Hi, I have a couple of employees who have recently came to their manager stating they had an accident numerous weeks ago (one claims approx 3 months ago) but they never reported it to anyone. They were off work for a number of days and during return to work interviews then claim that the absence was due to an accident they had. We have complete investigation process on the alleged incidents to identify if there was any hazardous conditions that were not being controlled and we can see some issues present that need improved. This is being dealt with now as part of remedial action plans. However as there was no report at the time of the alleged accidents i'm cautious about agreeing to add them to our accident database and classify them as an accident. Also feel uncomfortable submitting a RIDDOR report for an employee who's time of due to injury occurred 3 months after the stated incident. I dont see how i can put this in based on no evidence and we couldnt investigate after the alleged incidnet occcured. We train all employees in accident reporting through induction sessions and handbook and after these reports have completed a factory brief/toolbox on accident reporting. Just wondering if anyone had gone through this before and what approach was taken? thanks

Have discussed this with a number of enforcement officers over the years and their advice has always been the same. Report the incident as soon as you are made aware, but make a note in the report of why its so late. They understand that there can be good reasons why a report is late such as a staff member not reporting it at the time. Its much easier to explain why the report was late than to wait for the inspector to come knocking on your door asking why there was no report after the injured person has complained!