First Aide record retention

[Roberto154]

hi everyone

The records are kept for a minimum of 3 years by the employer - under what legislation/legal requirement does this fall under?
Is it just the H&S at Work act 1974


thanks

[Alexis]

Hi Roberto.

Well.............Simple answer is, it depends upon which particular first aid records for which particular injury/accident/incident.

All the first aids come under the HSWA Umbrella, however, if it were a COSHH record of an incident/accident etc., then it would be, as far as I am aware, up to 50 years in case the injury causes further difficulties in later years and possible civil claims arise.

RIDDOR incidents should be kept for 5 or 6 years for the same reasons as outlined above.

Accident records should be kept for up to 3 years, again, as far as I am aware and that is only a guidance by the HSE.

If you look at first aid as being another "umbrella" (like HSWA is to everything H&S in the workplace), it too can be broken down into my example above. Appropriate Legislation will then apply as to how long each type of record retention applies.

Hope that makes sense.

Some information in this link Roberto. https://app.croneri.co.uk/topics/record ... ng/indepth

[Roberto154]

Non COSHH related incidents, just everyday low risk environment office accidents, slips trips etc...

Many thanks

[Alexis]

It would be under The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 within HSWA.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l74.htm

[Jonah06]

The legislative requirements for employers maintaing accident records for 3 years was originally made under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979.

However, these regulations were ammended in 1987 and the Regulations relating to 3 year record retention was removed... In fact, the majority of the original 79 regulations were revoked to make way for the 87 Regs.

Therefore, there are no official legislative requirements to maintain 3 year records for non RIDDOR reportable injuries and ill-health these days. But these RIDDOR requirements for 3 year retention are specified under regulation 12.

Most insurance companies require records to be maintained for a minimum of 3 years in order to assist with civil liability cases too.

Hope this helps

[Penfold]

Don't forget if the record is for someone under 18 they can make a claim from their 18th birthday plus 3 years so you need to keep those records for longer

[Roberto154]

Great, thank you very much for your help and advice.

Kind regards