What do the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations mean for me?

If someone has died or been injured because of a work-related accident, this may have to be reported.  Not all accidents need to be reported, other than for certain gas incidents. 

A RIDDOR report is required only when:

• the accident is work-related 

AND

• it results in an injury of a type which is reportable*

An accident is 'work-related' if any of the following played a significant role in how an injury was sustained:

• the way in which the work was being carried out
• how any machinery, plant, substances, or equipment was being used for carrying out the work
• the condition of the site, or premises, where the accident happened

The ‘Responsible Person’ has the duty to report under RIDDOR.  This includes employers, the self-employed, and people in control of work premises.  Injured persons, members of the public or others who do not have duties under RIDDOR should not use this reporting system.

Reportable injuries* include:

• Work-related deaths (not including suicides)
• Specified injuries to workers
• Injuries to workers which result in their incapacitation for more than 7 days
• Injuries to non-workers which result in them being taken directly to hospital for treatment

Employers and self-employed people must report diagnoses of certain occupational diseases where these are likely to have been caused, or made worse, by their work. Examples include occupational dermatitis, occupational asthma and tendonitis in the hand or forearm. 

Dangerous occurrences are certain, specified near-miss events.  There are 27 categories of dangerous occurrences that are relevant to most workplaces .  Not all near-miss events are reportable, so check the list of categories before completing a RIDDOR notification.

‘Responsible Persons’ should complete the appropriate online RIDDOR report form which will then be submitted directly to the RIDDOR database.  All forms will then be forwarded to the correct Enforcing Authority – Local Authority Environmental Health or the Health and Safety Executive – for review.

RIDDOR reporting links can be accessed via the HSE website.