HSE receives over 4,142 workplace concerns relating to coronavirus

HSE last month released guidance on how to report exposure to coronavirus or a diagnosis of Covid-19 in the workplace under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).

HSE says RIDDOR reports have been forthcoming, but a spokesperson told Safety Management it's been difficult: “There are challenges in verifying the RIDDOR reports we’re receiving in the context of Covid-19.

"As such we are unable to share these figures at the moment, but aim to do so as soon as possible. We want to accurately set out the numbers of RIDDORS that directly relate to Covid-19 and we are working hard to do so.”

The spokesperson says that between 9 March and 26 April 2020, HSE has received more than 4,142 workplace concerns relating to coronavirus in some form. “We are listening to these concerns and working through these with a range of actions. Further updates on these outcomes, and our pertinent RIDDOR data, will be made available as soon as possible,” they confirm.

The number of concerns has also been shared by HSE, and are as follows:

Workplace concerns relating to coronavirus:

 w/c 09/03     69

 w/c 16/03     146

 w/c 23/03     706

 w/c 30/03     1298

 w/c 06/04     711

 w/c 13/04     666

 w/c 20/04   546

The sectors the complaints have been received in are broken down as follows:

In a message for International Worker’s Memorial Day on 28 April, HSE chief executive, Sarah Albon thanked the key workers who are risking their own health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak: “The extra levels of risk they’re now exposed to at work are in some cases unavoidable but let me be clear that all risk must be managed appropriately.”

She continued: “I’m proud of how hard HSE is working to make sure employers put sensible and pragmatic approaches in place, and keeping our guidance, based on science and evidence, updated. These efforts are a vital part of keeping essential services going. So to my colleagues, and all those duty holders adapting to the current circumstances, thank you.”

RIDDOR reporting of Covid-19 here