Health and Safety Executive consults on RIDDOR
- Julie North
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a public consultation on proposals to reform the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), which require employers, the self-employed and those in control of workplaces to report certain work-related injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the HSE.
This reporting supports the HSE to monitor for serious incidents, identify trends to inform their strategy and to carry out enforcement activity.
In a press release, the HSE said ‘The consultation marks a significant opportunity to update regulations that underpin how work-related injuries, ill health and dangerous occurrences are reported to the regulator. The proposals are designed both to strengthen protections for workers and to cut unnecessary administrative burden on businesses.’
The consultation is seeking views on proposed legislative and non-legislative changes. Broadly, the reforms could mean that more incidents will require reporting to the HSE, more occupational diseases will be reportable and the range of healthcare professionals able to diagnose an occupational disease will be widened.
The consultation proposes to expand the list of dangerous occurrences that require reporting to include four new categories, including dropping objects (unintentional fall or dropping of any object from a building or structure under demolition or construction which could cause a specified injury to, or the death of, any person), to capture falling objects not associated with failed lifting equipment and, overturning of construction plant (includes the overturn of any excavator, mobile plant, drill rig or pilling rig which could cause a specified injury to, or the death of, any person).
Currently, there are six occupational diseases that require reporting. The HSE is proposing to reintroduce nine occupational diseases that were previously removed, including pneumoconiosis and asbestosis and four new diseases, including noise induced hearing loss and occupational allergic rhinitis.
The range of healthcare professionals being able to diagnose an occupational disease is proposed to be expanded to include other registered health practitioners, such as nurses and physiotherapists to accommodate the range of professionals involved in occupational health.
Additionally, the consultation proposes to clarify terms used in RIDDOR (such as ‘work-related’) which are considered to be unclear and open to interpretation, resulting in both over and under reporting.
The non-legislative proposal is to improve the RIDDOR reporting process by simplifying the online form to reduce under and over reporting and improve overall usability.
The consultation will close on 30 June 2026. When the consultation has closed, HSE will consider the views expressed to decide how best to take the proposals forward. A summary of HSE’s response will be published on the HSE consultation webpage.
Post consultation legislative changes can take time to implement. Changes taken forward are not likely to come into effect for at least 12-18 months.
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