I have always thought that an injury sustained during sports (at school) was recorded as a sports injury and not an accident. I am now informed by a school nurse that if a pupil sustains an injury during a coaching session (and not an actual match) then this constitutes an accident. Is the nurse right? Much obliged for any definitive answers. Rich

Rich, To try & clarify the situation, all accidents in schools should be recorded, including sporting ones - how this is done is up to the school as there is no prescriptive format, but I am aware that many use the BI510 Accident Book. With regards to RIDDOR, it is only reportable if the student is taken directly to hospital AND it arises out of a "work activity" (RIDDOR was never written with schools in mind!), e.g. there was some form of defect in the equipment provided by the school; a pothole in the playground or a lack of supervision, etc. Zyggy

For accidents, the previous advice is sound - any accident should be recorded, or how else can any trends be detected? But most only need first aid/accident book type records! The confusion probably has arisen because the HSE changed its RIDDOR guidance several years ago. For many years they had said that there was no need to report injuries from sport; then they changed their position with the issue of EDIS1 in 2005 so that we now have to report as below. There is no difference between injuries sustained in coaching sessions and those in a match, since they are both school : What about sports activities? Accidents and incidents that happen in relation to curriculum sports activities and result in pupils being killed or taken to hospital for treatment are reportable. Playground accidents Playground accidents due to collisions, slips, trips and falls are not normally reportable unless they happen out of work or in connection with work, eg because of: ● the condition of the premises or equipment; ● inadequate supervision.