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B.Bruce  
#1 Posted : 21 February 2012 10:10:42(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
B.Bruce

It seems like every week someone has a question about RIDDOR......... Scenario:- Employee is at home and injures his back on the Saturday. This injury is not serious and he thinks nothing of it at the time. He comes to work on the Monday, everything is OK. However, on the Tuesday he attempts to move a plastic bulkhead when he seriously injurs his back, causing muscle spasms and resulting in him being bent over double and unable to move for 40mins. He attends hospital and is off work until the following Tuesday (6 days including weekends). The employee does not believe it happened as a result of a work activity. His back was already injured and was made worse when he stretched his arms out and began to slide the bulkhead his back went completely. Is this reportable as a RIDDOR? Afterall, his initial injury didnt occur at work or from a workplace activity? Your thoughts please? Thanks
Ron Hunter  
#2 Posted : 21 February 2012 10:16:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

A dangerous road this, where we adopt a principle that any injury sustained by any employee with a pre-existing condition is to be excluded from our reporting requirements? Err on the side of caution and report it.
DP  
#3 Posted : 21 February 2012 10:37:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
DP

Another example for us to debate and discuss. I would report this - moving the bulk head is clearly in connection with work. Not even a report in caution for me its notifiable. DP
tomorton  
#4 Posted : 21 February 2012 10:41:36(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
tomorton

I agree - reportable. if he hadn't been engaged in the said work activity, he would presumably be still fully fit for normal duties. Plus there is no way of knowing with certainty that he would not have been incapacitated by the work injury alone.
flysafe  
#5 Posted : 21 February 2012 10:57:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
flysafe

I also would report it. I had pressure put on me by a previous employer not to report a similar incident as our client measured our performance including financial penalties on the number of RIDDOR’s we had, not the correct metric as far as I am concerned. I did report and wasn’t very popular for doing so even though I clearly explained in the report the likelihood that the cause was an undeclared injury at home that then developed into a more significant injury at work. Neil
B.Bruce  
#6 Posted : 21 February 2012 11:09:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
B.Bruce

Thanks for you input. I agree - and will submit a report today. Thanks everyone for your thoughts
Artist1  
#7 Posted : 21 February 2012 13:29:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Artist1

Similar situation, but an employee falls off his bycycle before he 'clocks on', and injures his hand (Don't know whether it is broken or not. (Waiting for hospital confirmation) he then doesn't say anything to anyone until lunchtime. Accident investigation to be made, but if it is found he fell off his bike on the public highway etc. and it turns out he has broken or sprained his hand. Would iy be reportable? Ian
SP900308  
#8 Posted : 21 February 2012 13:38:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SP900308

B Bruce, How do you prove an injury happened outside of work, when the employee is doubled up in pain after doing something work related? You don't have this evidence at the time, or probably will not ever! Artist1, If someone falls off their bike away from work (as you described it), it has nothing to do with work - apart from what impact it will have on their ability to work on their return!
Juan Carlos Arias  
#9 Posted : 21 February 2012 23:00:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Juan Carlos Arias

would report too
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