New online reporting of injuries and incidents
Jun 27, 2011
HSE introduces new arrangements for online reporting of injuries and incidents
Work-related injuries and incidents reportable under RIDDOR will have to be notified to the HSE via its website from 12 September 2011.
From that date, reportable work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system, with a suite of seven forms available on HSE's website.
However, those reporting fatal or major incidents will still be able to do so by telephone, in recognition of the need for a more personal response in such circumstances.
Online reporting is also likely to fulfil the main aim of RIDDOR reform, which is to reduce the administrative and cost burdens on both business and the regulator.
In making this decision, the HSE said that more than half of reportable injuries are already notified through the website and this proportion has been increasing steadily over the past seven years. Taking advantage of the growing use of the Internet allows the HSE to be more efficient in the way it works.
The HSE also emphasised that, because people reporting a traumatic event such as a workplace death or serious injury, “still need that personal interaction”, the notification of such incidents can still be done over the telephone.
In another efficiency measure, the HSE will end its Infoline telephone service on 30 September. Instead, it will be encouraging businesses and members of the public seeking information and official guidance on health and safety to visit its website, which it describes as “a huge knowledge bank where people can access and download information free of charge and use interactive web tools”.
The website currently receives 26 million visits a year and has 100 times more visitors than the Infoline has callers. It has recently been enhanced with interactive tools for low-risk businesses and an expanded ‘frequently-asked questions’ section.
