The Health and Safety Executive has just confirmed that employers must report under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (Riddor) certain incidents of coronavirus in the workplace.There are two circumstances in which employers must make a report which are:
- Where an unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
- A worker has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work. This must be reported as a case of disease.
Reporting is only necessary in limited circumstances and full details can be found on HSE website https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/riddor-reporting-coronavirus.htm
Dangerous Occurrences
In relation to COVID-19 a Dangerous Occurrence may be the inadvertent release of the virus in a laboratory or similar setting. This might be where an employee has accidentally broken a glass vial containing the virus which has led to either possible or actual exposure.
Diseases
Where someone is exposed to the virus because of their work and is diagnosed with COVID-19, you must report this to the Health and Safety Executive. An example might be a healthcare professional diagnosed with COVID-19 after treating patients. Unlike the Dangerous Occurrences example, this category of exposure is potentially far wider and could easily include care homes and similar settings. A failure to comply can lead to criminal liability and fines. Do check your reporting requirements carefully.
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