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RIDDOR reporting: which workplace accidents must be reported to HSE

RIDDOR requires employers and people in control of work premises to report certain work-related deaths, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences. This page explains what is reportable and what must be recorded, based on HSE leaflet INDG453.

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Answers are written by a language model solely from this base's documents, with numbered sources. They can be wrong and aren't legal, medical or financial advice: check the sources before any important decision.

What counts as a reportable incident

A RIDDOR report is needed only when an accident is work-related and causes a reportable type of injury. To decide if it is work-related, consider how the work was organised or supervised, the equipment or substances used, and the condition of the premises.

Reportable injuries include deaths, specified injuries to workers (for example fractures other than to fingers, thumbs and toes, amputations, serious burns, or unconsciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia) and injuries that keep a worker away from normal duties for more than seven consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident.

Certain occupational diseases, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational dermatitis, occupational asthma and any occupational cancer, must also be reported, as well as specified dangerous occurrences like the collapse of lifting equipment.

Dangerous occurrences and exemptions

Dangerous occurrences are specified near-miss events with the potential to cause harm. HSE says 27 categories are relevant to most workplaces, for example plant or equipment touching overhead power lines, or explosions and fires that stop work for more than 24 hours. Extra categories apply to mines, quarries, offshore workplaces and some transport systems.

Reports are generally not required for deaths and injuries resulting from medical or dental treatment under a doctor or registered dentist, or from duties carried out by members of the armed forces on duty.

Recording duties and how to report

You must keep a record of any reportable incident and of any accident that keeps a worker away from work or incapacitated for more than three consecutive days. If you already keep an accident book, that record is enough, and you must produce records when an inspector asks.

Reports are made online through the HSE RIDDOR web pages. A telephone service remains available only for fatal and specified injuries.

Frequently asked questions

Do injuries to visitors or members of the public need reporting?

Yes, if the accident is work-related and the person is taken from the scene to hospital for treatment of the injury. You do not need to report cases where someone goes to hospital purely as a precaution with no apparent injury.

Do I have to report an over-three-day injury?

No. You must record it, but you only report it if the incapacitation goes on to exceed seven days. Weekends and rest days count when working out the three days.

Are road traffic accidents covered by RIDDOR?

Generally not. They become reportable when the accident involved loading or unloading a vehicle, work alongside the road such as construction or maintenance, the escape of a substance carried by the vehicle, or a train.

Are suicides at work reportable?

No. HSE explains that suicides are not reportable because the death does not result from a work-related accident.

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