What is this document?
INDG453 "Reporting Accidents and Incidents at Work" explains the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). This is the law that requires employers and those in control of premises to report certain workplace accidents and incidents to the HSE.
Failure to report when required is a criminal offence. This guide helps you understand what must be reported, when, and how.
Who needs to read this?
- All employers regardless of sector or size
- Self-employed people
- Those in control of premises where work takes place
- Landlords and property managers responsible for buildings
- Care providers operating residential or day care services
- Trustees and charity leaders with responsibility for staff and volunteers
If you have any responsibility for workplace safety, you need to understand RIDDOR.
Key points covered
What must be reported
RIDDOR requires reporting of:
Deaths - All work-related fatalities must be reported immediately
Specified injuries - Serious injuries including:
- Fractures (other than fingers, thumbs and toes)
- Amputations
- Loss of sight or permanent reduction in sight
- Crush injuries to head or torso causing damage to brain or internal organs
- Serious burns covering more than 10% of the body
- Scalping
- Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
- Any injury requiring hospital admission for more than 24 hours
Over 7 day incapacitation - Injuries that keep a worker away from their normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident)
Injuries to non-workers - If a member of the public or other non-worker is injured on your premises and taken directly to hospital for treatment
Occupational diseases - Certain diagnosed conditions including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Severe cramp of the hand or forearm
- Occupational dermatitis
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Occupational asthma
- Tendonitis or tenosynovitis
- Any occupational cancer
- Any disease attributed to an occupational exposure to a biological agent
Dangerous occurrences - Near misses and incidents that could have caused serious harm, including:
- Collapse or overturning of lifting equipment
- Plant coming into contact with overhead power lines
- Explosions or fires causing work stoppage for 24+ hours
- Release of flammable or toxic substances
When to report
- Deaths and specified injuries: notify without delay (phone the Incident Contact Centre)
- Over 7 day injuries: report within 15 days of the incident
- Occupational diseases: report when you receive a diagnosis from a doctor
How to report
Reports must be made online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor or by phone to the HSE Incident Contact Centre for fatal and specified injuries.
How this applies to you
You must have a system in place to:
- Record all accidents in your accident book (even those not reportable under RIDDOR)
- Identify which incidents need reporting using the RIDDOR criteria
- Report within the required timeframes
- Keep records of all RIDDOR reports for at least 3 years
Common mistakes include:
- Not realising an injury is reportable (e.g., a fracture that seemed minor)
- Missing the 15-day deadline for over 7 day injuries
- Not reporting injuries to visitors or members of the public
- Confusing the 7-day rule (it is about incapacity, not absence)
Failure to report a RIDDOR incident is a criminal offence. If you are unsure whether something is reportable, check the HSE website or report it to be safe.
Recording vs reporting
You must record all injuries in your accident book, but only certain incidents need to be reported to the HSE. Recording is for all accidents. Reporting is for the serious ones defined by RIDDOR.
Related guidance
- Workplace safety requirements
- Five steps to risk assessment (INDG163)
- Basic advice on first aid (INDG347)
Official HSE document: Download INDG453 from HSE