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Health & Safety 2 min read

What is RIDDOR and when must incidents be reported?

Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Health & Safety Consultant, NEBOSH Last updated: 20 February 2026
Expert Answer

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers (and other "responsible persons") to report certain types of workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

What Must Be Reported?

  • Deaths — any work-related death must be reported immediately by phone (0345 300 9923) and followed up with an online report within 10 days
  • Specified injuries — fractures (other than fingers, thumbs, and toes), amputations, crush injuries, loss of consciousness, chemical or hot metal burns to the eye, scalping, any injury requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
  • Over-7-day incapacitation — if an employee is incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident), report within 15 days
  • Non-fatal injuries to non-workers — if a member of the public is taken to hospital from your premises
  • Occupational diseases — including carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, occupational asthma, and tendonitis
  • Dangerous occurrences — near misses with high potential for harm (e.g., scaffold collapse, electrical incidents, explosion)

How to Report

Reports are made online at the HSE's website, except for fatalities and specified injuries which require an immediate phone call. Employers must keep records of all RIDDOR reports for at least 3 years.

Failure to Report

Not reporting when required is a criminal offence. The HSE can investigate and prosecute employers who fail to comply with RIDDOR.

Our accident investigation service includes RIDDOR reporting support. Get help now.

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