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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