces, are:
- the collapse, overturning or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment;
- plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines;
- the accidental release of any substance which could cause injury to any person.
How to report.
Reporting online
Complete the appropriate online report form. The form will then be submitted directly to the RIDDOR database. You will receive a copy for your records.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm
Telephone
All incidents can be reported online but a telephone service is also provided for reporting fatal and specified incidents only - call the Incident Contact Centre on 0345 300 9923 (opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5 pm).