CIOB has responded to the HSE consultation on proposed changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), which places a legal duty on employers, self-employed people and people in control of premises. They have to report work-related deaths, major injuries or over-three-day injuries, work-related diseases, and near miss accidents.
The proposed amendment to RIDDOR would extend the need to report an injury from the current time frame of over three days off to over seven. This change is aimed to coincide with the requirement for individuals to obtain a fit note from their GP if they expect to be absent for more than a week.
“We understand the motive to reduce the number of reports businesses have to make. But high-risk industries like construction are different to others and should be seen that way. In our view this change poses a risk to the safety of construction workers and the industry’s ability to spot hazards before they become more serious”, said Adam Hollis from the CIOB’s health and safety advisory committee.
“It should be recognised that diluting RIDDOR will make it seem as less important or, at worst, not mattering at all. There are sectors within the industry whose lack of knowledge and/or resources determine behaviours that include poor reporting. This change won’t improve the accuracy and data we need to drive a best practice culture.”
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