Next week sees some important changes to the way inuries in the workplace and work-related illnesses are recorded as the new Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013, and The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act (ERRA) 2013 (Health and Safety) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 come into force on 1 October 2013.
Both pieces of legislation are being implemented by the government in response to Professor Löfstedt's recommendations in his report 'Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety legislation', published in November 2011.
Following a consultation triggered by recommendations from the Löfstedt report, the HSE is making changes to RIDDOR 1995 that it says will clarify and simplify reporting of workplace accidents and ensure data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of accidents at work.
Key changes include; the classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’; replacing the existing schedule detailing 47 types of work related diseases with eight categories of reportable industrial illness; and fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrences’ of work related injuries will require reporting.
The HSE has made it clear that there will be no major changes to the reporting of workplace accidents where there is a fatality, where a member of the public is involved or where an employee is unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days.
According to HSE, the deregulation of RIDDOR will save businesses £5.9 million over a ten year period, as fewer accident at work incidents will need to be reported overall.
This simplification comes as earlier this year, the HSE published figures showing a significant reduction is workplace accidents and Britain continues to have one of the lowest workplace death rates in Europe. Figures show that workplace fatal injuries have halved in the past 18 years but still represent 1 worker per 200,000 employed and self employed.
Guidance on the changes to RIDDOR can be found on the HSE website.
Employers "Duty of Care"
Many accidents at work can be the result of an employer’s negligence or their failure to implement important safety measures, such as providing training, protective clothing or equipment, or through not following COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations.
Employers have a duty of care to their employees, which means they must take reasonable steps to do all they can to prevent accidents at work. If they fail to do this then those who suffer accidents as a result, have the right to seek Industrial Accident Compensation (sometimes also called an Industrial Illness Claim).
Workplace Injury Specilists
If you think you may be entitled to compensation after being injured at work, or are unsure and would like to talk to someone about your situation, then we can help. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
If You Have a Genuine Claim, Contact a Genuine Company.
May I Claim, is a trading name of R Costings Limited and our CRM number is 25770
If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered an injury at work - you can trust us to handle your claim professionally.
Call us now on 0800 756 7774 and talk to us to find out if you have a claim - or fill in our Quick Claim form (on the right of this page).
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/317797/Fewer-Workplace-Injury-Reports-Will-Save-Businesses-Millions
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