What's New?!

Important changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)

From 6th April 2012, subject to Parliamentary approval, the RIDDOR requirement to report 'over three day injuries' will change. From then the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened). Incapacitation means that the employee is absent or is unable to do the work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal duties. However, under EU law, employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over three day injuries – if the employer keeps an accident book, then this record will be enough. The deadline by which the 'over seven day injury' must be reported will increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.

A new explains leaflet explains the changes in more detail: 

European Week for Safety and Health 2010-11 

This year’s campaign is focussed on highlighting the hazards that can be associated with maintenance activities, e.g. disturbance of asbestos, falls from height and electrocution. For more information read about the campaign.

The Health and Safety Team are currently organising a project to coincide with this campaign - details will appear on the website shortly.

12 Steps to Health and Safety for New Businesses

If you are new business and would like a step by step guide on how to comply with health and safety law then please read our 12 step Health and Safety Plan.

Health and Safety Made Simple!

Do you find 'health and safety' complicated? Are you unsure what you need to do to comply with the law? Fear not, help is at hand! The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) appreciate that some businesses may find their duty to comply with health and safety law quite a daunting task. As such they have set up an online step by step guideto assist businesses with meeting basic requirements. 

The online guide provides advice as well as downloadable leaflets and templates on risk assessments, health and safety policies, accident reporting, staff training, etc. 

The guide is available on the HSE web site at

www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htm

Press Releases

For information about enforcement action, current projects and both local and national health and safety issues please explore our press release section.