An In-Depth Overview of RIDDOR:

RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) is a piece of health and safety legislation in the United Kingdom that gives employers a framework to report health and safety incidents.

It requires ‘responsible persons’ to correctly report and keep a record of specific injuries when they result from a work-related accident.

If you are an employer, or any other of the ‘responsible persons’ group that we will touch on in the blog, it is important you know what the law requires so you can ensure your company is compliant.

In this introductory guide, we will explore what RIDDOR is, its importance, the types of incidents that must be reported, who is responsible for reporting, and when and how you can file a report. 

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR is a piece of legislation that requires employers, self-employed individuals, and those in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace incidents such as:

• Work-Related Fatalities: Any fatality resulting from a work-related incident.
• Work-Related Injuries: Serious injuries such as fractures, amputations, severe burns, or loss of sight.
• Diagnosed Cases of Reportable Occupational Diseases: These can range from certain occupational cancers to diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome and occupational asthma.
• Certain Dangerous Occurrences: These are specific incidents with the potential to cause significant harm, such as the collapse of scaffolding or the accidental release of a hazardous substance.

RIDDOR’s primary purpose is to ensure that the relevant enforcing authority, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or local authorities, are informed about these incidents. This allows them to take the appropriate measures to ensure compliance with health and safety laws.

The regulations can be found and read on legislation.gov.uk.

Why is RIDDOR Important?

As we mentioned above, RIDDOR helps employers maintain workplace safety and allows the HSE to respond appropriately to reported incidents.

According to a Labour Force Survey (LFS) from 2022/23, which measures self-reports, an estimated 561,000 injuries occurred at work. RIDDOR reports, however, totalled just over a tenth of the LFS survey at 60,645.

The HSE confirms ‘it is known that employers substantially under-report these non-fatal injuries.’

The benefits of RIDDOR can be seen in the reduction of fatal accidents at work. Between the introduction of RIDDOR in 1995 and the revised version in 2013, the rate of fatal occurrences dropped by 48%.

Following the legislation is important to keep your employees safe. As an employer, it encourages you to enact health and safety procedures in the workplace which will help prevent accidents.

In addition to your employees’ safety, RIDDOR can have ramifications on the image of your company. A high-profile case for RIDDOR non-compliance saw Tesco fined £34,000 in 2011.

RIDDOR’s effects can also be felt outside the business. If you don’t follow the legislation and fail to report incidents, you are breaking the law. In 2021, a builder was jailed for failing to report a RIDDOR accident.

In summary, the regulations foster workplace safety through:

• Legal Compliance: It ensures that businesses adhere to health and safety laws.
• Safety Improvements: Enables identification and analysis of patterns in reported incidents to implement preventive measures.
• Accountability and Transparency: It fosters a culture of responsibility and openness in workplace safety practices.

What Incidents Do I Need to Report Under RIDDOR?

Reportable Injuries

Not all workplace incidents are to be reported under RIDDOR. Reportable accidents include:

• Death of Any Person: This includes employees, visitors, or members of the public.
• Specified Injuries to Workers: Such as fractures (excluding fingers, thumbs, and toes), amputations, and serious burns.
• Over-Seven-Day Injuries: Injuries that result in a worker being away for more than seven consecutive days.
• Non-Fatal Injuries to Non-Workers: Such as customers or volunteers, which require them to be taken directly to the hospital for treatment.

Reportable Accidents

RIDDOR defines an accident as a separate, identifiable, unintended incident that causes physical injury. This includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work. Be aware that gradual injuries from cumulative exposure to hazards, such as repetitive lifting, do not count as accidents under RIDDOR.

Dangerous Occurrences

Dangerous occurrences are near-miss events that could have caused harm.. Examples include the collapse of structures, accidental releases of hazardous substances, and major equipment failures.

What Does ‘Work-Related Accident’ Mean?

A work-related accident is defined as one ‘arising out of or in connection with work.’ To determine whether an accident is reportable, you need to consider: 

• The nature of the work being carried out.
• The activities of the injured person and others at the time of the incident.
• The involvement of workplace structures, equipment, or substances.

An important distinction to note is that for an accident to be reportable, the work activity itself must cause the incident. There can be cases where an accident occurring at the work premises is not reportable under RIDDOR.

For example, take two scenarios related to accidents catering and hospitality. In example 1, a customer is scalded while being served hot soup by staff and requires treatment. In example 2, a customer is scalded by the hot soup when they knock it off their table reaching for a glass.

You would be required to report the incident in example 1 as it arose from the work activity of serving soup. Example 2 would not be reportable, despite occurring on work premises, as the accident arose from the customer and not a specific work activity.

You can visit the HSE’s website to find more examples and distinction between what incidents are and aren’t reportable under RIDDOR.

When Do I Need To Report An Incident Under RIDDOR?

For most types of incidents under RIDDOR, the ‘responsible person’ must notify the enforcing authority without delay. This includes:

• Accidents resulting in the death of any person
• Accidents resulting in specified injuries to workers
• Non-fatal accidents requiring hospital treatment to non-workers
• Dangerous occurrences

These incidents should be reported as soon as possible, preferably online for efficiency. You can also report fatal accidents or those resulting in specified injuries to workers by phone at 0345 300 9923. 

A report must be submitted within 10 days of the incident.

Who Should Report Under RIDDOR?

In the blog, we have mentioned reporting is under the remit of ‘responsible persons’. These include:

• Employers: They must report incidents involving their workers.
• Self-Employed Individuals: They must report incidents occurring on their premises.
• Persons in Control of Work Premises: This includes building owners or operators of certain facilities.

Therefore, the reporting system is not to be used by the injured person themselves (unless self-employed), members of the public, or others without duties under RIDDOR.

Employees should report incidents to an appropriate person, such as their supervisor. Members of the public can file reports with the HSE using a different form.

How Do I Make A RIDDOR Report?

In order to make a RIDDOR report, you must complete the relevant online form which will then be submitted to the RIDDOR database. You can download a copy of this form for your records.

There are specific forms for different types of reports which you can find on the HSE’s website.

What Records Do I Need To Keep Under RIDDOR?

As a ‘responsible person’, you must maintain records of any reportable injury, over-seven-day injury, disease, or dangerous occurrence. These records should include:

• Date and Method of Reporting: When and how the incident was reported.
• Details of the Event: The date, time, and place of the incident.
• Personal Details: Information about the individuals involved.
• Description of the Event or Disease: A brief overview of what happened or the nature of the disease.

When you submit a RIDDOR report online, you will receive a confirmation message along with a RIDDOR reference number. You will also have the option to download a PDF copy of the submitted form, which you should save and print for your records.

You should keep records for at least 3 years after the date of the accident but it is advisable to keep them for longer, around 5-6 years, to allow time for any civil litigation to be made.

Accident Investigation Training

If you are a manager or H&S staff responsible for investigating personal injury or accidents in the workplace, our IIRSM Lead Accident Investigators qualification will help you understand what the law requires when it comes to Accident Investigation, RIDDOR and employers’ and employees’ responsibilities during and after the investigation.

Please visit the link above for more information on the contents of the course and when it is next running.

Conclusion

RIDDOR plays an important role in ensuring workplace safety in the UK. It requires the systematic reporting of significant workplace incidents, which helps regulatory bodies like the HSE to monitor, investigate, and enforce health and safety standards. While fatal injuries fell 48% from RIDDOR’s introduction in 1995 and its revision in 2013, 135 deaths were still recorded in 2022/23, room for improvement remains.

By understanding the requirements and importance of RIDDOR, you will be able to improve your business’s safety protocols and prevent future incidents. RIDDOR’s emphasis on recording various incidents, from fatalities and major injuries to dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases, ensures that all aspects of workplace safety are addressed. This holistic approach helps in safeguarding employees from a wide range of potential hazards.

In conclusion, RIDDOR is a vital tool when it comes to workplace safety. By fostering a systematic approach to reporting and addressing workplace incidents, it helps ensure that hazards are identified and mitigated promptly. Employers who embrace the guidelines not only comply with the law but also demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer, healthier work environment. This commitment not only protects employees but also enhances the overall success and sustainability of the organisation.