Accidents in the workplace

Accident Reporting
To report accidents are work, phone the hotline: 0845 300 99 23

• Introduction
• The cost
• What is RIDDOR?
• What type of accidents do I need to report?
• When and who do I need to report accidents and injuries?
• Further information
• References

Introduction

It is estimated that 1.6 million accidents occur each year in the workplace with a cost to industry of around £700m. It is, therefore, important to identify the cause of accidents so that they can be prevented in future and to reduce injury, ill-health and costs to businesses.

In order to identify the cause of accidents it is good practice for businesses to investigate those that occur in the workplace so that preventative measures can be put in place to reduce the risk of them happening again. In addition to this, the more serious accidents that occur are required to be reported to the Enforcing Authority so that they can be investigated to identify trends and to ensure suitable control measures are put in place to prevent them from happening again. This is a requirement of RIDDOR 1995.

The cost

• Cost to UK economy £4-6 billion per annum.
• One in 11 employees injured or made ill by their work activity everyday.
• 20 million working days are lost each year because of accidents and injuries.
• 35% of all reported accidents are due to slips, trips and falls.
• 10% of occupational dermatitis occurs in the catering industry.
• In an average year 1000 people are killed in workplaces.
• 100,000 injuries occur per annum due to incorrect lighting.
  

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. As can be seen from the title, these regulations also cover certain diseases and dangerous occurrences that occur as a result of a work activity, as well as accidents. These are few compared to accidents, but must not be forgotten.

The Enforcing Authorities are either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Local Authority depending on the type of business or work activity. Most businesses and work activities in the borough will come under the remit of the Local Authority, The Royal Borough. These businesses include offices, shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs, pubs, leisure centres, hairdressers and launderettes etc. Slips, trips and falls cause the majority of injuries in the local authority enforced sector on the same level. The majority of fatal accidents in this sector are caused by falls from height and being struck by moving vehicles or objects.

All employers, the self-employed and those in control of premises have duties to report under RIDDOR '95 so should be aware of the requirements. It is a criminal offence not to comply with the regulations.

What type of accidents do I need to report?

Generally, the following types of accident require reporting:

• The death or major injury of an employee.
• A member of the public that is killed or taken to hospital.
• An employee who suffers from an 'Over-3-Day' injury i.e. where they take more than 3 days off work as a result of injury.

Major injuries include fractures, amputations, dislocations, eye injuries and certain other injuries that require more than 24 hours in hospital.

When and who do I need to report accidents and injuries?

If death or major injury occurs to a member of staff or a member of the public is killed or taken to hospital the accident must be reported immediately and followed up by a written report within 10 days. The written report is made on form F2508. If an employee suffers an 'over-3-day' injury it must be reported on the F2508 form within 10 days.

All accidents should be reported to the Incident Contact Centre (ICC). They can be contacted in various ways:-
Tel:0845 300 9923
Internet: www.riddor.gov.uk
Email: riddor@natbrit.com
Fax: 0845 300 9924
Post: Incident Contact Centre, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

The ICC will then forward the details on to the relevant Enforcing Authority who may then contact you.

Further information

Further information about the types of accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences that require reporting can be found in the HSE publication 'RIDDOR Explained' (HSE 31). This is free and can be obtained from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165 or can be found on the following website: RIDDOR explained [PDF file information]. This leaflet also contains a pro-forma of the reporting form F2508, but additional forms can be obtained from the above address.

Other references

• Reduce Risks - Cut Costs. The real cost of accidents and ill health at work: Reduce risks - cut costs [PDF file information].
• Managing Health and Safety - 5 Steps to Successful Health and Safety Management Ind(g) 132l: Managing health and safety [PDF file information].
• A guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (L73)
• Successful Health and Safety Management HS(G) 65.

The above publications can all be obtained from HSE Books.

For further advice and information please contact the Health and Safety Team.

 

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