RIDDOR reporting period extended

Health & Safety update 02/09/2011

The reporting period for injuries sustained at work is to be extended from three to seven days off sick. This follows analysis of responses to the consultation on RIDDOR carried out earlier this year in which the responses were almost 2:1 in favour.

According to the HSE, a majority of respondents felt the change would not have an adverse consequence on national statistics. Other positive key themes were that administration burdens will be reduced, aligning the reporting period with that required under the fit-note system will make sickness absence easier to manage and the extended period will allow more time for employers to investigate the incident internally.

Concerns highlighted by those against the change included the likelihood of a lowering of standards, less opportunity for employers and regulators to spot trends and incidents that could have resulted in more serious injuries and overall less compliance with RIDDOR.

A number of others, including IOSH, the CBI and trades unions, while supporting the change, called for a fuller review of the Regulations. Head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, Richard Jones, said: "In our own survey on RIDDOR, members were two-to-one in favour of the change, but a significant number had concerns that this would lead to 'over three-day' accidents being trivialised. We also believe a wider review of RIDDOR is needed."

To this end, the HSE has signalled its intention to look at wider issues surrounding RIDDOR 12 months after the current amendment comes into effect, which is likely to be from 6 April next year.

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