What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is the law that says certain workplace incidents must be reported to the authorities. It is not the same as an accident book, and not every accident is reportable. Here is what it means in practice.
The basics
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. In Great Britain the current version is RIDDOR 2013. It requires the "responsible person" — usually the employer, self-employed person or the person in control of the premises — to report specified work-related incidents to the enforcing authority (usually the HSE, or the local authority for some sectors).
Reporting under RIDDOR is a separate duty from keeping an accident book, and from investigating an incident and fixing the cause.
What has to be reported
Deaths
Work-related deaths must be reported.
Specified injuries
A defined list — for example fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes), amputations, loss of sight, serious burns, scalping, crush injuries to the head or torso, and any injury needing resuscitation or 24-hour hospital admission.
Over-seven-day injuries
Where a worker is incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident) and cannot do their normal work.
Occupational diseases
Certain diagnosed work-related diseases, such as some cases of occupational dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, or occupational asthma.
Dangerous occurrences
Specified near-miss events — for example a scaffold collapse, a lifting equipment failure or a structural collapse — reportable even if no one is injured.
Gas incidents
Certain incidents involving flammable gas and reports from registered gas engineers about dangerous fittings.
Deciding whether a specific incident is reportable can be finely balanced — try the free RIDDOR checker for a quick view of a particular case, and see the reporting timescales for the deadlines.
Current law — and what is only proposed
RIDDOR 2013 (as amended) is the law in force. HSE consulted during 2026 on a possible overhaul (including expanding the list of reportable diseases), but those are proposals under consultation, not current law — this guide describes the requirements as they stand now. Always check GOV.UK/HSE for the position on the day.
Jurisdiction
Great Britain: RIDDOR 2013 (reports to the HSE). Northern Ireland: the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended (reports to HSENI).
Keep the record and see what looks reportable
Complys keeps your accident and incident register, flags whether an incident looks RIDDOR-reportable and links you to the HSE to file, and drives corrective actions through to closure with an audit trail. It does not submit RIDDOR reports to the HSE for you — you file, then record the reference against the incident.
Incident reporting software →FAQs
What does RIDDOR stand for?
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. In Great Britain the current version is RIDDOR 2013. It places a duty on the 'responsible person' to report certain workplace incidents to the enforcing authority (usually the HSE or the local authority).
Who has to report under RIDDOR?
The 'responsible person' — usually the employer, the self-employed person, or the person in control of the premises where the work is carried out. Workers themselves do not make the RIDDOR report; the responsible person does.
What has to be reported?
Work-related deaths, specified injuries, over-seven-day injuries, certain occupational diseases, specified dangerous occurrences, and certain gas incidents. Not every accident is reportable — an over-three-day injury, for example, must be recorded but is not automatically RIDDOR-reportable.
Does RIDDOR apply across the UK?
Great Britain uses RIDDOR 2013. Northern Ireland has its own equivalent — the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended. Reports in Northern Ireland go to HSENI.
Related: RIDDOR reporting timescales, RIDDOR vs the accident book, and incident reporting software. General information, not legal advice — check HSE for the current position.