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What is RIDDOR?

Posted on July 18, 2024

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.  These regulations require employers, self-employed people, and those in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences that arise out of or in connection with work.

What Constitutes a RIDDOR Event?

A RIDDOR event is an incident that meets specific criteria.  These include:

  • Work-Related Accidents:
    • Fatal accidents.
    • Any accident that results in a worker being unable to perform their normal duties for more than seven consecutive days.
    • Specified injuries such as fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs, and toes), amputations, any injury likely to lead to permanent loss or reduction of sight, serious burns, and others.
  • Occupational Diseases:
    • Diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome, severe cramp of the hand or forearm, occupational dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, occupational asthma, and others.
  • Dangerous Occurrences:
    • These are specific, potentially hazardous incidents that do not result in a reportable injury but could have done.  Examples include the collapse or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment, plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines, and the accidental release of any substance which could cause serious injury.

Who is Responsible for Notifying RIDDOR Events?

The ‘responsible person’ has the duty to notify and report.  This may be the employer of an injured person, a self-employed person, or someone in control of the premises where work is carried out.  The responsible person is determined by the circumstances of the reportable incident, as detailed in the table below.

Reportable Incident Injured Person Responsible Person
Death, specified injury, over-seven-day injury or case of disease. An employee at work.

 

 That person’s employer.
Death, specified injury or over-seven-day injury. A self-employed person at work in premises under someone else’s control. The person in control of the premises.
Specified injury, over-seven-day injury or case of disease. A self-employed person at work in premises under their control. The self-employed person or someone acting on their behalf.
Death or injury which means you must be taken to hospital for treatment (or a specified injury occurring at a hospital). A person not at work (but affected by the work of someone else), e.g.  patient, volunteer or visitor. The person in control of the premises or, in domestic premises, the employer in control of the work activity.
Dangerous occurrence. The person in control of the premises where (or in connection with the work at which) the dangerous occurrence happened.

The report should be made to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as soon as possible and must be done online via the HSE website.  In the case of a fatality or major incident, it is also necessary to notify the HSE by phone immediately.

Why is RIDDOR Important?

  • Legal Compliance: Following RIDDOR is not just good practice, it’s the law.  Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
  • Improving Safety: Reporting incidents helps to identify and mitigate risks.  By understanding what caused an accident, steps can be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
  • Data Collection: RIDDOR helps in collecting data on workplace incidents.  This information is crucial for national statistics on workplace safety, which can guide policy and regulatory decisions.
  • Transparency and Trust: Reporting incidents transparently builds trust with employees, stakeholders, and the public.  It shows a commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
  • Protecting Employees: Ultimately, the goal of RIDDOR is to protect employees.  By promptly reporting and addressing hazards, workplaces can become safer, reducing the likelihood of injuries and illnesses.

Understanding and complying with RIDDOR is essential for all organisations.  It ensures that workplaces are safer, healthier, and more transparent.  By knowing what constitutes a RIDDOR event, who is responsible for reporting it, and why this is important, we can help foster a culture of safety and responsibility.  This not only protects employees but enhances the reputation and efficiency of any business.

Assistance with RIDDOR Events

If you require assistance with a RIDDOR event, please contact Courtley H&S on 0151 545 0497.  Our friendly experts are here to help you navigate the reporting process and ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations.  For non-urgent advice or support, please email [email protected].

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