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RIDDOR Explained: What It Means for Your Claim
RIDDOR is the law that requires employers to report certain serious workplace accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A RIDDOR report made at the time can be useful evidence in an accident at work claim. If your employer didn't make one, you can still claim.
If you were seriously hurt at work, or off work for more than 7 days, your employer may have had to report it. This guide explains what has to be reported, how a report can help your claim and what to do if your employer didn't make one.
- Full name
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
- Reported to
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Who reports
- Your employer, or whoever controls the work
- Your claim
- Still possible with or without a report
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires certain workplace incidents to be reported to the HSE, which uses the reports to identify risks and decide which incidents to investigate.
A report is made close to the time of the accident, before any dispute about a claim. That's why it can be useful evidence later.
Who has to report?
The duty is on the "responsible person". In most cases that's your employer. If you're an employee, you don't have to report your own accident to the HSE, but you should make sure it's recorded in the accident book and tell your employer in writing.
- EmployeesYour employer must report.
- Self-employed peopleYou usually have to report your own reportable injury, unless it happened on premises someone else controls, in which case they must report it.
- Members of the publicThe person or business in control of the premises or the work activity must report.
What must be reported?
These are the main types of reportable incident, and the deadlines for reporting them.
Deaths
Any death of a worker or other person caused by a work-related accident. Must be reported without delay, and within 10 days.
Specified injuries
Serious injuries to workers, such as most fractures and amputations. The full list is below. Must be reported without delay, and within 10 days.
Over-7-day injuries
Injuries that keep a worker off their normal work for more than 7 days in a row. The day of the accident doesn't count, but weekends and rest days do. Must be reported within 15 days of the accident.
Members of the public
Injuries to people who aren't at work, such as customers or visitors, where they're taken straight from the scene to hospital for treatment.
Occupational diseases
Certain diseases, such as occupational asthma or dermatitis, once a doctor has diagnosed them in writing and they're likely to have been caused by the work.
Dangerous occurrences
Certain serious near misses, such as the collapse of lifting equipment or scaffolding, even if no one was hurt.
Employers must also keep a record of injuries that keep a worker off for more than 3 days, and keep records of reportable incidents for at least 3 years.
The specified injuries
These injuries to workers must be reported without delay:
- A fracture, other than to a finger, thumb or toe
- Amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe
- Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduced sight in one or both eyes
- A crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
- Serious burns, including scalding, covering more than 10% of the body, or causing significant damage to the eyes, breathing or other vital organs
- Any degree of scalping that needs hospital treatment
- Loss of consciousness caused by a head injury or asphyxia
- Any other injury from working in an enclosed space that leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness, or needs resuscitation or more than 24 hours in hospital
Reportable occupational diseases
These must be reported when a doctor diagnoses them in writing and the person's work is linked to them:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, where the work involves regular use of vibrating tools
- Severe cramp of the hand or forearm, from repetitive movements
- Occupational dermatitis
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Occupational asthma
- Tendonitis or tenosynovitis in the hand or forearm, from repetitive movements
- Any occupational cancer, and diseases caused by exposure to biological agents
Dangerous occurrences
Certain serious near misses must be reported even if no one was injured. Examples include the collapse or failure of lifting equipment, scaffolding collapses, electrical short circuits causing a fire or explosion, unintended explosions, and the accidental release of a biological agent likely to cause severe illness.
How a RIDDOR report can help your claim
A RIDDOR report isn't proof that your employer was to blame, but it can support your claim in several ways.
It was made at the time
It records the date, place and what happened close to the accident, before any dispute about a claim.
It's your employer's account
It's written by your employer, not you, so where it matches what you say, it's strong support for your version of events.
It shows how serious it was
A report means the injury met one of the reporting thresholds, such as a fracture or more than 7 days off work.
It shows your employer knew
It confirms your employer was aware of the accident and your injury at the time.
What if my employer didn't report it?
Failing to report an incident that should have been reported is a criminal offence, enforced by the HSE. It doesn't stop you making a claim. Other evidence can show what happened and how badly you were hurt, including:
- Your medical records
- Witness statements
- Photos and CCTV
- The accident book entry, or your own written record if there isn't one
- Your own account of what happened
A missing report can also be relevant to your claim, because it may suggest your employer didn't follow its legal duties. If a report should have been made, we can raise that with your employer's insurer.
Is a RIDDOR report an admission of fault?
No. A report records that something happened and that it met the reporting rules. It doesn't mean your employer accepts it was to blame, and a missing report doesn't mean it wasn't.
How to find out if a report was made
- Ask your employerYour employer, or whoever was in control of the work, has the duty to report, so they're the first place to ask. You can also ask them for a copy.
- Through your claimWhen we make a claim, we ask your employer for the documents usually disclosed in accident at work claims, which include any RIDDOR report.
- Ask the HSEYou, or we on your behalf, can ask the HSE for information it holds about you, including whether a report was made.
If you've just been injured, read what to do after an accident at work.
RIDDOR and your claim: FAQs
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers, self-employed people and people in control of work premises to report certain workplace deaths, serious injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous incidents to the Health and Safety Executive. Failing to report when required is a criminal offence.
Does my employer have to report every accident at work?
No. Only certain incidents must be reported, including deaths, specified injuries such as most fractures, injuries that keep a worker off their normal work for more than 7 days, certain occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences. Smaller injuries should still be recorded in the accident book.
Can I get a copy of the RIDDOR report about my accident?
You can ask your employer whether a report was made and for a copy. If you make a claim, we ask your employer for any RIDDOR report along with the other documents usually disclosed in accident at work claims. You can also ask the HSE for information it holds about you.
My employer's report describes the accident differently. What should I do?
Tell us. A RIDDOR report is your employer's account, not the final word on what happened. Your own account, witness statements, medical records and photos can all show what really happened. Write down your version of events as soon as you can and keep a copy.
Can I still claim if no RIDDOR report was made?
Yes. A missing report doesn't stop you claiming. Medical records, witness statements, photos, the accident book and your own account can all support your claim, and a missing report may itself suggest your employer didn't follow its legal duties.
Do I need to report my accident to the HSE myself?
If you're an employee, no. Reporting is your employer's responsibility. Make sure the accident is recorded in the accident book and tell your employer in writing. If you're self-employed, you may need to report your own reportable injury. See what to do after an accident at work.
Seriously injured at work?
Talk to our accident at work team for free, with no obligation. We'll explain whether you have a claim, find out what evidence is available, including any RIDDOR report, and tell you what to do next. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.