The information contained in this bulletin is based on sources that we believe are reliable and should be understood as general risk management and insurance information only. It is not intended to be taken as advice with respect to any specific or individual situation and cannot be relied upon as such. If you wish to discuss your specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact your usual Towergate Insurance Brokers advisor.

On 7 April RIDDOR, (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013), offered new advice of the reporting of COVID-19. This follows a joint statement from the HSE, CBI and TUC saying that businesses staying open during the coronavirus must guarantee safe working conditions including social distancing. Businesses must only make a report under RIDDOR when:

• 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.
• a worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus.

RIDDOR stipulates that if something happens at work which results in, or could result in the release or escape of coronavirus, this should be reported as a dangerous occurrence.

In the case of fatalities, if someone dies as a result of a work-related exposure to coronavirus and this is confirmed as the likely cause of death by a medical practitioner, then the business must report this within 10 days of the death.

NOTE:
It is recommended and best practice that you notify your usual Towergate Insurance Brokers advisor following the reporting of any RIDDOR incident.

In 2016 new sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences resulted in fines imposed on companies and their senior managers. See our Update on Management Liability Portfolio insurance. 

Find out more about what you must report.*  

Make a report online:
Report a dangerous occurrence
Report a case of disease: exposure to a biological agent

*Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/coronavirus/index.htm


For more information contact your local Towergate Adviser.