Workplace accidents

All employers have a legal duty to ensure satisfactory provisions are in place to protect their employees. Employers have a duty to record and report certain accidents and dangerous occurances which resulted from a work activity. We investigate a number accidents to identify failings, help improve standards and reduce the risk of harm to employees.

Accident reporting

Employers have a duty under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR '95) to report certain dangerous occurrences and accidents at work to the Local Authority who will investigate any incidents. The outcome of these enquiries usually involves the giving of advice to the employer. If a breach of statutory requirements is identified as the main reason for an accident happening, then formal action could be taken.

The RIDDOR reporting system is run and managed by the Health and Safety Executive for further details and for reporting incidents please click the following link RIDDOR website

Consultations are currently taking place on proposed changes to the regulations, which may alter what accidents and dangerous occurances must be reported. The consultation period ends on the 28th of October 2012 and the proposed changes will then be implemented in the new year. If you would like to participate in the consultation please click the following link Consultative document

Recording of accidents

It is recommended that all employers record accidents and near misses within the workplace as this will help inform decision makers on where improvements may be necessary. It is a legal requirement to record accidents which are deemed as reportable under RIDDOR.

Investigation of accidents

Once we have been notified about an accident, we will make an assessment as to whether further investigation is appropriate. This will depend upon for example, the seriousness of the incident and how easily it could have been avoided. We may make contact with the injured person or visit the workplace. Where appropriate we may wish to take witness statements, view documents or take photographs.

The purpose of an accident investigation is to:

establish the cause
identify the steps an employer could be taking to minimise the possibility of reoccurrence

When we consider we have sufficient information from all relevant parties we will make an assessment as to the most appropriate course of action having regard to our National guidance documents and our enforcement policy. This action may include informal advice, service of a Notice and/or Prosecution.

Should you want to report an accident or near misses directly please contact us on the details below.