The Significance of Accurate Work-Related Accident Reporting

Compliance with Legal Obligations

When any workplace accident occurs, regardless of its perceived severity, it is imperative to meticulously record the incident. These records must be securely maintained, aligning with the stringent requirements of Data Protection Regulations.

Accurate Documentation

Accident books serve as vital tools to ensure that the correct information is recorded. Many of these books also provide comprehensive instructions to guide individuals in completing reports accurately.

Reporting Under RIDDOR

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) mandates the reporting of certain accidents and incidents. It encompasses a range of reportable injuries and events, including:

• Reportable Injuries: This category encompasses all fatalities of both workers and non-workers resulting from work-related accidents. It extends to acts of physical violence against workers.
• Specified Injuries: Specified injuries include fractures (excluding fingers, thumbs, and toes), amputations, permanent loss or reduction of sight, crush injuries leading to internal organ damage, serious burns (covering over 10% of the body or affecting vital organs), scalping (skin separation from the head requiring hospital treatment), and unconsciousness caused by various factors.
• Seven-Day Reporting: If an employee or self-employed person cannot perform their regular duties for over seven consecutive days due to a work-related accident, it must be reported under RIDDOR.
• Public Injuries: Work-related accidents resulting in injuries to members of the public, requiring hospital treatment, should be reported.
• Hospital-Based Incidents: Hospital-based accidents fall under reporting requirements only if they involve specified injuries as defined by RIDDOR.

Dangerous Occurrences

Dangerous occurrences pertain to specified near-miss events in the workplace with the potential for harm. While not all near-misses need reporting, there are 27 categories of dangerous occurrences applicable to most workplaces. These encompass incidents such as the collapse or failure of lift equipment, contact with overhead power lines, and explosions or fires resulting in work stoppage exceeding 24 hours.

Specialized Categories

It is noteworthy that specialized categories of dangerous occurrences exist for mines, quarries, offshore workplaces, certain transport systems, and reportable gas incidents relevant to those dealing with flammable gas distribution, import, filling, or supply.