Keep a record
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), ‘specified injuries’ suffered as a result of accidents at work should be reported to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) within 24 days of confirmation of the injury or at the earliest opportunity.
RIDDOR is the law that requires employers, and other people in charge of work premises, to report and keep records of:
• Work-related accidents which cause deaths
• Work-related accidents which cause certain serious injuries (reportable injuries)
• Diagnosed cases of certain industrial diseases; and
• Certain ‘dangerous occurrences’ (incidents with the potential to cause harm).
To aid compliance to the RIDDOR Reporting Regulations 2013, confirmation of injuries and a date of diagnosis need to be obtained by the colleague in writing at the initial point of contact. This can be via either a medical professional at a hospital/walk-in centre or a general practitioner (GP).
Specified injuries to workers
The list of ‘specified injuries’ in RIDDOR 2013 replaces the previous list of ‘major injuries’ in RIDDOR 1995. Specified injuries include:
• Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
• Amputations
• Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
• Any crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
• Serious burns (including scalding) which covers more than 10% of the body, or causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs
• Any scalping requiring hospital treatment
• Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
• Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness, or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
A full list of specified injuries can be found on the HSE website here.
Further advice can be obtained from the Accident Reporting Centre (ARC) Team on 01902 877 468 or by e-mailing accident.management@royalmail.com.
