HSE BRINGS ACCIDENTS TO BOOK

HSE press release: E064:03 - 16 May 2003

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is launching its new Accident Book - approved by the Information Commissioner - at the RoSPA Conference for Occupational Health and Safety. The new book will help organisations to comply with Data Protection legislation.

The new publication, the HSE Accident Book (BI510), has been revised as most existing accident books allow personal details and information to be seen by anyone reading or making an entry in the book. The previous version, produced by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and other similar books do not comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). In revising the Accident Book, DWP has passed responsibility for production to HSE.

The Information Commissioner, whose role is to enforce the DPA, has ruled that a seven-month lead-in time may be given but that businesses must change their accident book to comply with the DPA by 31 December 2003. The new design allows for accidents to be recorded, while details of individual(s) can be stored separately in a secure location.

In addition to recording incidents, the new book also contains useful information on first aid and how to manage health and safety information to help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

Kate Timms, HSE Deputy Director General, who will be speaking at the conference on building partnerships with key stakeholders, said of the new Accident Book: "The book is being launched as a tool to help organisations in terms of both health and safety and Data Protection compliance. All organisations now have seven months to meet the new Data Protection regulations, which will be enforceable from 31 December 2003."

Notes to editors

1. The RoSPA Conference begins on Monday 19 May at NEC Birmingham.

2. The HSE have an exhibition stand dedicated to the accident book, where copies of the new publication can be obtained.

Copies of The HSE Accident Book ISBN 0 7176 2603 2 price £4.75 plus VAT are available from HSE Books.

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