Under RIDDOR, you have a legal duty to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences such as near misses – accidents that could have caused harm such as an explosion. A RIDDOR report is only required if the accident is work-related, so you don’t need to report every accident.

What is the purpose of RIDDOR?

RIDDOR is in place to help keep you and your employees safe at work and it also allows the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities to investigate serious accidents, identify how risks arise and help them to monitor accident trends, allowing them to invest in strategies to prevent accidents and additional training for the future.

Why is it important?

In 2017/18, 555,000 injuries occurred at work. RIDDOR is important because it keeps businesses accountable for safety, putting measures in place to keep everyone safe with the hope that it encourages people to follow health and safety procedures at work.

What do I need to report under RIDDOR?

You only need to report accidents that are work-related and there are 7 categories of injury, diseases and dangerous occurrences:

1. Deaths
2. Specified injuries (this replaces the previous list of major injuries)
3. Injuries that last over 7 days
4. Non-fatal accidents to members of the public
5. Occupation Diseases
6. Dangerous occurrences
7. Gas incidents

Fatalities to workers that are reported under RIDDOR must be made using the quickest practical means.  For fatal accidents or accidents resulting in specified injuries to workers only, you can phone 0345 300 9923. Instructions will be provided from the HSE as to how to proceed but will most likely result in an instruction to leave the scene undisturbed if an HSE or Local Authority Inspector is attending.

How do I report a RIDDOR incident?

RIDDOR accidents should be reported within 10 days and should be reported online through the HSE website here.  You’ll need to report the date, time and location of the incident, personal information of person involved and description of the incident. Once uploaded, you’ll receive a copy for your records.

What happens if I don’t report an incident?

If you fail to report a RIDDOR incident, you’re breaking the law and you run the risk of being taken to court by the HSE or local authority which could result in a substantial fine or for serious offences, jail.