Understanding RIDDOR; Protecting Workplaces Through Effective Reporting
In the workplace ensuring the wellbeing of your employees is a major priority. One of the cornerstones of this responsibility lies in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013) also known as RIDDOR. As a trusted health and safety consultancy we want you to understand why RIDDOR matters and how it can help to safeguard your workplace.
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is a legal framework that mandates the reporting of certain incidents that can occur in the workplace. This includes accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences. The purpose of RIDDOR is to allow the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities to monitor accident trends, identify how risks arise and investigate serious accidents. It’s in place to hold employers responsible for negligence or bad working behaviours. By reporting any incidents as required, employers ensure that these risks are addressed, do not escalate and are kept to a minimum.
Why Does RIDDOR Matter?
RIDDOR matters for a number of reasons one of the main being that it is legal obligation. Here we take a deeper look: -
- Legal Compliance: RIDDOR is a legal obligation for employers. Failing to report incidents when required can result in legal consequences. By adhering to RIDDOR, you not only protect employees but also safeguard your organisations reputation and the potential for legal repercussions.
- Employee Welfare: At the heart of every organisation are its employees. RIDDOR ensures that any accidents or incidents that could potentially harm workers are reported and investigated promptly. By being proactive the approach helps to prevent further harm and demonstrates your commitment to your workforce’s safety.
Key Reporting Categories for RIDDOR
If someone has died or injured because of a work-related accident this may have to be reported. Not all accidents need to be reported, other than for certain gas incidents, a RIDDOR report is required only when:
- the accident is work related.
- it results in an injury of a type which is reportable.
Here we look at the key reporting categories under RIDDOR:
- Fatalities, all deaths to workers and non-workers, except for suicides, must be reported if they arise from a work-related accident, including an act of physical violence to a worker.
- Specified Injuries, this includes: -
- 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 7 Day Injuries, any workplace injury that results in an employee’s absence from work for more than seven consecutive days must be reported. 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.
- Diseases, occupational diseases, such as work-related cancer or respiratory conditions, these should be reported when diagnosed by a medical professional. They could 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, the types of incidents that could have caused harm but luckily did not. This could include if there has been a structural collapse or machinery malfunction.
- Gas Incidents, distributors, fillers, importers & suppliers of flammable gas must report incidents where someone has died, lost consciousness, or been taken to hospital for treatment to an injury arising in connection with that gas.
- Non fatal accidents to non-workers, 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.
Would this be reportable? - A member of the public banged his head on a fairground ride when it stopped unexpectedly. He looked OK but went off to hospital for a check-up anyway.
The answer would be Yes if there was an apparent head injury. You must report cases where a person not at work is injured due to a work-related accident and is taken from your premises to a hospital for treatment to that injury. However, if are you informed that the hospital could find no injury, not even a minor cut or abrasion, before you make the report you do not have to do so. Where there is no apparent injury, and a person is taken to hospital as a purely precautionary measure, this should not be reported.
The HSE website has more details on reporting categories but we know that it can sometimes be hard for employers to know where to start from what they should report, how to provide the information and knowing how to best explain what has happened. We have helped countless clients navigate RIDDOR compliance and we can certainly help with this.
ST Safety Services Role in RIDDOR Compliance
As a health and safety consultancy, our mission is to guide and support you in meeting your legal obligations while fostering a culture of safety excellence. We can assist in: -
- RIDDOR Reporting
- Educating Your Team: We ensure that your employees are aware of the RIDDOR and what to do.
- Incident Investigation: Our experts help you thoroughly investigate incidents, uncover their root causes, and help with suggestions for corrective actions to prevent them happening again.
- Continuous Improvement: We collaborate with you to implement robust safety measures and training programs that reduce the likelihood of incidents.
RIDDOR is more than just a set of regulations, it is a mechanism for protecting lives and stepping up workplace safety. Those that embrace RIDDOR reporting fulfil their legal obligations and demonstrate their commitment to the wellbeing of their workforce.
Contact us to learn how we can assist you in navigating the path of RIDDOR to create a safer working environment for all. Your employees deserve nothing less.