HSE introduces new arrangements for online reporting of injuries and incidents

Businesses will still be able to notify fatal and major incidents and injuries by phone following changes to reporting arrangements, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed today.

From 12 September 2011, all other reportable work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system, with a suite of seven forms available on HSE's website to make the statutory reporting process quick and easy.

Said Trevor Carlile, HSE's Director of Strategy:

"More than half of reportable injuries are already notified to HSE through the website and this proportion has been increasing steadily over the past seven years. Taking advantage of the growing use of the internet allows HSE to be more efficient in the way it works. We do recognise, however, that people reporting a traumatic event still need that personal interaction so the notification of fatal and major incidents and injuries will still take place by phone."

In a move to improve efficiency further and deliver value for taxpayers, HSE's Infoline telephone service, which currently provides a basic information service to callers, will end on 30 September 2011.

Businesses and members of the public seeking information and official guidance on health and safety can use HSE's website - a huge knowledge bank where people can access and download information free of charge and use interactive web tools.

The HSE website features information on the most frequent health and safety enquiries such as those on RIDDOR reporting, First Aid and the health and safety responsibilities of new businesses. It currently receives 26 million visits every year and is regularly updated and improved to help businesses and members of the public quickly access the information they need.

HSE's website:

    is already overwhelmingly the most popular option for accessing health and safety information, with 100 times more visitors than Infoline has callers
    is rated as 'very good' or 'good' by 93% of users
    has recently been enhanced with a suite of new resources for businesses including:
        interactive risk assessment tools for low-risk organisations
        Health and Safety Made Simple - straightforward step-by-step guidance on what small and low risk businesses need to do to achieve a basic level of health and safety compliance
        expanded Frequently Asked Questions to answer common queries.

HSE continues to provide information and guidance to employers and workers in a range of other ways: through direct work with organisations and trade associations, face-to-face at workshops and safety training days and via books and e-bulletins. A comprehensive suite of health and safety advice is also available via the Government's website for businesses "Businesslink.gov", and DirectGov.