Change to HSE rules on accident reporting

As part of the government's committment to reduce red tape, as of 6 April 2012, the reporting requirement in RIDDOR ( Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) for over-three-day injuries has changed.

The trigger point has increased from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened). Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal job.

The deadline by which the over-seven-day injury must be reported has also increased to 15 days from the day of the accident.

Employers, and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR, must still keep a record of all over-three day-injuries. If the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough.

A new leaflet Reporting Accidents and Incidents at Work explains the change, and is available from the HSE website.