RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19 incidents updated

The advice document, published this week (7 April) says companies must make a report under the system in the following circumstances:  

• An unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence 
• A worker has been diagnosed as having COVID 19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work. This must be reported as a case of disease 
• A worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus

The advice could be important for many waste companies which remain operational during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly those with frontline staff.  

Dangerous occurrences  

The guide is split into three sections: Dangerous occurrences, biologicial and fatalities.  

It states if something happens at work which results in (or could result in) the release or escape of coronavirus, the guidance says companies must report this as a dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR. 

Biological 

The HSE explained that if there is “reasonable evidence” that someone diagnosed with COVID-19 was likely exposed because of their work, it must be reported as an exposure to a biological agent using the case of disease report.  

An example of a work-related exposure to coronavirus would be a health care professional who is diagnosed with coronavirus after treating patients who have the virus, the HSE said. Refuse workers could also fall under this category.  

Fatalities 

The guidance added that if someone dies as a result of a work related exposure to coronavirus and this is confirmed as the likely cause of death by a registered medical practitioner then companies must report this 2as soon as is practical” and within 10 days of the death. 

Social distancing 

The advice comes as the HSE’s Scottish arm, Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland (PHASS), issued a warning to Scottish firms over social distancing measures.  

PHASS said that if it comes to its attention that employers are not complying with the relevant public heath guidance it will consider a range of actions ranging from specific advice to employers through to issuing enforcement notices. 

A statement from PHASS said: “We have high expectations of how fair work principles should be applied during the current crisis. This means an approach where workers, trade unions and employers work together constructively to reach the right decisions on all workplace issues that arise throughout this crisis”.