UK compliance guide
What is RIDDOR? Reportable injuries, deadlines and records
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires the “responsible person” — usually the employer — to report specified work-related deaths, serious injuries, certain diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority (normally the HSE). Most reports are made online and must be kept on record for at least 3 years.
Written by Thomas Featherstone, NEBOSH IGC-qualified and IOSH Managing Safely trained · Reviewed July 2026
What is reportable under RIDDOR?
Only certain work-related incidents are reportable. The table below summarises the main categories.
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Deaths | Any work-related death of a worker or a non-worker (e.g. a member of the public). |
| Specified injuries to workers | Fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes), amputations, permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight, crush injuries to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs, serious burns, scalpings needing hospital treatment, loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia, and injuries from working in an enclosed space leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or resuscitation / 24-hour hospital admission. |
| Over-7-day incapacitation of a worker | The worker is away from work, or cannot do their normal duties, for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident). |
| Injuries to non-workers | A member of the public or other non-worker is injured in connection with the work and taken from the scene to hospital for treatment. |
| Occupational diseases | Where a doctor diagnoses a reportable work-related disease — including carpal tunnel syndrome, severe cramp of the hand/forearm, occupational dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), occupational asthma, tendonitis/tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm, occupational cancer, and disease from a biological agent. |
| Dangerous occurrences | Specified near-miss events that could have caused serious harm — e.g. collapse or failure of lifting equipment, plant contacting overhead power lines, or an explosion/fire that stops work for over 24 hours. |
| Gas incidents | Certain incidents involving flammable gas and dangerous gas fittings (reported by registered gas engineers/suppliers). |
What is not normally reportable
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Minor injuries treated with first aid | Cuts, bruises and sprains that only need first aid are not reportable (though you should still record them). |
| Over-3-day but not over-7-day injuries | These must be recorded (e.g. in your accident book) but are not reportable to the HSE. |
| Injuries not resulting in a specified injury or over-7-day absence | If a worker is hurt but is not off / on restricted duties for more than 7 days and it isn't a specified injury, it isn't reportable. |
| Ill health not on the reportable diseases list | Only the specific diseases named in the regulations are reportable when linked to work and diagnosed by a doctor. |
Reporting deadlines
| Type of report | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Death or specified injury | Report without delay (fatal and specified major injuries can be reported to the HSE by phone), then submit the report within 10 days. |
| Over-7-day injury | Report within 15 days of the accident. |
| Reportable disease | Report as soon as you receive the doctor's written diagnosis. |
| Dangerous occurrence | Report without delay, then submit the report within 10 days. |
Who reports, how, and record-keeping
- Who: the “responsible person” — usually the employer; for the self-employed, themselves or someone acting for them; or the person in control of the premises.
- How: online via the HSE at hse.gov.uk/riddor. Fatal and specified major injuries can also be reported to the HSE by phone.
- Records: keep a record of any reportable incident for at least 3 years. Recording the required details (date, method, personal details, place, description) is a legal duty in its own right.
Practical examples
- A warehouse operative breaks their wrist (a fracture, not a finger/thumb/toe) — reportable as a specified injury.
- An office worker slips and is signed off for 9 days — reportable as an over-7-day injury.
- A visitor is struck by a falling box and taken to hospital for treatment — reportable (injury to a non-worker).
- A cleaner is diagnosed by their GP with work-related occupational dermatitis — reportable as a disease.
- A worker grazes a knee and returns to normal duties the same day — not reportable (record it only).
RIDDOR FAQs
Common questions
What does RIDDOR stand for?
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It sets out which work-related incidents must be reported to the enforcing authority (usually the HSE).
Who is responsible for making a RIDDOR report?
The 'responsible person' — normally the employer, or for the self-employed the person themselves (or someone acting for them), or the person in control of the premises where the work is carried out.
Do I have to report an injury that keeps someone off for 4 days?
No — an over-3-day injury must be recorded but is only reportable to the HSE once the incapacitation exceeds 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident).
How do I make a RIDDOR report?
Reports are made online through the HSE at hse.gov.uk/riddor. Fatal and specified (major) injuries can also be reported to the HSE by phone.
How long must RIDDOR records be kept?
Records of any reportable injury, disease or dangerous occurrence must be kept for at least 3 years from the date the record was made.
Official sources
This is a plain-English summary for UK SMEs, not legal advice, and does not replace the current HSE guidance or a professional judgement on a specific incident. Always check the latest guidance on hse.gov.uk and seek advice where you are unsure.
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