15th Aug, 2019 Read time 2 minutes

A comprehensive guide to the RIDDOR regulations

RIDDOR stands for Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It was introduced in 1995 to try and add a more structured approach to how employers report any health and safety-related issues in the workplace. The regulations are broken down into three key areas; the reporting of injuries, diseases, and other ‘dangerous occurrences’ that are related to work.

Not every work-related incident needs to be reported. This is only necessary if they meet the following RIDDOR guidelines.


 

What does RIDDOR apply to?

The RIDDOR regulations apply to all workplaces and places duties on employers, the self-employed and the ‘responsible person’ in control of a workplace to report and record incidents relating to workplace deaths, injuries diseases and dangerous occurrences. The RIDDOR regulations protect employees from danger in the workplace.

 

Are Covid cases RIDDOR reportable?

Since the onset of the pandemic, Covid cases have now been made RIDDOR reportable if they are due to occupational exposure. You can find more on Covid and the implications for RIDDOR in our article on the subject.

Why is reporting a RIDDOR incident important?
Reporting a RIDDOR incident is essential when it comes to health and safety compliance and it also gives the HSE Executive a valuable database of incidents, injuries, deaths and near misses.

1. Reportable injuries

 

The death of any person

All incidents resulting in the death of a worker or non-worker will require the filing of a RIDDOR report if they arise from a work-related incident. The exception is in situations concerning suicide.

 

Specified injury to workers

The Specified Injuries include:

  • Bone fractures diagnosed by a registered medical professional
  • Crushing of the head or body that results in internal or brain damage
  • Burns covering more than 10% of the body or cause damage to the respiratory system, eyes and vital organs
  • Scalping
  • Head injuries or asphyxia that cause loss of consciousness
  • Injuries that occurred in an enclosed workplace resulting in: heat-induced illness, hypothermia, resuscitation or hospitalisation for more than 24 hours

Any of the listed injuries should be reported following the RIDDOR guidelines.

 

Seven-day injury

If the individual is off for more than seven consecutive days, then it must be reported. This doesn’t include the day of injury and must be reported within 15 days of the injury’s occurrence.

 

Three-day injury

If a worker is off for more than three days as a result of an injury the incident must be recorded but does not need to be reported.

 

Non-Fatal Accidents to Members of the Public

Any injury to a non-worker that results in hospitalisation must be reported in compliance with the RIDDOR guidelines.

 

2. Occupational Diseases

Both employers and self-employed individuals must report any diagnosis of the following conditions in a RIDDOR report:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cramp of the hand or forearm
  • Occupational dermatitis
  • Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome:
  • Occupational asthma:
  • Tendonitis or tenosynovitis:

A doctor must provide a diagnosis in writing for an employer however a verbal statement is sufficient for a self-employed individual.

 

3. Dangerous Occurrences

These are incidents that could cause injury or illness to a worker. These are close-call incidents. Not all incidents need to be reported so you should consult the actual regulations to see if you need to fill out a RIDDOR report

 

4. Gas Incidents

A gas incident must be reported if it has caused the death of any individual. Additionally, a registered gas engineer must advise on any dangerous gas related issues that could cause the following:

  • The accidental leakage of gas
  • Incomplete combustion of gas
  • Inadequate removal of the product of gas combustion

 

Who is exempt from reporting under RIDDOR? 

Whilst there are a number of incidents that are reportable under RIDDOR, there are several exemptions that you should still monitor but not necessarily report to the HSE Executive.

The following items are exempt under RIDDOR and are sourced from the HSE Executive (2021)

  1. accidents during medical or dental treatment, or during any examination carried out or supervised by a doctor or dentist
  2. accidents involving a moving vehicle on a public road (other than those associated with: loading or unloading operations; work alongside the road such as road maintenance; escapes of substances from the vehicle and accidents involving trains)
  3. accidents to members of the armed forces on duty

You also do not need to report some incidents when you are already following similar reporting requirements under other legislation:

  1. Nuclear Installations Act 1965
  2. Merchant Shipping Act 1988
  3. Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
  4. Civil Aviation (Investigation of Military Air Accidents at Civil Aerodromes) Regulations 2005
  5. Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996
  6. Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

The HSE Executive also has limited power to grant exemptions to the regulations. They can provide exemptions when European legislation allows it and they feel it will not negatively impact on people’s health and safety.

 

 

How do I make a RIDDOR report?

Making a RIDDOR report can be done online through the HSE Executive website. Our article provides you with information on how to fill out a RIDDOR report and everything you need to know about which report you need to fill in.

What do the RIDDOR Regulations Mean?
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