With effect from 6 April 2012, the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened).

Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.

Employers must still keep a record of all over three day injures if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough (it should be noted that good practice suggests that you should keep a record of all accidents and incidents no matter what the injury).

The deadline by which the over seven day injury must be reported will increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.

New guidance that explains the change will be available to download from the HSE website.