I've now looked up the RIDDOR provisions.

Yes, there is a three-day-off-work-due-to-injury provision (RIDDOR
regulation 3(2)) but I remain sceptical as to whether an employer would
necessarily want to agree that an RSI-type injury was "work-related". It's
not quite as glaringly obvious (to an employer) as having a filing cabinet
fall on your foot.

However, under RIDDOR regulation 5, there is a more objective test for the
reporting of "diseases" rather than "injuries": if a doctor diagnoses that
you have one of the diseases listed in the left hand column of Schedule 3,
and your work involves the corresponding activity in the right hand column,
then this is notifiable to the HSE. There is no need to prove that the work
has _caused_ the disease, just that you have the disease and also do the
work.

Some of the diseases listed are RSI-type injuries. However, two caveats are
(i) you need a written statement from the doctor confirming the diagnosis
(not sure whether a sicknote signing you off work would fulfill this
condition) and (ii) even if you have the condition, and even if you're
convinced it's work related, if you're not carrying out the appropriate
activity then the rule doesn't apply. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome is
only notifiable if your work involves the use of hand-held vibrating tools.

In all cases, the best thing may be to speak to the person responsible for
health & safety at your place of employment. You'd only really need to look
at the letter of the law if your employer started playing silly beggars and
trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities. If that does happen, seek
professional legal advice rather than relying on this posting!

A note of my charges for this advice will follow shortly ;-)

John




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