SSSTS RIDDOR Accident Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is responsible for reporting incidents under RIDDOR on a construction site?
- The employer, or the person in control of the premises if the injured person is not their employee (Correct answer)
- The injured worker themselves
- The site safety officer only
- The Principal Designer
Correct answer: The employer, or the person in control of the premises if the injured person is not their employee
The duty to report under RIDDOR lies with the employer of the injured worker (for employees), or the person in control of the premises where the injury occurred (for non-employees such as members of the public). The HSE investigates the most serious incidents.
Question 2: What is the purpose of RIDDOR reporting from a construction site supervisor's perspective?
- To provide the HSE with data to identify trends, investigate serious incidents and target enforcement, and to create a record for the site to investigate causes (Correct answer)
- Only to satisfy a legal obligation with no practical benefit
- Only relevant if the HSE decides to prosecute
- Only for insurance purposes
Correct answer: To provide the HSE with data to identify trends, investigate serious incidents and target enforcement, and to create a record for the site to investigate causes
RIDDOR reporting provides the HSE with data to identify industry accident trends and target resources. From the site perspective, reports trigger internal investigation that should lead to improved control measures to prevent recurrence.
Question 3: What is the difference between an 'accident' and a 'near miss'?
- An accident results in injury, damage or loss; a near miss has the potential for harm but does not result in injury (Correct answer)
- They are the same under RIDDOR
- A near miss is always more serious than an accident
- Only accidents need to be reported; near misses are unimportant
Correct answer: An accident results in injury, damage or loss; a near miss has the potential for harm but does not result in injury
An accident results in actual injury, damage or loss. A near miss is an unplanned event that had the potential to cause harm but did not. Both should be recorded and investigated, but only certain accidents and dangerous occurrences are reportable under RIDDOR.
Question 4: Which diseases are reportable under RIDDOR 2013?
- Specified occupational diseases confirmed by a doctor, including occupational asthma, HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome caused by vibration, and others listed in Schedule 3 (Correct answer)
- All illnesses experienced by construction workers
- Any illness requiring time off work
- Only fatal diseases
Correct answer: Specified occupational diseases confirmed by a doctor, including occupational asthma, HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome caused by vibration, and others listed in Schedule 3
RIDDOR 2013 requires reporting of specified occupational diseases confirmed by a doctor when linked to workplace exposure. For construction, these include HAVS, carpal tunnel syndrome caused by vibration, occupational asthma, occupational dermatitis, tendonitis and tenosynovitis.
Question 5: How long must employers keep records of RIDDOR-reportable incidents?
- At least 3 years from the date of the incident (Correct answer)
- 1 year
- 5 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: At least 3 years from the date of the incident
Employers must keep records of all incidents reportable under RIDDOR for at least 3 years. These records can be inspected by HSE inspectors and may be needed in legal proceedings.
Question 6: What immediate action should a site supervisor take following a reportable injury on site?
- Provide first aid, call emergency services if needed, secure the scene, complete accident records and notify management to report to the HSE (Correct answer)
- Carry on working to minimise disruption
- Clean up the area before informing management
- Only notify the HSE and not management
Correct answer: Provide first aid, call emergency services if needed, secure the scene, complete accident records and notify management to report to the HSE
Following a reportable injury: provide and facilitate immediate first aid, call emergency services if required, preserve the scene (do not disturb anything unnecessarily), make a detailed record of the incident, notify management, and ensure the RIDDOR report is made to the HSE within the required timeframe.
SSSTS RIDDOR Accident Reporting 2
Who is responsible for reporting incidents under RIDDOR on a construction site?