The HSE has reviewed its guidance on RIDDOR reporting and COVID-19. It is intended for the person reporting, usually the employer (known as the 'responsible person').
The guidance states that there is no requirement under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) to report incidents of disease or deaths of members of the public, patients, care home residents or service users from COVID-19.
The reporting requirements relating to cases of, or deaths from, COVID-19 under RIDDOR apply only to occupational exposure, that is, as a result of a person's work.
When cases must be reported, the guidance sets out information about what to report, noting that a report under RIDDOR should only be made when one of the following circumstances applies:
An accident or incident at work has, or could have, led to the release or escape of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
A person at work (a worker) has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 attributed to an occupational exposure to Coronavirus. This must be reported as a case of disease.
A worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to Coronavirus. This must be reported as a work-related death due to exposure to a biological agent.
The guidance is available in full here.
HSE April 2021
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