Safety Advisors Back Accident Reporting Changes

A survey by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) of its members has indicated support for a change in the type of work-related accidents businesses must report.

Around 65% of IOSH's members who took part in the survey on the planned reforms by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of the accident reporting system supported a move from a "three-day injury" reporting regime to seven days.

At present, employers must contact the regulator when an employee is incapacitated for more than three days with an injury sustained at work.

However, IOSH says many of its members in the UK, who advise on health and safety across industry, think this can be unhelpful for some firms.

They are calling on the Government to link reporting to the "fit note" to trigger action and save employers time by requiring reports only for incapacity of over seven days.

IOSH says this system would:

• allow a link to "fit notes" enabling doctors to advise people who are on sick leave for more than seven days whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work earlier

• reduce the amount of time employers spend on reporting to the authorities

• be a more proportionate regime, which is more indicative of the severity of the injury

• address any confusion surrounding shift-working and working at weekends

• help the HSE prioritise as it addresses its 35% cut in funding.

IOSH said, however, that it would want to see any reporting change supported by clear guidance, advising that businesses would still need to record and attempt to prevent "three-day injuries".

Commenting on the issue, Richard Jones, IOSH Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said, "... most of our member respondents - health and safety professionals working across every sector of industry - believe we should move from a 'three-day' to a 'seven-day injury' reporting regime."

Source: Croner

Posted Date: 02nd Jun 2011