REPORTING ACCIDENTS (RIDDOR)

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) where any person dies or suffers any of the injuries or conditions specified in the Regulations, or where there is a ‘dangerous occurrence’ as specified in Schedule 2 of the Regulations as a result of work activities then the ‘responsible person’ must notify the enforcing authority – normally the HSE for construction work.

Notification must be online by the way of the HSE’s accident reporting website.

The report must be confirmed in writing within 15 days of the incident.

Responsible Person – may be the employer, self-employed person, someone in control of the premises where work is carried out or someone who provided training for employment.

Accidents that have to be notified

Accidents or incidents that arise out of, or in connection with, work and that fall into the following categories:

  • Fatality
  • Specified Injury
  • Over 7-day injury
  • Any accident or incident involving a member of the public or non-employee being sent to hospital
  • Certain types of Dangerous occurrence

Industrial diseases must also be reported within 12 months of the disease being identified.

Specified Injuries

These include;

  • Any fracture of a bone (other than a finger, thumb or toes)
  • Any amputation
  • Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine
  • Loss of sight (whether temporary or permanent)
  • A chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye
  • Injury resulting from an electrical shock or electrical burns leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for over 24 hours
  • Injuries leading to hypothermia, heat induced illness or unconsciousness, or requiring resuscitation or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
  • Loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent
  • Acute illness requiring medical attention or loss of consciousness resulting from the absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin
  • Acute illness requiring medical treatment where it may be caused by exposure to a biological agent, its toxins or infected material

What are ‘over 7 day’ injuries?

When a person at work is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days from their normal work due to an injury from an accident at work, then the accident must be reported.

The day the accident happens DOES NOT count in calculating the 7 days, however any days that would not be normal working days (e.g. days off, holidays or weekends) DO count in the 7 days.

If an employee remains at work but cannot carry out their usual work then the accident must still be notified.

What are Dangerous Occurrences?

  • >The collapse, overturning or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment
  • The accidental release of a biological agent likely to cause human illness
  • The accidental release of a substance that may damage health
  • The explosion, collapse or bursting of a vessel or associated pipework
  • An electrical short circuit or overload causing fire or explosion
  • An explosion or fire causing suspension of work for over 24 hours
  • The collapse of scaffolding