HSE to simplify reporting of workplace accidents

The changes are aimed at simplifying and clarifying the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 while ensuring that the data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents.

The HSE says the changes will require fewer incidents to be reported overall, saving businesses £5.9 million over a ten-year period.

The main proposed changes are:

• The classification of 'major injuries' to workers replaced with a shorter list of 'specified injuries'
• The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease to be replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness
• Fewer types of 'dangerous occurrence' will require reporting

There will not be any significant changes to the reporting requirements for fatal accidents, accidents to non-workers (members of the public) or accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days.

They will not alter the current ways to report an incident at work and the criteria that determine whether an incident should be investigated will remain the same.

HSE has published information to support dutyholders with the requirements which, although on track for implementation from October, remain subject to Parliamentary approval.

The information is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/october-2013-changes.htm