Accident books "must comply"

The Health AND Safety People consultancy has sent out a stark warning to security, facilities and Health and Safety managers that, as from now, all employer accident report books must keep personal details confidential in order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Founded in 1992, The Health and Safety People is a fast-growing consultancy offering a comprehensive range of Health and Safety services, including site visits, company audits, training advisory services, accident investigation, emergency planning and Health and Safety documentation. The company boasts over 500 clients nationwide.

To help end users, the Bedfordshire-based concern has published an Accident Report Book that meets the new legislative requirements. The book is designed to facilitate the removal and storage of personal information by means of tear-off strips, thus ensuring confidentiality. It's deliberately laid out for the simple, stage-by-stage recording of accidents to people at work and the nature of their injuries.

Speaking about the initiative, John Thoday – managing director of The Health and Safety People – told SMT: "Anyone using an accident report book without the facility to remove and store personal information isn't meeting the latest legal requirements and could be open to prosecution. From now on, security and facilities managers responsible for Health and Safety in the workplace must store their old books away and use the new variety."

In addition, Thoday pointed out that accident books must always be kept in an accessible place, with a member of staff nominated to assume responsibility for the safe keeping of all accident records.

End users who would like further information on this subject should contact The Health and Safety People at 16A Market Square, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1HU. Alternatively call 01767 682800, or visit the company's web site, which can be found at: www.healthandsafetypeople.com

Recently outlining the Government's new strategy on Health and Safety issues, work minister Des Browne told SMT: "Our record in reducing accidents is impressive. Now we need to achieve a similarly respectable reduction in ill-health arising from work. As well as untold suffering, poor management of risks costs the economy dearly. We feel our new strategy is the way ahead."

Under the Government's plans, writes Keith Nuthall, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities will target resources on the areas of greatest need and be less active where risks are well managed. "In those areas, there will be greater emphasis on advice and support," added the minister.

In line with this approach, a spokeswoman for the Department of Employment said there was no general Health and Safety legislation passing through Parliament at the moment. Britain's record was "already commendable," she said, with fatal accidents down by over two-thirds since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act in 1974.

However, the spokeswoman admitted more still needed to be done, with 40 million working days lost to occupational injury and ill-health in Britain during 2001-2002 alone.