The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is launching its new Accident Book – approved by the Information Commissioner. 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.

In English, this means that all Accident Report Books have to be changed by 31st December 2003 but the Information Commissionaire MAY not start prosecuting for Data Protection infringement until June 2004.

Get your books changed now or take measures to ensure that those filling the accident book out cannot see the names and addresses of others.
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