Risk news

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made guidance explaining upcoming changes to RIDDOR available to download from its website.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations – RIDDOR – requires employers to report serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and near misses.

From April 6th 2012, subject to Parliamentary approval, RIDDOR's over three day injury reporting requirement will change.

From then the trigger point will increase 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 work.

The deadline by which the over seven day injury must be reported will also increase 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," the regulator said.