RIDDOR Review Welcomed by Work at Height Charity

GOVERNMENT plans for reviewing health and safety regulations, including reporting of workplace accidents under RIDDOR, have been welcomed by a work at height charity.

The No Falls Foundation is welcoming news that the Government and regulators are set to consult on Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 requirements.

HSE is initiating a consultation on potential changes to the definitions, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences reported under RIDDOR 2013 to make it more efficient.

RIDDOR Review

Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries in the UK, accounting for 36% of all fatalities in 2023/241.

They are required by law to be reported by employers through RIDDOR, with over 5,000 non-fatal falls from height reported by employers in 2022/232 alone.

The No Falls Foundation point out, however, there is substantial underreporting of non-fatal falls from height. This is particularly the case for the self-employed, who were found to report just 12% of workplace incidents.

This is most likely due to a combination of factors: a lack of awareness about what is reportable, uncertainty about who is responsible for reporting, and a perception that reporting is burdensome. A simplified reporting system would address these issues.

The charity has long supported a call for simplified reporting, backing the previous All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height’s recommendations to streamline reporting and make it easier for employers to report incidents when they do occur.

Better Quality Data

Peter Bennett, No Falls Foundation Chair

Peter Bennett OBE, Chair of the No Falls Foundation, said: “We fully support the Government’s plans to review the current RIDDOR reporting system and ensure businesses can comply in the most efficient way possible, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the consultation and review process.

“In the past, RIDDOR has proven to be a vital UK regulation aimed at improving workplace health and safety through the reporting of work-related injuries, however right now, the data collected on workplace accidents is limited.

“The implementation of a streamlined service that simplifies reporting of workplace incidents would address any shortfalls of the current system, enabling the gathering of better-quality data, reducing the administrative burden for businesses, and providing valuable insight to help make more informed decisions to keep workers safe.”

Other Roofing Related Regulations Reviewed

The review of outdated prescriptive legislation announced by government will include the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 that apply to powered access to roofs.

Alongside this, Defra will reduce UK REACH fees next month by an estimated £40m in total over the next 6 years, with the cost of registration expected to reduce for over 90% of firms. REACH regulations apply to many of the chemical manufacturers producing flat roofing coverings.

>> Read more about the No Falls Foundation in the news