This relates to a question asked of me by a 3rd party in an unofficial capacity, I have been mulling over and would appreciate any thoughts.

The Injured Party is an apprentice on a residential training scheme who slipped getting out of the shower. The IP is on a programme which involves being trained to assist young people in sporting/outdoor activities, the injury to his leg is such that they have been unable to continue with that element of the course for over a month. As a result the IP has been moved onto another programme doing "administration duties".

My understanding is that the administration is another module that they would normally complete at a later stage.

The question asked was should this have been reported under RIDDOR as it occurred in the accomodation provided as part of the programme and the IP's regular work was affected.

My initial thought was yes as this was work related in so far as the accomodation is part of the job and they cannot complete their normal duties. On reflection I am not so sure of the second part of this argument as it could be that the whole programme is the work and therefore this has simply been a reshuffle of the tasks.

Any thoughts on this appreciated

Nic

An an enforcement officer, I would have to agree with Safety Smurf and say non-reportable. If a RIDDOR report for this arrived on my desk, I would wonder why it had been reported and would take no action in relation to it.

My reasons for this are that (a) the person was not at work when they had the accident and (b) they haven't been prevented from carrying out their normal duties, as you say that they have had their training swapped around to suit.

Hope that helps!

I'm surprised at Twinklemel's second part answer. Not at work is clear. Injury prevents normal duties, requiring "light work" thus I would have thought that IF this had been at work, the inability to do the normal job makes it reportable.

Oh how I wish RIDDOR would disappear in total and be replaced with simple law.

Sorry Safety Smurf but I think it was part of his normal duties, it was just going to be done further down the line.
I would agree if he was sat stuffing envelopes or some other made up job.

I am left wondering (and it isn't entirely clear from the post) whether at the time of the injury he would have been classed as 'a person not at work' and whether he was taken directly from the scene of the incident, to hospital for treatment? IF the answer to both is/was 'yes', then wouldn't this be reportable?

Is it just me or did a HSE Enforcement Officer just advise everyone that it was NOT reportable, but in the spirit of debate lets keep on going! Simple rule, if you're not sure just report it.

Nice to know that I am not the only one going around in mental circles with this.

I spoke with the person who asked the question yesterday and the IP did not go to hospital immediately but was treated by the site medic and taken to drop in centre. They were showering because they were grubby and pretty minging as a result of working with the children.

I have come to the conclusion that this is not reportable so ia m broadly in line with the thoughtsexpressed by Twinklemel and safety smurf.

But in a way I am reassured that there are seemingly simple situations that give us something to think about, thanks for the input.

Nic