The what, why, when & how to reporting incidents and accidents to the HSE – four simple steps!

The four simple steps!

Step One – What must I report?

• deaths;
• major injuries;
• over-3-day injuries – where an employee or self-employed person is away from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than 3 consecutive days;
• injuries to members of the public or people not at work where they are taken from the scene of an accident to hospital;
• some work-related diseases;
• dangerous occurrences – where something happens that does not result in an injury, but could have done;
• Gas Safe registered gas fitters must also report dangerous gas fittings they find, and gas conveyors/suppliers must report some flammable gas incidents.

Step Two – How do I report?

• By phone: 0845 300 99 23 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              
• Online: HSE RIDDOR – Report online^[9]
• By email: riddor@connaught.plc.uk
• By Post: Incident Contact Centre, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Step Three – When do I need to notify the HSE?

There are varying timescales for reporting different types of incidents, however, it is advisable to ring and report the incident as soon as possible.

• In cases of death, major injury, or dangerous occurrences, you must notify the enforcing authority without delay,
• Cases of over-three day injuries must be notified within ten days of the incident occurring.
• Cases of disease should be reported as soon as a doctor notifies you that your employee suffers from a reportable work-related disease.

 Step Four – What records do I need to keep?

You must keep a record of any reportable injury, disease or dangerous occurrence. This must include the date and method of reporting; the date, time and place of the event; personal details of those involved; and a brief description of the nature of the event or disease.

Remember:  Adopting good internal accident investigations will find the ‘root cause’ of the accident and hopefully prevent subsequent accidents. Accident Investigation skills training for your Line Managers is key. 

News update:     

The Lord Young Common Sense, Common Safety Report recommended that RIDDOR be amended

“…by extending to seven days the period before an injury or accident needs to be reported’. The proposal amendment would increase the current ‘over three day’ period to over seven consecutive days.” 

In line with commitments made in the Government’s formal response to the report, HSE has opened a three month consultation commencing in January 2011.

Further updates expected end May 2011 – watch this space…

For further information or advice, contact:  alison@charitydirection.com or call 0845 313 3457

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