Posted By Mark Talbot There are certain exemptions from the act see: http://www.informationco...ntual.aspx?pg=SR&cID=702 ...but... I think such action as naming in a newsletter is stretching "securing" a bit. There are also patient confidentiality issues which I think are mainly covered by civil law precedent.

Posted By Cr8r Steve I had this exact thing at a previous employer. I mentioned it in the first management meeting I was present at and they looked at me like I was mad. My thoughts - if it was ok to tell everyone who did what, where and to which bit of their body, why have we got the "new" accident books where this info is torn out? Anyway, this sort of "naming and shaming" only achieves a negative response and will encourage non reporting of accidents. Why not ask the MD what the difference is between naming and not naming - surely it is more positive not to name?

Posted By Stephen Clark Steve, yes i can confirm that it would be a breach. You must first get the employees consent before posting the details you describe. Unless, it is written into the employment contract that they have already signed. Simply, any information that could identify a living person cannot be disclosed without prior consent. Also, all such information, wherever stored in your organisation, e.g. on your pc/laptop must be declared on your central register so that if a request for all information held is made by an employee, you can retrieve it. PS, depending upon your business status, your company may not need to be registered under the DPA. If for example you worked for a transport company who delivered to peoples homes and therefore you hold information about them e.g. name and address, you would need to be registered. Good luck Steve

Posted By Diane Thomason I agree with Jim, and would suggest that this MD needs some training in H&S. He clearly doesn't understand that the company's H&S performance will not be improved by a "blame culture" - and public blaming has to be worst of all.

Posted By John Murgatroyd http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/

Posted By Nigel Singleton BSc Not sure if anyone noticed but local councils are allowed to name and shame litter louts using a photo in the local paper, I think the purpose of the Data Protection Act is not designed to stop you publishing accident records, and if name and shame helps to improve accident figures is that not for the good of the many as required by HASAWA.

Posted By Heather Collins It's certainly not for the good of the few - or the one. Seriously I would not publish the name - whatever happened to not having a blame culture where accidents are concerned? By all means let's learn from past mistakes but let's not blame the employees or they WILL stop reporting accidents. Heather