Rank: Forum user 
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Employee bends over and sneezes at workplace (not a particularly dusty environment) causing injury to back. Over three days absence with pain killers / anti-inflammatory tablets advised by his Doctor. "Work related Accident or injury"? I know, just call RIDDOR hotline??? (Tried a site search but keep getting database error)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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No, as there is no workplace link to his sneezing (i.e. dust).
Being in the workplace does not mean it's work related (unless your OSHA and we don't want RIDDOR going down that route!)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Were there any substances being used / in the area that may have caused the sneeze ? Does the IP feel it is work related ? If so can they explain why?
Just some thoughts, as we asked everyone who had time off work for whatever reason, if they felt it was work related (on the return to work form). That way it was harder for them to change their minds later.
My past experience of the hotline was they would tell you to report it anyway and it would be decided later by HSE. Of course you never knew the final outcome of this. Stopped asking their opinion in the end and just made my own mind up.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The pain killers etc are immaterial, the key issue is whether it has 'arisen out of or be connected to the work activity’, if it hasn't then it wouldn't be reportable.
Other than if there are any specific work related factors, I suggest that people, wait a mo, aaaatishoooooooooooooo, sneeze for all sorts of 'non work related reasons' and I suggest unless you have good cause to think otherwise, not work related and not reportable
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Rank: Forum user
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If sneezing and injury arising from same both clearly not work-related, not reportable under RIDDOR.
I confess to being less sure whether it remains subject to recording requirements under Social Security legislation.
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Rank: Forum user
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tomorton wrote:If sneezing and injury arising from same both clearly not work-related, not reportable under RIDDOR.
I confess to being less sure whether it remains subject to recording requirements under Social Security legislation. It would probably meet my definition of an accident (the back strain, not the sneeze) so I would put it into the accident books - but not RIDDOR regardless of time off ... be different if you were working in a snuff factory though ;-) Recording the incident properly in the book stops the confusion if the IP were to come back in two years time saying "remember when I hurt my back ..."
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Rank: Forum user
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Many thanks for contributions, recorded but not reported (particularly like the "Snuff factory" comment).
Cheers
Ian
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Rank: Super forum user
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Muiryden wrote: I know, just call RIDDOR hotline???
I believe the Hotline was disbanded a couple of weeks ago.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You need to keep it as a record in your accident book but clearly state it was not a work related accident.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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With regard to the hotline - this was a recent e-mail that I received from the HSE: "Yes, the telephone number will remain the same (0845 300 99 23 ), however, I must stress that this service is only for fatal accidents and major injuries to workers and then the service is aimed at duty holders who do not readily have access to the internet which is not the case for your organisation. Reports of fatal accidents and major injuries can be reported on-line as this fulfils the duty to notify the enforcing authority by the quickest practicable means. You may have heard that HSE has agreed to continue to accept reports via e-mail except for fatal accidents, although there will be a new e-mail address for this hseriddor@hse.gsi.gov.uk. Reports of fatal accidents should not be just e-mailed, they should be either reported on-line or should be telephoned. This is so that they can be identified as quickly as possible and passed to the appropriate enforcing authority."
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