What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. These Regulations apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. RIDDOR in Northern Ireland is slightly different.

As RIDDOR is a regulation, it is therefore a legal requirement to report and record deaths, certain types of injury, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcement agency. Enforcement agencies in England, Wales and Scotland are the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities (LAs). In Northern Ireland, the agencies are Local Authorities (LAs) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). There are also other enforcement agencies, e.g. rail (Office for Rail Regulation).

RIDDOR rules and regulations

There are certain rules and regulations regarding RIDDOR, these include keeping all records up to date, having an accident book so accidents that don’t need to be reported to RIDDOR can be recorded.

It is advised that RIDDOR records are kept for 5-6 years however the minimum they must be kept for is 3 years.

RIDDOR 2013 changes

There are certain rules and regulations regarding RIDDOR, these include keeping all records up to date, having an accident book so accidents that don’t need to be reported to RIDDOR can be recorded.

It is advised that RIDDOR records are kept for 5-6 years however the minimum they must be kept for is 3 years.

In October 2013, new RIDDOR regulations came into place, there were some changes, the list of ‘major injuries’ in RIDDOR 1995 was replaced with ‘Specified injuries’ in 2013.

The 1995 schedule that detailed 47 different types of industrial disease was replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.

There was also a change in the types of dangerous occurrences that needed to be reported, in 2013 there were less.

Who is the responsible person?

In many different workplaces RIDDOR applies, In 2013 RIDDOR was revised, now it requires a responsible person to report to the enforcement agency, as well as keeping records.

A responsible person is –

• An employer (or employee who works for the employer).
• A self-employed person.
• A person in control of a premises.
• A specified person for mines, quarries and offshore activities.

The responsible person only needs to report to the HSE when a accident or incident has occurred in relation to work. So, if something happens to a worker when they are on their way home from work. It doesn’t need to be reported under RIDDOR.

What is RIDDOR reportable?

RIDDOR reportable, deaths and injuries must have occurred – As a result of an accident to workers, self-employed and non-workers that has caused injury to them.

Or from a work-related accident that arise out of or in connection with work, the work itself must have contributed to the accident, as well as whether any plant, substance or equipment were involved. The condition of the workplace can also have an impact on whether an accident is reportable.

It is important to report any accidents and incidents as they are warnings that there are uncontrolled hazards that need identifying and eliminating to help prevent any more accidents in the future, or worse a serious accident that could cost someone their life.

What doesn’t need to be reported under RIDDOR 2013

There are certain things that don’t have to be reported under RIDDOR 2013, it is important to know what these are so that you don’t end up not making a RIDDOR report when you should have done.

• If someone dies, or is injured, as a result of receiving dental or medical treatment.
• If armed forces personnel are killed or injured whilst on duty.
• If someone dies, or is injured, in a road traffic collision. However, if someone is killed or injured whilst unloading/loading a vehicle, whilst working adjacent to the road, by a train, or by a substance escaping from a vehicle, then this is reportable under the regulations.