There is good sense behind keeping up to date with reporting incidents in the workplace

There is a good reason that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities should be alerted to accidents and incidents in the workplace. Proper reporting allows them to investigate if necessary and also to establish data about how and where risks are likely to arise.

But how many people in the average working environment are aware of the types of incidents that should be reported, and by whom?

Jim Cornwall, Technical and Safety Adviser at SELECT, the authoritative trade association for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, suggests that a good starting point for those who wish to find out is to access free online advice from the HSE on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).

Reporting required by the Regulations allows the authorities to maintain an up-to-date and relevant database which gives them an overview of risk and potential areas of risk. They also allow them to target their activities and advise employers on strategies to help prevent injuries, ill health and accidental loss.

The Regulations place a legal duty on employers, self-employed people and those in control of premises to report work-related deaths, major injuries, over-three-day injuries, work related diseases and dangerous occurrences (near miss accidents).

Regarding recently published HSE guidance on the Regulations, Jim Cornwall said: ìOther than minor amendments to reflect recent changes in legislation, the Regulations themselves remain largely unchanged. The guidance, however, has been updated, particularly in relation to changes in the reporting arrangements.î

Jim advises that the easiest way to report an incident is by contacting the HSE Incident Contact Centre (ICC), which is a ëone-stopí reporting service for work-related health and safety incidents in the UK. This may be done by: calling 0845 300 9923 during normal office hours; online or by e-mail by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/riddor; or by post.

The primary responsibility for reporting incidents rests with the employer. They must report any work-related deaths, major injuries, cases of disease or near misses involving employees, wherever they are working, by calling the ICC as soon as possible. Major injuries include certain fractures, eye injuries, electric shock and electric burn injuries, among others.

If there is an accident connected with work and an employee suffers an over-three-day injury (i.e. they are away from work or unable to perform their normal duties for more than three days) it must be reported by his employer within 10 days.

There is also a duty on persons in control of premises. They must report any work-related deaths and injuries to members of the public and self-employed people on their premises and near miss incidents.

Self-employed persons working in someone elseís premises who suffer a major or over-three-day injury should inform the person in control of the premises, as they will be responsible for reporting. If they are working on their own premises or are told by a doctor that they have a work-related disease, however, they will need to report it themselves.

An employee who has been injured at work, had a near miss or has been certified by a doctor that they have a work-related disease must inform their employer, as it is their responsibility to report it.

Gas suppliers and gas fitters have additional responsibilities for reporting deaths, injuries or dangerous conditions arising from gas appliances or fittings.

Issued by Karen Maclachlan at Blueprint Media tel. 0141 353 5501