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#1 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:02:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter MacDonald
An Forklift operative breaks his leg and two days later is taxied into work to answer the phones on "restricted duties". This is not reportable as the injury did not result in a three day absence from work.

How do we all feel about this?



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#2 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By LittleBG
Peter

A broken leg is classed as a Major Injury under RIDDOR and as such is notifiable regardless of the length of absence.

Cheers

Brian
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#3 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:16:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Peter

As previously stated, a broken leg is reportable anyway as it is a major injury. On the 'over three day' aspect, if the injury is otherwise not reportable but the injured employee is unable to do their normal work for more than 3 days (even if they have returned to work), it becomes reportable.

Paul
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#4 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By Kevin Drew
Surely this is reportable? Paragraph 57 of the guide to RIDDOR, L73, makes it clear that anyone who returns to work on anything other than their normal duties counts towards the >3 day LTA and should be reported.

However, I suspect that this may not always happen.
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#5 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:19:00(UTC)
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Posted By LittleBG
Peter

The incident you descibe would in fact be notifiable by the quickest practicable means, reportable within 10 days and must be recorded.

Brian
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#6 Posted : 25 September 2003 14:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By Malcolm Hogarth
I was taught never to assume - but it is not clear in your question as to whether the injury was caused at work.

If it was caused at work then the replies so far are valid. If it was caused ouside work then the responses would obviously be different and you would be looking at a risk assessment to cover such things as their evacuation in an emergency etc
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#7 Posted : 26 September 2003 16:00:00(UTC)
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Posted By irene bezant
If someone breaks their leg at work, it is reportable, no if's, no but's.
If it was broken elsewhere, no doctor would have advised a return to work in 2 days and you need to be very clear about "fitness to return to work" checks for your insurance purposes and the welfare of the chap with the broken leg. His system will still be in shock and the injury site inflammed!
Irene

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#8 Posted : 27 September 2003 20:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By Steve Sedgwick
Irene

As an adult the man has decided that he is fit enough to do the job of answering a phone, and the company has assessed this, and decided that there are no significant risks.

Probably he is being looked after by his company, there is toilet close by, someone brings him a cuppa every 1/2 hour, fetches his lunch from the canteen, shoves a knitting needle down his pot when it itches, and he has his colleagues there to keep him company.

The alternative maybe much worse. He may live alone where he has to climb stairs to go to the toilet, the house is cold, his TV is broken, his wife probably nags him, and the kids get on his nerves.

Always have an open mind when conducting an assessment.

Steve

ps He may also have a friend in Australia that he would like to phone more often as well.



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