Employers will be aware that under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) employers are obliged to report to the HSE and keep records of work related deaths, serious injuries, cases of diagnosed industrial diseases and certain “dangerous occurrences” which are known as near miss incidents.

From 6 April 2012 the over three day injury at work reporting requirement changed, now the reporting requirement is for people injured for more than seven days. Employers only have to report injuries that lead to a worker being incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days as the result of an occupational accident or injury. This time limit does not count the day of the accident but it does include weekends and rest days. The word ‘incapacitation’ means that the worker is absent or is unable to do the work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work. Employers must report the incident within 15 days.

You must remember that reporting injury is still a legal requirement so you must keep a record of any death, injury, occupational diseases or dangerous occurrences and any occupational accidents and injuries that result in the worker being away from work or incapacitated for more than three consecutive days (not including the day of the accident). It is sensible that all employers keep an accident book for these purposes.

You can make the report online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor and complete the appropriate online report form. The form will be submitted directly and you will receive a copy for your records. All incidents can be reported online but a telephone service remains available for reporting fatal and major injuries only on 0845 300 9923 between 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The HSE has an out of hours duty officer and if employers need to contact the HSE out of hours information can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/outofhours.htm.