August 2013 | Walker Health and Safety

RIDDOR changes spark row

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the construction trade union UCATT have slammed the proposed changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), arguing that they will lead to a further downgrading in safety reporting.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 will apply from 1 October 2013.

Trade unions have criticised the changes for reducing the number of major injuries which require an automatic RIDDOR report.

A trade union source listed the following injuries as examples of those which will no longer require an automatic report:

an electrical shock leading to unconsciousness, resuscitation or admittance to hospital
a temporary loss of eyesight
dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine
unconsciousness or acute illness caused by a biological agent its toxins or infected material
an acute illness requiring medical treatment
loss of consciousness due to absorbing or inhaling a substance.

The latest proposed changes come just over a year after previous changes to RIDDOR.

As of 6 April 2012, RIDDOR’s over-three-day injury reporting requirement changed. The trigger point has increased from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened).

The reduction in the requirement to report major injuries could be dangerous. Many of these type of injury are potentially life changing for those involved. If companies no longer have to report them then they are less likely to take preventive measures to stop them reoccurring.

Ensure your company has procedures in place and that employees are trained, instructed and informed in their work duties and that of the company procedures.

If you require assistance contact us.

New guidance – Tattooing and body piercing safety

Currently there are no national standards for tattooing and body piercing and there is a need to promote safety and consistency across the range of tattooing and body piercing practices, as health risks can arise from improper practice, particularly poor infection control practice.

Such health risks include infections, such as the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses like hepatitis B and C, and HIV.

It is thought by introducing a guidance will help to ensure the health and safety of both clients and operators and that tattooing and skin piercing practitioners will be operating in compliance with legal requirements.

The guidance is open for review over the next six months, until 8 February 2014.

Click here to read the draft. http://www.cieh.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=47704