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RIDDOR Changes

An update to the consultation on the “Common Sense, Common Safety” recommendation to amend RIDDOR:

The amendment would increase the “over three” days time period after which an injury must be reported to enforcing authorities to “over seven” days. The increased period coincides with the point when an employee who is absent from work due to ill health or injury must obtain a “fit note” from their doctor. The injury must result from an incident that arose out of or is connected with the work activity. It would remain a legal requirement for employers and others to keep a record of over three day injuries for three years.

A number of respondents, including the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) while supporting the change, asked for a fuller review of the regulations as did Trades Unions. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the Royal Collage of Physicians opposed the change and sought a fundamental review of RIDDOR instead.

The Board is therefore invited to recommend to the Secretary of State that the proposed change should be carried into effect. The Board may wish to accompany its recommendation with a covering letter identifying some other issues and concerns raised in the consultation.

If the Board agrees and recommends to the Secretary of State that regulation 3(2) of RIDDOR is amended in line with the Government’s proposal, the key milestones would be:

  • Submission to Ministers – week commencing 5 September 2011
  • Submit regulations to Ministers for signing – week commencing 26 December
    2011
  • Regulations laid before Parliament - week commencing 13 February 2012
  • Common Commencement Date – Regulation in force – 6 April 2012

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