October 1 sees the introduction of some important changes to accident reporting and first aid, which will be relevant to most businesses.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) will come into force with key changes being made in the following areas:
- The list of reportable major injuries will be replaced with a shorter list of ‘Specified Injuries’.
- The list of reportable industrial diseases is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.
- Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting.
There are no significant changes concerning requirements to report the following:
- Fatal accidents.
- Accidents to non-workers (members of the public).
- Accidents which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven consecutive days.
In addition, employers must also keep records of any occupational accident that results in a worker being off work or incapacitated for more than three consecutive days. Over-three-day injuries are not reportable unless the incapacitation period extends to over-seven-days.
