RIDDOR explained: what to report, when and how

RIDDOR is the law that tells you which serious workplace incidents you must report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its full name is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Reporting is the job of the "responsible person", usually the employer or whoever controls the premises where the work happens.

Getting it wrong is common, and failing to report is an offence in its own right. Here is what you need to know.

What you must report

1. Deaths

Any death of a worker or non worker caused by a work related accident (except suicide), including a death within a year of a reportable injury.

2. Specified injuries to workers

These are serious injuries listed in the regulations:

• fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
• amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe
• injuries likely to cause permanent blindness or reduced 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 damaging the eyes, breathing or other vital organs
• scalping that needs hospital treatment
• loss of consciousness caused by a head injury or asphyxia
• any injury from working in an enclosed space that leads to hypothermia, heat induced illness, resuscitation or more than 24 hours in hospital

3. Over 7 day injuries

An injury that keeps a worker away from work, or unable to do their normal duties, for more than 7 consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident but counting weekends and rest days.

4. Members of the public taken to hospital

If someone who is not at work, such as a customer or visitor, is injured by a work activity and taken directly from the scene to hospital for treatment, it is reportable. Examinations and tests such as X rays on their own do not count as treatment.

5. Occupational diseases

When a doctor diagnoses certain conditions linked to work, including carpal tunnel syndrome, severe cramp of the hand or forearm, occupational dermatitis, hand arm vibration syndrome, occupational asthma, tendonitis of the hand or forearm, occupational cancers and diseases caused by biological agents.

6. Dangerous occurrences

Certain near misses with a high potential to cause harm, listed in Schedule 2 of the regulations. Examples include the collapse or failure of lifting equipment, and accidental releases of substances that could harm people.

7. Gas incidents

Specific duties apply to gas suppliers and Gas Safe registered engineers.

Deadlines

Type of incident	When to report
Death or specified injury	Without delay, and the report must be received within 10 days
Over 7 day injury to a worker	Within 15 days of the accident
Occupational disease	As soon as you receive the diagnosis
Dangerous occurrence	Without delay

How to report

Most reports are made using the online forms on the HSE website. Only fatal accidents and specified injuries can also be reported by telephone to HSE's Incident Contact Centre on 0345 300 9923.

What you must record

Even when something does not need reporting, you may still need to record it:

• Every reportable incident and diagnosis must be recorded.
• Over 3 day injuries, where a worker is off normal duties for more than 3 consecutive days, must be recorded even though they are not reported.
• RIDDOR records must be kept for at least three years.
• If you have more than 10 employees, you must also keep an accident book under social security law.

Common mistakes

• Counting days wrongly. Weekends and rest days count towards the 7 days.
• Forgetting visitors. A customer taken to hospital from your premises can be reportable.
• Missing light duties. If a worker comes back but cannot do their normal job, the clock is still running.
• Not recording over 3 day injuries because they are not reportable.

How MYRA helps

MYRA Compliance keeps every incident, injury and near miss in one place, so your records are always ready. From any incident you can produce a RIDDOR report with the details HSE asks for, ready to use when you complete the online form.

Find out more about incident reporting in MYRA Compliance.