If you are an employee

If you are an employee that has been injured at work, seen a dangerous occurrence, or your doctor has certified that you have a work related reportable disease, you must inform your employer or the person in control of the premises as it is their responsibility to report the incident.

What needs to be reported?

What are these accidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences?

There are many injuries and illnesses which must be reported and the following, while not exhaustive, will give examples from the retail trade of incidents which would be reported: -

• Death, major injury (amputation, broken limbs, dislocations)
• Where an employee or self-employed is injured and the person is away from work or unable to work normally for more than 7 days.
• Back and limb injuries due to lifting, contact with moving equipment etc
• Diseases of the lung or skin resulting from exposure at work
• Infections such as Hepatitis resulting from work related exposure
• Dangerous occurrences such as the accidental release of dangerous substances, or near misses, which would have other than by good fortune, required reporting
• An accident to a non-employee (e.g. a customer) if they are killed or taken to hospital.

Who must report incidents at work

An employer, a person who is self-employed, or someone in control of work premises, have legal duties under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) that require them to report and record some work-related accidents by the quickest means possible.