Risk, Health and Safety Information

RIDDOR changes for October 2013

From 1 October 2013 changes will be introduced to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) that will simplify the mandatory reporting of workplace injuries for businesses, while ensuring that the data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents.

To allow businesses time to familiarise themselves with the changes, the following information has been developed to support dutyholders with the requirements.

What is changing?

The changes follow a recommendation by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his report ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety legislation’. Although the process for implementing the changes is on track for implementation from October 2013, they remain subject to Parliamentary approval.

The main changes are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• The classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of
  ‘specified injuries’.
• The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.
• Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting.

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for:

• Fatal accidents.
• Accidents to non-workers (members of the public).
• Accidents which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven days.

Guidance

Subject to Parliamentary approval, this guidance applies from 1 October 2013:

• Draft INDG 453: 'A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR )