RIDDOR changes in October 2013

RIDDOR is due to change in October 2013, although the changes remain subject to Parliamentary approval.

The main changes are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• The classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of
  ‘specified injuries’.
• The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.
• Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting.

Specific injuries will now be:

• a fracture, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes;
• amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe;
• permanent loss of sight or reduction of sight;
• crush injuries leading to internal organ damage;
• serious burns (covering more than 10% of the body, or damaging the eyes, 
• respiratory system or other vital organs);
• scalpings (separation of skin from the head) which require hospital treatment;
• unconsciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia; 
• any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space, which leads to 
• hypothermia, heat-induced illness or requires resuscitation or admittance to 
• hospital for more than 24 hours.

Work-related illness will now be:

• carpal tunnel syndrome; 
• severe cramp of the hand or forearm; 
• occupational dermatitis; 
• hand-arm vibration syndrome; 
• occupational asthma;
• tendonitis or tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm;
• any occupational cancer;
• any disease attributed to an occupational exposure to a biological agent.

Changes to dangerous occurrences are presently a bit obscure.
There are 21 instead of the present 27 dangerous occurrences, but they haven't said which yet.
We will keep you updated.