Accident reporting and recording.
Accident reporting
Employers have a duty under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR 2013) 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.
Are you an employee who has been injured at work, or do you wish to complain about your workplace?
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.