Amendments to RIDDOR Reporting
The HSE has updated its guidance on when and how to report incidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
Although the legal requirements have not changed, the guidance will help you understand how and when to submit a report under RIDDOR.
The updates are based on feedback gathered from stakeholders who felt the guidance was unclear in some places, particularly around reporting occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences. It was also felt the online reporting forms were hard to follow and would benefit from improved guidance.
The main changes to the guidance include:
- more direct links to guidance on the various types of reportable incidents to help you decide whether a report is required
- improved guidance on who should and should not report under RIDDOR
- improved guidance on what is meant by a ‘work-related’ accident
- information on when an occupational disease is not reportable
- increased clarity on when an ‘over-7-day’ absence should be reported
The main changes to the online forms include:
- the questions have been reordered to bring questions about the ‘severity of injuries’ to the beginning – this will help you quickly decide if your incident is reportable
- pop-up messages will now redirect you if the incident is not reportable
- guidance has been improved throughout the forms to make them easier to use
- injured or affected people now have an increased number of options when completing the gender field
For further information, please visit RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 – HSE
Updates on Controlling Legionella Bacteria
The HSE has also updated its technical guidance publication ‘The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Evaporative Cooling Systems’ (HSG274: Part 1).
The guidance for managing the legionella risk presented by evaporative cooling systems has been improved in several areas.
These changes include:
- further information on DPD No 1 testing methodology
- the effect that cooling water pH has on the efficacy of halogen-based biocides such as chlorine and bromine
Many organisations rely on this test to ensure correct dosing of their systems. The pH correction of free-halogen test results is a vital part in ensuring that you have sufficient biocide in your system to prevent the growth of legionella.
For further information, please visit Legionnaires’ Disease – Technical Guidance
Metalworking Fluid or ‘White Water’ Inspections
Since October last year, the HSE has been inspecting manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids in their machining processes, with more than half of inspections identifying failings.
As a result, enforcement action has been taken against employers, with the most common failings found to be:
- not having local exhaust ventilation
- not completing regular fluid quality checks
- not providing health surveillance for lung and skin conditions
For further information and guidance, please visit the HSE’s Metalworking Fluids Campaign
Need advice?
For any health and safety inquiries, feel free to reach out to our team today by calling 02920 853788 or emailing us at tcms@thomas-carroll.co.uk.
