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David Manson  
#1 Posted : 22 January 2019 08:49:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

Hello everyone,

A member of staff has just been diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment in her elbows and is going to have surgery in a bout a month - this is expected to resolve the problem.

The doctor says that it is p[robably work related and my question is whether or not this is RIDOR reportable. It doesn't seem to be covered by any of the occupational disease categories but common sense says to me that it should be.

Has anyone else come accross this?

Many thanks

David

Elfin Davy 09  
#2 Posted : 22 January 2019 09:19:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Elfin Davy 09

Hi - from my own experiences of dealing with this sort of thing, in virtually all situations where a patient says to a GP "could this have been caused by my work?" the answer these days tends to be either "possibly" or "probably" when there is actually very little to no evidence to prove that it was. 

In other words, if a patient presents to a GP with sore wrists (or in this case elbows) and suggests that they use their arms regularly at work, the GP is likely to suggest that work MAY be the cause if asked.  The patient then usually turns "may be" into a "definitely is" sadly.

Anyway, the diagnosis (as provided by the GP) isn't a reportable Occupational Disease on the HSE's official list, so it's not RIDDOR reportable in my opinion.

I'm assuming however that the "work related" diagnosis was made by a GP rather than by an Occupational Health specialist (in possession of all the facts) ?

thanks 1 user thanked Elfin Davy 09 for this useful post.
David Manson on 22/01/2019(UTC)
David Manson  
#3 Posted : 22 January 2019 09:26:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David Manson

Thanks very much - that is useful. It was the GP who said that it is "probably work related". I have recomemnded that an occupational health specialist is brought in to help and in the meantime I am satusfied that it is not RIDDOR reportable.

Thanks again 

David

Lee45403  
#4 Posted : 22 January 2019 13:03:19(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Lee45403

Hi David,

What work is the IP carrying out? Is it repetitive & subject to an ART? Do you have a copy of HSG60 Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace? And whilst it isn't an 'occupational disease' as defined by RIDDOR have a look at the list of  upper limb disorders listed in HSG60. Will it become an over 7 day injury whilst she is under going her treatment? Gemma

Elfin Davy 09  
#5 Posted : 22 January 2019 14:13:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Elfin Davy 09

Lee45403

Not sure why you've mentioned an "over 7 day injury" because this has no relevance in this case.  Over 7 day RIDDOR reports only apply to accidents, and only then when work related.

In this case (so far as I can tell from the OP anyway), the person concerned hasn't had an accident (work related or otherwise).  

Elfin Davy 09  
#6 Posted : 22 January 2019 14:21:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Elfin Davy 09

...it should also be noted that HSG60 dates back to 2002 (with the last reprint in 2010), whereas the RIDDOR Regulations (which changed the lists of industrial diseases / work-related illnesses) were last amended in 2013, meaning it's the most up to date guidance.

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