The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has launched a significant public consultation on The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). This initiative invites businesses, employers, health practitioners, and industry stakeholders to contribute to shaping the future of how work-related incidents are reported, with proposals designed to both strengthen worker protections and reduce administrative burdens on businesses.
Public consultation aims to modernise vital RIDDOR regulations.
The consultation represents a crucial opportunity to update the foundational regulations governing the reporting of work-related injuries, ill health, and dangerous occurrences to the regulator. The HSE is seeking comprehensive feedback on both legislative and non-legislative changes, aiming to ensure the reporting framework remains relevant and effective in modern workplaces.
On the legislative front, the HSE proposes several key amendments to RIDDOR. These include clarifying existing definitions within the regulations where current terminology has been identified as unclear or ambiguous, thereby enhancing understanding and compliance. Furthermore, the regulator plans to revise the list of dangerous occurrences to better reflect contemporary workplace risks, ensuring that emerging hazards are appropriately captured. The list of reportable occupational diseases is also set for an overhaul, with proposals to reintroduce certain conditions previously removed and to add new ones, guaranteeing that serious instances of work-related ill health are comprehensively reported.
A notable legislative proposal seeks to broaden the scope of professionals authorised to formally diagnose a reportable occupational disease. Currently, such diagnoses must be made by a doctor registered with and holding a licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC). The HSE is advocating for an extension of this authority to include other registered health practitioners, acknowledging the diverse range of professionals now involved in occupational health services. This change aims to streamline the reporting process and better integrate with current healthcare practices.
Beyond legislative adjustments, the HSE is also seeking views on non-legislative improvements. A primary focus here is simplifying the online RIDDOR reporting form. The goal is to enhance usability, making the reporting process more straightforward for all users. This simplification is intended to address the long-standing challenges of both under-reporting and over-reporting, which can hinder the accuracy of data and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight for both the regulator and businesses.
Rachael Radway, Deputy Director of Regulation at the Health and Safety Executive, emphasised the importance of the consultation. “RIDDOR reporting is central to how we identify emerging risk, target regulatory activity and contribute to the evidence base for workplace health and safety,” she stated. “This consultation allows those who will be affected by the changes to have their say as we look to improve standards and reduce the burden on business.” Ms Radway further encouraged participation from across all sectors and industries, specifically calling upon duty holders, self-employed workers, those in control of work premises, and healthcare practitioners involved in diagnosing and managing work-related conditions to engage, given the potential impact on their future ways of working.
The consultation period will conclude on 30 June 2026.
Detailed proposals, background information, and guidance on how to submit a response are available on the HSE website at https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/.
This story was originally published on the HSE Media Centre.
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