Statistics show that in Britain 300 people a year lose their lives whilst at work. In addition, around 158 thousand non-fatal injuries are reported each year, and an estimated 2.2 million suffer from ill health caused or made worse by work.
The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 makes it a legal requirement that all accidents, however minor, should be recorded in a suitable accident book. Where there are 10 or more employees, all accidents should be recorded in an accident book (Bl 510). In order to comply with data protection legislation, records should be torn out of the accident book and stored securely leaving a blank accident book each time.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 makes it a legal requirement to report certain accidents and ill health at work. This information then enables the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities to identify where and how risks arise and to investigate accidents. All accidents are investigated in accordance with the Councils' Health and Safety Enforcement Policy and appropriate procedures and protocols.
What incidents must be reported?
- death or major injury
- an over-seven-day injury (that is when an employee or self-employed person has an accident at work and is away from work or unable to do the full range of their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days, but does not have a major injury)
* You must still keep a record of an accident if the worker has been incapacitated for more than three consecutive days. - a work-related disease, notified by a GP
- a dangerous occurrence (this is when something happens that does not result in a reportable injury, but which clearly could have done)
- a member of the public is killed or taken to hospital from the site of the accident for treatment.
Why must we report incidents?
- to investigate the cause of the incident
- to prevent a reoccurrence of the incident
- to enable duty holders to comply with health and safety legislation
Who must make the Report?
- the employer
- the self employed
- a person in control of premises
Who do I report incidents to?
All incidents can be reported to Incident Contact Centre (ICC) using the appropriate accident reporting form on the HSE website.
The Incident Contact Centre telephone service should only be used for fatal and major Injuries - 0845 300 9923.