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What does RIDDOR stand for? RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. This UK health and safety legislation requires employers to report specific workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), helping to create safer working environments across Britain.
Understanding RIDDOR is about protecting your workforce and contributing to national safety data that saves lives. Whether you're a business owner, safety manager or employee, this guide will explain everything you need to know about RIDDOR reporting requirements.
What Is RIDDOR and Why Does It Matter?
RIDDOR is UK legislation that creates a legal framework for reporting work-related accidents, injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences. The current regulations, known as RIDDOR 2013, came into force on 1 October 2013, replacing the previous RIDDOR 1995 regulations.
The primary purposes of RIDDOR include:
Data Collection: Providing statistical information about workplace accidents and ill health across the UK
Risk Identification: Helping authorities identify where and how workplace risks arise
Investigation: Enabling HSE and local authorities to investigate serious incidents
Prevention: Focusing resources on areas where they're most needed to prevent future incidents
The regulations apply to all employers, self-employed individuals and those in control of work premises across every industry sector in the UK.
Who Must Report Under RIDDOR?
The "responsible person" under RIDDOR regulations includes:
Employers of any size across all sectors
Self-employed individuals carrying out work activities
Those in control of premises where work activities take place
Main contractors on construction projects
It's important to note that only the responsible person should submit RIDDOR reports, multiple reports for the same incident can cause confusion and administrative burden.
What Must Be Reported Under RIDDOR?
RIDDOR requires reporting of four main categories of workplace incidents:
1. Fatal Accidents
All work-related deaths must be reported immediately, regardless of how long after the accident the death occurs.
2. Specified Injuries
The following serious injuries must be reported when they result from a work-related accident:
Any fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes
Amputations
Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
Crush injuries to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
Serious burns covering more than 10% of the body or causing significant damage to vital areas
Scalping requiring hospital treatment
Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space requiring resuscitation or hospital admission for more than 24 hours
3. Over-Seven-Day Injuries
Injuries where an employee or self-employed person cannot carry out their normal work duties for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident).
4. Dangerous Occurrences
Specific incidents with the potential to cause significant harm (PSIF), even if no injury occurred. Examples include:
Structural collapses
Explosions or fires
Chemical releases
Gas incidents
Electrical incidents causing explosion or fire
Biological agents causing illness
5. Occupational Diseases
Certain work-related diseases diagnosed by a registered medical practitioner, including:
Occupational asthma
Dermatitis
Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Occupational cancer
Disease attributed to exposure to biological agents
Lung diseases including pneumoconiosis
When to Report: Critical Timescales
Immediate Reporting Required:
Fatal accidents
Specified injuries
Dangerous occurrences
Report Within 10 Days:
Over-seven-day injuries
Occupational diseases
Missing these deadlines can result in enforcement action and penalties.
How to Report RIDDOR Incidents
Online Reporting (Preferred Method)
The HSE's online reporting system at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor is the quickest and most efficient method for most incidents.
Telephone Reporting
For fatal and specified major injuries only:
HSE Incident Contact Centre: 0345 300 9923
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
What Information You'll Need
When making a RIDDOR report, ensure you have:
Date, time and location of incident
Details of injured person (name, age, job role)
Description of what happened
Nature of injury or dangerous occurrence
Contact details of the responsible person
Record Keeping Requirements
Beyond reporting, RIDDOR requires maintaining records of all reportable incidents for at least three years. Records must include:
Date and method of reporting
Date, time and place of incident
Personal details of affected individuals
Brief description of nature of incident and injury
Records can be kept electronically or on paper but must be readily accessible for inspection.
What's NOT Reportable Under RIDDOR
Understanding what doesn't require reporting is equally important:
Minor cuts and bruises
Muscle strains from gradual exposure (not sudden incidents)
Stress-related conditions (unless specific occupational diseases)
Self-inflicted injuries
Injuries occurring during normal travel to and from work
Remember: incidents may still need recording in your accident book even if they're not RIDDOR reportable.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Construction Industry
Construction has additional dangerous occurrences requirements, including incidents involving lifting equipment, false work collapse and electrical incidents.
Healthcare Settings
Healthcare often involves uncertainty around patient-related incidents. Only incidents affecting staff or where patients are injured due to work activities require reporting.
Schools and Educational Settings
School incidents involving pupils are only reportable if they result from work activities or health and safety failures in maintenance/premises management.
Common RIDDOR Reporting Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors:
Reporting incidents that don't meet the criteria
Missing reporting deadlines
Submitting multiple reports for the same incident
Failing to maintain proper records
Confusing RIDDOR reporting with insurance claims
The Business Benefits of RIDDOR Compliance
Proper RIDDOR compliance delivers:
Legal Protection: Avoiding prosecution and financial penalties
Improved Safety Culture: Enhanced awareness and prevention focus
Insurance Benefits: Supporting claims and demonstrating due diligence
Reputation Management: Showing commitment to employee welfare
Data-Driven Improvements: Using incident data to prevent future occurrences
Recent Changes and Updates
RIDDOR 2013 simplified previous requirements by:
Replacing "major injuries" with a clearer "specified injuries" list
Reducing industrial disease categories from 47 to 8
Streamlining dangerous occurrence reporting
Maintaining the same reporting timescales and methods
Getting Expert Support
Understanding when and how to report under RIDDOR can be complex. Professional guidance helps to meet compliance while avoiding unnecessary reporting that wastes resources.
At Duo Dynamic Safety Solutions, we provide support for RIDDOR compliance and accident investigation services. We help organisations understand their obligations, implement effective reporting procedures and conduct thorough incident investigations that prevent recurrence.
Our services include:
Compliance audits and gap analysis
Staff training on reporting requirements
Policy development and procedure writing
Ongoing compliance support and advice
Download Your Free RIDDOR Checklist
To help ensure you never miss a reporting requirement, we've created a comprehensive RIDDOR checklist covering:
✅ Incident assessment criteria
✅ Reporting timescales and methods
✅ Required information checklist
✅ Record keeping requirements
✅ Common exemptions and exclusions
Download your free RIDDOR reporting checklist to keep your organisation compliant and your workforce protected.
Key Takeaways
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Compliance requires understanding what incidents are reportable, meeting timescales and maintaining records.
The regulations contribute to national safety data that helps prevent workplace accidents and saves lives across British industry.
Remember the essentials:
Fatal accidents and specified injuries require immediate reporting.
Over-seven-day injuries and occupational diseases must be reported within 10 days.
Records must be kept for at least three years.
Only the responsible person should submit reports.
Professional support can ensure compliance and improve safety outcomes.
Don't let RIDDOR compliance become a burden. With understanding and the right support, reporting requirements become a valuable tool for protecting your workforce and building a stronger safety culture.
Need expert guidance on RIDDOR compliance or accident investigation? Contact us today. We provide solutions that keep your organisation compliant while improving workplace safety.
Contact us for professional RIDDOR support or learn more about our accident investigation services.
