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lisar  
#1 Posted : 27 October 2015 15:49:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lisar

Hello, RIDDOR specifies that bone fractures are reportable when confirmed by a doctor. Do I still have to report if no confirmation in writing has been given from the doctor?
graemecollard  
#2 Posted : 27 October 2015 15:57:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
graemecollard

If the bone is fractured (other than in the fingers and toes) you need to report it. If you're not sure that it's fractured, you need to get a doctor to confirm then make your report on the basis of that. You can't just decide not report a fracture on the basis that its not been specifically diagnosed by a doctor but does exist.
lisar  
#3 Posted : 27 October 2015 16:01:25(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lisar

Its a broken nose and RIDDOR does specify it must be diagnosed on the HSE website. My query is can it be verbal or does it have to be in writing as RIDDOR doesn't make it clear http://www.hse.gov.uk/ri...r/specified-injuries.htm
kenty  
#4 Posted : 27 October 2015 16:08:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
kenty

From the HSE guidance. Self-diagnosed ‘suspected fractures’ are not reportable.
lisar  
#5 Posted : 27 October 2015 16:10:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lisar

He says he went to the hospital but hasn't provided written proof. Do we just take his word for it?
Jimothy999  
#6 Posted : 27 October 2015 16:18:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jimothy999

That's up to you at the end of the day. However there is from the same page linked by lisar: What to do when the extent of an injury is unclear: In some cases, employers and self-employed workers may not be in a position to know the full extent of an injury, eg when a prognosis has not yet been established in relation to an eye injury, or when efforts are being made to treat an injured limb which may ultimately require surgical amputation. In such situations, there is no requirement to make precautionary reports of specified injuries. It is likely that the accident will in any case require reporting due to the injured person being incapacitated for more than seven days. The enforcing authority should be notified or updated as soon as a specified injury has been confirmed.
leadbelly  
#7 Posted : 27 October 2015 16:35:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
leadbelly

The nasal septum is cartilage so, if that has been displaced (broken), it is surely not reportable (unless the IP is away from normal duties for more than seven days). LB
IanDakin  
#8 Posted : 28 October 2015 13:22:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
IanDakin

Hi Lisa This happens often, and if they did not get any paperwork from the hospital then presumably they will be off work for more than a week so will have to get a sick note from their GP. This will then confirm or not the "fracture". At this point if it is a fracture you should report. You should be seeking to report as soon as you can after it becomes reportable - and until the fracture is confirmed or 8 days have elapsed it is not reportable. Ian
chris42  
#9 Posted : 28 October 2015 14:24:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

I looked into this some time ago and the short answer is NO Longer answer from http://www.google.co.uk/...Wiwao1YO6yIjXhkZG5uqrfyA These checks focused on reports covering kinds of injury that were known from past experience and from an examination of the early ICC data to be prone to mis-classification i.e. types of injuries that were being classified as major when they really failed to meet the criteria for such classification. For example, there was a tendency to mis-classify injuries that resulted in a broken nose as a major injury on the incorrect assumption that such injuries constituted a fracture of a bone. Similarly, injuries that resulted in the loss of tips of fingers were being wrongly classified as major on the incorrect assumption that such injuries constituted amputation. The FOD support team would identify candidates for such mis-classifications by downloading sub-sets of reports from the ICC database where the nature of the injury was fracture or amputation but where the notifier comments included the keywords finger/thumb/nose/carpel/tip/digit. Chris
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