An all new Accident book has been created so that individual cases can be reported independent of each other and that records can be separated.
The traditional design of accident book allows other people to view personal details that have been entered from previous accidents. This is in clear breach of The Data Protection Act, whose primary concern is to protect personal information, ensuring it is not misused in any way.
The purpose of an accident book is to record information surrounding the occurrence of accidents and about the consequences to the individuals concerned. This is clearly personal information and therefore needs to be protected.
This book allows details of accidents and affected individuals to be recorded but each report can be easily detached for filing and storage in a separate and secure location.
Employer's Responsibility — Accident Books
The accident report book complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 that says personal details entered in accident books must now be kept confidential.The books are designed to facilitate removal and storage of personal information to ensure confidentiality. Earlier editions of this book that may not have this facility.
All businesses of any size need to be able to report accidents and an accident book is therefore one of the best ways to contribute to this requirement. Employers must keep a record of all injuries that happen on your premises, or to employees working elsewhere on their behalf.
An up to date accident book must be kept in an easily accessible place. However all slips containing personal information should be detached and kept in safe storage (e.g. in a lockable filing cabinet). The Accident Book and records must be stored in a safe place for 3 years.
Employer's Responsibility - RIDDOR reporting
As well as keeping records in the accident book, the law says you must notify and report some injuries and deaths arising from accidents at work under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). This reporting must be done within specific times.
Employee's Responsibility
When you are injured at work, the law says you have to tell your employer as soon as you can. You can do this by writing about your accident in this book yourself or asking someone else to do so on your behalf.
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