RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, which is a set of regulations in the United Kingdom that requires employers, self-employed individuals, and people in control of non-domestic premises to report specified workplace incidents. The purpose of RIDDOR is to prevent and reduce accidents, injuries, and ill health in the workplace.
Under RIDDOR, employers and other duty-holders are required to notify the relevant enforcing authority (Health and Safety Executive or Local Authority) when certain specified incidents occur. These incidents include work-related accidents that result in death, major injuries, over-seven-day incapacitation (where the worker is unable to work for more than seven days), and certain dangerous occurrences such as explosions, electrical incidents, and collapses.
In addition, RIDDOR also requires the reporting of work-related diseases, including cases of certain occupational cancers, work-related asthma, and diseases caused by exposure to certain hazardous substances. The regulations also cover any incidents where a member of the public is killed or taken to the hospital as a result of a work-related accident.
The reporting process involves the completion of an official form, either online or by phone. The form collects information about the incident, including details of the injured person, the circumstances of the incident, and any relevant information about the workplace. Employers are also required to keep a record of all reportable incidents in an accident book or other suitable means.
RIDDOR is an important tool in helping to identify and address workplace hazards, as well as to collect data on different types of accidents and occupational diseases. This information is used by enforcing authorities to target their resources and develop regulations and guidance to improve workplace safety and health standards.
Failure to comply with RIDDOR can result in enforcement action, including fines and penalties. It is essential for employers and duty-holders to understand their legal obligations under RIDDOR and take appropriate action to report and investigate incidents that meet the reporting criteria.