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What Is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is the law that requires employers, and other people in control of work premises, to report and keep records of:
- Work-related accidents which cause death
- Work-related accidents which cause certain serious injuries (reportable injuries)
- Work-related accidents which result in more than seven consecutive days absence
- Diagnosed cases of certain industrial diseases
- Certain ‘dangerous occurrences’ (incidents with the potential to cause harm)
- Injuries to members of the public which result in hospital treatment
Why Report?
Reporting certain incidents is a legal requirement. The report informs the enforcing authorities (HSE, local authorities and the Office for Rail Regulation (ORR)) about deaths, injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences, so they can identify where and how risks arise, and whether they need to be investigated. This allows the enforcing authorities to target their work and provide advice about how to avoid work-related deaths, injuries, ill health and accidental loss.
What Must Be Reported?
Work-related accidents
For the purposes of RIDDOR, an accident is a separate, identifiable, unintended incident that causes physical injury. This includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work.
Not all accidents need to be reported, a RIDDOR report is required only when:
- The accident is work-related
- It results in an injury type as listed under ‘Types of Reportable Injuries’
When deciding if the accident is work-related, the key issues to consider are whether the accident was related to:
- The way the work was organised, carried out or supervised
- Any machinery, plant, substances or equipment used for work
- The condition of the site or premises where the accident happened
If these factors are not relevant it is likely a report will not be required.
Types Of Reportable Injury
Deaths
All deaths to workers and non-workers must be reported if they arise from a work-related accident, including an act of physical violence to a worker. Suicides are not reportable, as the death does not result from a work-related accident.
Specified Injuries To Workers
The list of ‘specified injuries’ in RIDDOR 2013 includes:
- A fracture, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
- Amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe
- Permanent loss of sight or reduction of sight
- Crush injuries leading to internal organ damage
- Serious burns (covering more than 10% of the body, or damaging the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs)
- Scalping’s (separation of skin from the head) which require hospital treatment
- Unconsciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
- Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space, which leads to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
Over Seven-Day Injuries To Workers
Where the person is absent from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident).
Injuries To Non-Workers
Accidents involving members of the public or people who are not at work must be reported if the person is injured and taken to hospital for treatment. There is no requirement to establish what treatment was provided and no need to report incidents where the person is taken to hospital purely as a precaution when no injury is apparent.
Reportable Occupational Diseases
Employers must report diagnoses of certain occupational diseases where these are likely to have been caused or made worse by their work.
These diseases include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Severe cramp of the hand or forearm
- Occupational dermatitis
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Occupational asthma
- Tendonitis or tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm
- Any occupational cancer
- Any disease attributed to an occupational exposure to a biological agent.
Reportable Dangerous Occurrences
Dangerous occurrences are certain, specified ‘near-miss’ events (incidents with the potential to cause harm.) Not all such events require reporting. There are 27 categories of dangerous occurrences that are relevant to most workplaces. For example:
- The collapse, overturning or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment
- Plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines
- Explosions or fires causing work to be stopped for more than 24 hours
Certain additional categories of dangerous occurrences apply to mines, quarries, offshore workplaces and certain transport systems e.g., railways etc.
Exemptions
In general, reports are not required for deaths and injuries that result from:
- Medical treatment, dental treatment or an examination carried out by a doctor or dentist
- The duties carried out by a member of the armed forces while on duty
- Road traffic accidents, unless the accident involved:
- the loading or unloading of a vehicle
- work alongside the road, e.g. construction or maintenance work
- the escape of a substance being conveyed by the vehicle
- a train
Recording Requirements
Records of incidents covered by RIDDOR are also important. They ensure enough information is collected to allow proper management of health and safety and risk assessment. A record must be kept of:
- Any accident, occupational disease or dangerous occurrence which requires reporting under RIDDOR
- Any other occupational accident causing injury that results in absence from work or incapacitated for more than three consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident but including any weekends or other rest days). You do not have to report over three-day injuries, unless the incapacitation period goes on to exceed seven days.
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