If you have encountered the term RIDDOR in a safety document, after a workplace incident, or while drafting a health and safety policy, this page gives you a plain-English explanation grounded directly in the regulation and the HSE's own published definitions.
RIDDOR meaning: the full name and legal status of the regulation
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It exists as a UK Statutory Instrument — SI 2013 No. 1471 — not an Act of Parliament. The current version is cited as the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. (legislation.gov.uk)
Being a Statutory Instrument means RIDDOR carries the full force of law but is secondary legislation made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Breach of its duties can result in enforcement action by the relevant enforcing authority.
What RIDDOR requires: the four categories of reportable events
According to the HSE's own key definitions, RIDDOR is the law that requires employers, and other people in charge of work premises, to report and keep records of all: (HSE — RIDDOR key definitions)
- Work-related fatalities — the death of any person resulting from a work-related accident
- Work-related injuries — specified injuries to workers and certain injuries to non-workers (regulation 4 and regulation 5)
- Diagnosed cases of reportable occupational diseases
- Certain dangerous occurrences — incidents with the potential to cause harm
The HSE's reportable incidents page confirms the full list of categories as: specified injuries to workers, reportable occupational diseases, exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents, and dangerous occurrences. (HSE — RIDDOR reportable incidents)
Who must report: employers and those in charge of work premises
RIDDOR uses the term 'responsible person'. Reports should only be submitted by the responsible person with duties under RIDDOR, which includes: (HSE — RIDDOR key definitions)
- Employers — in relation to their workers
- Some self-employed people
- Those in control of work premises — when a reportable work-related accident or event has occurred at premises they control
Injured workers, members of the public, and others without duties under RIDDOR should not use the reporting system. If you are a worker or member of the public wishing to raise a concern, the HSE provides a separate 'tell us about a health and safety issue' route.
What counts as a 'work-related' accident: the definition that determines whether you report
This is the gate that most managers trip over. Under RIDDOR, the HSE defines a work-related accident as one 'arising out of or in connection with work'. Critically, deciding whether an accident is reportable does not depend on finding blame — an accident may still be reportable even if there was no breach of health and safety law and no one was clearly at fault. (HSE — RIDDOR key definitions)
An accident is work related if any of the following played a role:
- How the work was carried out — including how it was organised, supervised or performed
- Machinery, plant, substances or equipment used in connection with the workplace or work processes
- The condition of the workplace — including the structure, fabric, floors, paving, stairs, lighting, and design
An accident taking place at work premises does not, in itself, make it work related. The work activity itself must cause the accident.
RIDDOR also draws a firm line: gradual, cumulative exposures to hazards (such as repetitive lifting over months) are not classed as 'accidents' under the regulation. An accident must be separate, identifiable and unintended, with an identifiable external incident causing the injury. (HSE — RIDDOR key definitions)
Reporting duty vs record-keeping duty: two separate obligations explained
Competitors frequently blur these into a single obligation. They are not. RIDDOR imposes two distinct duties, and understanding the split matters for compliance.
| Obligation | What it requires | Who triggers it |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting duty | Notify the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) that a reportable event has occurred | The responsible person, using the approved reporting route, within any applicable time limit |
| Record-keeping duty | Retain a record of the event internally — regardless of whether a formal report was also required | The responsible person, for all reportable events and certain other incidents |
The record-keeping duty is broader than the reporting duty. An event may require a record without requiring a formal report to the enforcing authority. Review the full regulation to confirm which duty — or both — applies to a specific event type.
Which enforcing authority receives your report: HSE or local authority?
The purpose of RIDDOR is to inform the relevant enforcing authority — which is either HSE or the local authority, depending on the workplace — so that it can respond to ensure compliance with health and safety law. (HSE — RIDDOR key definitions)
Do not assume the report always goes to HSE. The HSE website provides a tool to identify the correct enforcing authority for your workplace type. For most construction sites HSE is the enforcing authority; for retail, hospitality and office premises it is commonly the local authority. Confirm before you submit.
Worked example: is this warehouse injury reportable? (step-by-step decision flow)
Scenario: A warehouse operative fractures their wrist while manually moving stock. A registered medical practitioner confirms the fracture. The manager needs to decide whether RIDDOR applies.
Decision Gate 1 — Is the injured person a worker? Yes. The operative is employed and at work. The responsible person has potential duties under RIDDOR.
Decision Gate 2 — Was there an identifiable accident? The HSE defines a RIDDOR accident as a separate, identifiable, unintended incident that causes physical injury. A specific manual handling movement that caused the fracture meets this definition. A gradual wrist complaint from months of repetitive lifting would not.
Decision Gate 3 — Was the accident work related? Apply the HSE test: did how the work was carried out, the equipment used, or the condition of the workplace play a role? If the operative was following a normal stock-moving task as directed, the manner in which the work was organised and performed is directly relevant. This is likely to satisfy the 'arising out of or in connection with work' test — but the manager must assess the specific circumstances.
Decision Gate 4 — Does the injury meet a specified injury threshold? Regulation 4(1)(a) of RIDDOR 2013 specifies that any bone fracture diagnosed by a registered medical practitioner, other than to a finger, thumb or toe, requires the responsible person to follow the reporting procedure. A wrist fracture is not a finger, thumb or toe fracture. If the medical diagnosis confirms a wrist bone fracture, this threshold is met. (RIDDOR 2013, reg 4)
Decision Gate 5 — Which enforcing authority receives the report? Identify whether HSE or the local authority is the relevant enforcing authority for the warehouse. Submit via the approved route to the correct body.
Decision Gate 6 — What record must be retained? Regardless of the reporting route taken, the responsible person must retain a record of the event internally. Keep the medical diagnosis, the circumstances of the accident, and the report reference.
Note: This scenario is illustrative. Whether any specific incident is reportable depends on the facts as assessed by a competent person against the full text of RIDDOR 2013. This worked example does not constitute a legal determination.
RIDDOR reporting checklist (printable two-column reference)
| Reporting duty — what to send to the enforcing authority | Record-keeping duty — what to retain internally |
|---|---|
| Notification that a reportable event has occurred | Details of the event (date, time, location, persons involved) |
| Nature of the injury or occurrence | Nature of the injury or dangerous occurrence |
| Name and details of the injured person (where applicable) | Name and details of the injured person |
| Details of the responsible person / employer | Copy of any report submitted to the enforcing authority |
| Submitted via the approved HSE reporting route to the correct enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) | Medical diagnosis or confirmation (where obtained) |
| Within any applicable time limit set by the regulation — e.g. reg 4(2) requires the over-7-day incapacitation report within 15 days of the accident (RIDDOR 2013, reg 4(2)) | Retained for the period required by the regulation |
Review and adapt this checklist to your organisation, site and incident type. Confirm all applicable time limits and record-retention periods against the full text of RIDDOR 2013 SI 1471.
Frequently asked questions
What does RIDDOR stand for? The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations — a UK Statutory Instrument (SI 2013 No. 1471).
What is the purpose of RIDDOR? To inform the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) that a work-related accident or incident has occurred, so it can act to ensure compliance with health and safety law.
Who is legally required to report under RIDDOR? The 'responsible person' — typically the employer in relation to their workers, some self-employed people, and those in control of work premises where a reportable event occurred.
What types of incidents must be reported? Work-related fatalities, specified injuries to workers, reportable occupational diseases, exposure to carcinogens/mutagens/biological agents, and dangerous occurrences.
What counts as a 'work-related' accident? One arising out of or in connection with work — where how the work was carried out, equipment used, or the condition of the workplace played a role. Blame is irrelevant to the test.
Who receives a RIDDOR report — the HSE or the local authority? Either, depending on the workplace. Identify the correct enforcing authority before submitting.
What records must be kept under RIDDOR? A record of each reportable event must be retained internally. This is a separate obligation from the duty to notify the enforcing authority — and it applies even where a formal report is not required.
How do you actually submit a RIDDOR report? For fatalities, specified injuries, and dangerous occurrences, RIDDOR 2013, Schedule 1, paragraph 1 requires the responsible person to notify the relevant enforcing authority by the quickest practicable means without delay — in practice, this means by telephone before the written report is submitted. The written report, and reports for over-7-day incapacitation injuries, must be sent in an approved manner; the HSE's online reporting forms at hse.gov.uk/riddor are the standard route for this. Retain a copy of any submitted report as part of your internal records.
How long must RIDDOR records be kept? RIDDOR 2013 requires the responsible person to keep records of reportable incidents for three years from the date of the entry. This applies to all categories of reportable event, regardless of whether a formal report to the enforcing authority was also required. Retain supporting documentation — such as medical diagnoses, incident descriptions, and report references — alongside the statutory record for the same period.
How ramsdocs helps you manage RIDDOR documentation
RIDDOR compliance does not end with a phone call or online form. It requires accurate internal records, clear incident investigation notes, and — where contractors are involved — RAMS documentation that supports your health and safety management system. ramsdocs helps you produce PC review-ready method statements and risk assessments that reflect your actual site conditions and working methods, reducing the documentation rework that follows an incident investigation.
This page is designed to support understanding of RIDDOR 2013 and must be reviewed and adapted to your specific site, task and organisational context by a competent person. It does not constitute legal advice. Always verify duties against the full text of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (SI 2013 No. 1471) and current HSE guidance.
Sources Used
This guide is checked against official source material. Verify current legal duties against the live legislation and HSE guidance before relying on the content for a live project.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Managing risks and risk assessment at work (HSE)
- Planning for construction work (HSE)
Put This Guide To Work
Use the related templates, trade hubs and free tools below to turn the guidance into a site-specific RAMS workflow.