RIDDOR explained: when and how to report

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers (and other responsible persons) to report certain workplace injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Failure to report is a criminal offence. Penalties include unlimited fines.

What must be reported?

Deaths

All deaths of workers or non-workers arising from a work-related accident, including acts of physical violence.

Specified injuries to workers

Fractures (except to fingers, thumbs, and toes)
Amputations
Crush injuries leading to internal organ damage
Serious burns (covering more than 10% of the body or affecting eyes, respiratory system, or major organs)
Scalping (separation of skin from the head)
Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
Hypothermia, heat-induced illness, or unconsciousness requiring resuscitation or hospital admission

Over-7-day incapacitation

If a worker is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident), this must be reported within 15 days of the incident.

Injuries to non-workers (members of the public)

If a person who is not an employee is injured on your premises and taken directly to hospital for treatment.

Occupational diseases

Including carpal tunnel syndrome, severe cramp, occupational dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, occupational asthma, and certain infections linked to specific work activities.

Dangerous occurrences

Near-misses with the potential to cause serious harm, including: collapse of scaffolding, failure of lifting equipment, electrical incidents causing fire or explosion, uncontrolled release of substances, and building collapse.

How to report

Reports must be made to the HSE:

Online: The HSE's online reporting form at hse.gov.uk/riddor/report
Phone: The HSE Incident Contact Centre on 0345 300 9923 (for fatal and specified injuries only)
Deadline: Deaths and specified injuries must be reported without delay. Over-7-day injuries within 15 days. Diseases as soon as a doctor confirms.

You must also keep records

Even incidents that don't meet RIDDOR thresholds must be recorded in your accident book. Records must be kept for at least 3 years. The HSE may request to see your records during an inspection or investigation.

How TrainedTeam helps with RIDDOR compliance

Accident reporting procedure template - step-by-step guide that walks staff through what to do after an incident, including when RIDDOR reporting is needed
Training with knowledge checks - ensure all staff know when and how to report incidents
E-signed acknowledgments - prove every employee has been trained on accident reporting
Run execution - accident investigation becomes a guided process with photo evidence and notes