UK Compliance Guide
What workplace injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences you must report to the HSE, the deadlines that apply, and the most common mistakes that leave employers exposed.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 — Updated February 2026
RIDDOR — the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 — is the UK law that requires employers, the self-employed, and people in control of premises to report certain workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and specified dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The data collected by the HSE is used to identify accident trends, target inspection resources, and shape health and safety policy across UK industries. Failure to report is a criminal offence.
Who must comply
RIDDOR applies to all employers, self-employed people, and people in control of work premises in Great Britain. Different rules apply in Northern Ireland (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997).
There are six categories of reportable event. Each has different triggers, definitions, and deadlines.
Most reports are submitted online via the HSE's RIDDOR reporting portal at riddor.hse.gov.uk.
Used for: specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, occupational diseases, dangerous occurrences, and injuries to non-workers.
Deaths and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately by telephone: 0345 300 9923 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm).
You must also complete the online report within 10 days of the event.
Even for incidents that aren't reportable under RIDDOR, you should keep a record of all workplace accidents. RIDDOR requires you to keep records of reportable events for at least 3 years. Your own incident records are valuable for identifying trends, supporting insurance claims, and demonstrating due diligence if questioned.
The HSE can and does prosecute for failure to report. These are the most frequent errors.
Waiting to see if they return to work
Start counting the 7 days from the day after the accident. Report as soon as 7 consecutive days of incapacitation are confirmed — not when you think they might come back.
Only counting working days
The 7-day count includes weekends, bank holidays, and rest days. Day 1 is the day after the accident.
Not reporting near-misses as dangerous occurrences
Dangerous occurrences must be reported even if no one was injured. Review Schedule 2 of RIDDOR 2013 for the full list.
Assuming minor-looking injuries don't qualify
Specified injuries are defined by type, not severity. A small fracture to the wrist is still a specified injury. If in doubt, report it.
Not reporting occupational diseases when diagnosed
The trigger for reporting occupational diseases is a doctor's diagnosis, not the onset of symptoms. You need a process to capture these when they happen.
Reporting self-employed contractors as employees
Self-employed people who provide their own equipment are responsible for their own RIDDOR reporting. Check your contractor arrangements.
Failure to report under RIDDOR is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The HSE can prosecute employers and individuals. Penalties include unlimited fines for organisations and fines or imprisonment for individuals.
Beyond prosecution, failing to report can affect insurance claims, complicate civil litigation, and undermine your ability to demonstrate due diligence as an employer.
The HSE uses RIDDOR data to target inspection activity. Organisations with poor reporting records — or gaps in reporting compared to their industry profile — may attract additional scrutiny.
EHS Genesis automatically detects whether an incident meets RIDDOR criteria, calculates the reporting deadline, and prepares the submission data — so your team always knows what needs reporting and when.