RIDDOR reporting timescales
Under RIDDOR 2013, the deadline depends on what happened. Here are the timescales, who reports, and the over-seven-day versus over-three-day trap.
The deadlines
| What happened | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Death or specified injury | Notify without delay; report received within 10 days |
| Over-seven-day injury | Report within 15 days of the accident |
| Reportable disease | Report without delay once the diagnosis is received |
| Dangerous occurrence | Report without delay |
For the most serious cases (fatalities and specified injuries), "without delay" means using the quickest practicable means — which is why these can be reported by phone as well as online — with the formal report following within 10 days.
The over-seven-day vs over-three-day trap
This catches people out constantly:
- •Over-seven-day incapacity — must be reported to the enforcing authority within 15 days.
- •Over-three-day incapacity — must be recorded (for example in the accident book) but is not automatically reportable.
Recording and reporting are two different obligations — see RIDDOR vs the accident book.
Who reports, and how
The responsible person (usually the employer or the person in control of the premises) makes the report. Most reports are made online through the HSE's reporting service; the most serious can also be made by phone. In Northern Ireland, reports go to HSENI. Not sure whether a specific incident needs reporting at all? Use the RIDDOR checker.
Have the details ready before the clock runs out
Complys keeps the incident record and the RIDDOR trigger details in one place, flags whether an incident looks reportable, and links you to the HSE to file — then stores your HSE reference against the record. It keeps the evidence and the corrective actions; it does not submit the report to the HSE for you.
Incident reporting software →FAQs
What are the RIDDOR reporting deadlines?
For a death or a specified injury, the responsible person must notify the enforcing authority without delay (by the quickest practicable means — for fatalities and specified injuries this includes telephone for the most serious cases), and a report must be received within 10 days of the incident. For an over-seven-day injury, the report must be made within 15 days of the accident. Certain diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported without delay once identified.
What is an over-seven-day injury?
An injury (not a specified injury) that stops a worker doing their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident. It must be reported within 15 days.
Is an over-three-day injury reportable?
No — an over-three-day injury is not automatically RIDDOR-reportable. It must be recorded (for example in the accident book), but the reporting duty applies to over-seven-day injuries. This is one of the most common RIDDOR mix-ups.
How do you report to RIDDOR?
Most reports are made online through the HSE reporting service; fatalities and specified injuries can also be reported by phone. In Northern Ireland reports go to HSENI. The responsible person makes the report — a records platform can prepare the information but does not file on your behalf.
Related: what is RIDDOR, RIDDOR vs the accident book, and incident reporting software. General information, not legal advice — check HSE for the current position.