Posted By John Mackessack Here's an interesting scenario that an acquaintance has put to me: An employee has complained of a work-related respiratory disorder. There are only a handful of potential suspect substances in the workplace, all of which are controlled by rigorous monitoring / sampling regimes. Airborne contaminants being extremely low. He has undergone regular health surveillance as well as in-depth studies - his alleged ailment investigated by some of the best medical facilities and occupational hygiene brains in the business. No expense has been spared in this process. In addition, he has long since been removed from the suspect area but his symptoms persist. Absolutely NO link can be established between his problem and his workplace. His ailment has not been reproduced under any medical test. The employee's 'employment viability' is now minimal. There is nowhere else he can work (due to other physical disorders) and the organisation is already lean. It's not looking good for him. During the entire process, the employee has often been less than cooperative and at times obstructive to the process of identifying his problem. It has been mooted by some that the employee is exaggerating/inventing his ailment and has an alterior motive. While signed off sick again, he decides to report his 'disease' under RIDDOR, even though there is no medical diagnosis or evidence. The employer receives a copy of the F2508 report from the Incident Control Centre and recognises that it is wholly inaccurate. What happens next? a) Is there a route of reporting back to the HSE for the employer to refute or comment on the report? b) Is there a requirement for confirmation from an approved medical practitioner before it can stand on the HSE's statistics? C) Is this simply added to the statistics anyway and lands on the local inspector's desk a few days later? Any comments are welcomed on the above...I have my own opinions, but I am weary and cynical! John

Posted By Arran Linton - Smith As this ill health has been reported via RIDDOR, the HSE through EMAS may investigate this. You no doubt would be able to greatly help them with their enquiries, however if they don’t, I am sure that it would just become a statistic. In view of fact that the volume of reportable diseases are greatly under reported, I am sure that the HSE will not be too concerned over the odd erroneous occupational ill health report.

Posted By Ron Hunter Falsely reporting under RIDDOR (masquerading as the employer?) does not constitute co-operating with the employer! Interest would be what prescribed industrial disease has been reported - may constitute further falsehood?