A guide to RIDDOR

Below is a comprehensive explanation of what UK businesses must do under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013), including legal obligations, reporting procedures, record-keeping, and penalties.

1. What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR is a UK law requiring employers, the self-employed, and those in control of work premises to report and record serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and near-misses ("dangerous occurrences").

Key principles:

- Ensures workplace risks are monitored and investigated.

- Helps the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and local authorities identify hazards.

- Applies to all industries, including construction, healthcare, and office-based work.

2. What Must Be Reported?

(A) Reportable Injuries

- Fatalities (any work-related death) → Report immediately

- Specified injuries (serious but non-fatal) → Within 10 days

- Fractures (excluding fingers, thumbs, or toes)

- Amputations

- Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)

- Crush injuries leading to internal organ damage

- Serious burns (covering >10% of the body or damaging eyes/respiratory system)

- Scalping (separation of skin from the head)

- Unconsciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia

- Injuries requiring resuscitation or hospital admittance for >24hrs

-Injuries to non-workers (e.g., public hospitalised due to work activities)

-7-day injuries (see below)

(B) Occupational Diseases (When diagnosed)

- Carpal tunnel syndrome (from repetitive work)

- Occupational asthma (from exposure to substances like flour, isocyanates)

- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)

- Asbestosis, mesothelioma, or silicosis

- Tendonitis or other musculoskeletal disorders

(C) Dangerous Occurrences (Near-Misses)

These are incidents with high potential for harm, even if no one was injured.

Examples:

- Structural collapses (scaffolding, cranes)

- Explosions or fires causing work stoppage

- Release of hazardous substances (chemical leaks, radiation exposure)

- Equipment failures (malfunctioning machinery, electrical incidents)

- Gas incidents (leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning)

(D) Gas-Related Incidents

- If a registered gas engineer finds a dangerous gas appliance, they must report it to the Gas Safe Register.

(E) Seven Day Injuries

Under RIDDOR 2013, businesses must report 7-day injuries – a specific category of work-related injuries that result in an employee being unable to perform their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days (excluding the day of the accident but including weekends and rest days).

Key Rules for Reporting 7-Day Injuries

1. Definition:

- The injury must be work-related (occurred due to work activities).

- The worker must be incapacitated for >7 days (not just minor cuts or bruises).

2. Reporting Deadline:

- Must be reported within 15 days of the incident.

3. How to Report:

- Online via the [HSE RIDDOR form (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm).

- No phone reporting for 7-day injuries (only for fatalities/specified injuries).

4. What Counts as Incapacitation?

- Unable to do normal job duties (not just light duties). Note returning to light duties does not stop the clock on the RIDDOR 7-days

- Includes hospitalisation beyond 24 hours (but these are reported separately under "specified injuries").

5. What Doesn’t Count?

- Injuries where the worker returns within 7 days or less.

- Pre-existing conditions worsened by work (unless diagnosed as an occupational disease).

Steps for Employers

✔ Day 1-7:

- Record the injury in your accident book BI 510).

- Monitor the worker’s recovery.

✔ After 7 Days:

- If the worker is still unfitn, submit a RIDDOR report within 15 days.

✔ Keep Records for at least 3 years (in case of HSE inspections).

Examples of 7-Day Reportable Injuries

-A warehouse worker strains their back lifting boxes and is off for 10 days

- A chef suffers a deep cut requiring stitches and misses 8 days.

- A construction worker sprains an ankle and can’t work for 2 weeks.

Difference Between 7-Day and Specified Injuries

7-Day Injury - incapacity over seven days,

report within 15 days,

no hospitalisation required

Specified Injury (RIDDOR)

- serious harm (e.g. fractures, amputations)

report within 10 days

often (not always) requires hospital care

What Happens If You Don’t Report?

- Fines (unlimited under the Health and Safety at Work Act).

- HSE investigation if discovered later.

- Increased insurance premiums (poor safety records raise costs).

How to Report Under RIDDOR

Step 1: Determine if the Incident is Reportable

- Check if it fits the RIDDOR criteria (see above).

- If unsure, the HSE website has a flow chart to help.

Step 2: Submit a Report

- Online: Fastest method via [HSE’s RIDDOR reporting form] (https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm).

- Phone: Only for fatalities and major incidents (0345 300 9923).

- For gas incidents: Report to the Gas Safe Register (0800 408 5500).

Step 3: Record the Incident

- Keep an accident book (BI 510) or digital records.

- Maintain details for at least 3 years (longer for diseases).

3. Reporting Deadlines

Death. Immediate (phone)

Specified injury, dangerous occurrence. Within 10 days

Occupational disease. When diagnosed.

7-day injury. Within 15 days.

4. Who is Responsible?

Employers (all businesses with employees)

Self-employed workers (if their work causes injury/disease)

People in control of premises (e.g., site managers, landlords)

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fines: Unlimited (based on severity)

Prosecution: If negligence is proven

Reputational damage: HSE publishes enforcement notices

For further information on complying with the RIDDOR Regulations why not check out our short online course?

Partly written using AI.