The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new consultation on proposed changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), signalling a potential shift in how workplace incidents are reported across Great Britain.
This consultation forms part of HSE’s wider commitment to ensuring that health and safety legislation remains effective, proportionate, and fit for modern working environments.
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is a key piece of UK health and safety legislation that requires employers and those in control of work premises to report and keep records of:
- Work-related fatalities
- Certain serious injuries
- Diagnosed occupational diseases
- Dangerous occurrences (near misses with the potential to cause harm)
The reporting of these incidents allows regulators to monitor trends, identify risks, and take action to prevent future harm.
Why is RIDDOR Being Reviewed?
The current consultation aims to simplify and clarify reporting requirements, making it easier for businesses to comply while maintaining strong protections for workers and the public.
Historically, RIDDOR has already undergone simplification—most notably in 2013, when changes reduced complexity by:
- Replacing “major injuries” with a clearer list of “specified injuries”
- Streamlining the number of reportable occupational diseases
- Reducing the number of reportable dangerous occurrences
The latest consultation builds on this approach, focusing on ensuring the regulations remain relevant and proportionate in today’s working landscape.
Key Areas of Focus
While full details are outlined in the consultation document, the proposals broadly centre on:
1. Simplifying Reporting Requirements
HSE is seeking to remove ambiguity in how incidents are defined and reported, helping duty holders better understand their obligations.
2. Improving Clarity for Duty Holders
Clearer guidance is expected to reduce confusion around what is and is not reportable, particularly in more complex or borderline cases.
3. Ensuring Proportionate Regulation
The consultation reflects a wider regulatory objective: maintaining high safety standards without placing unnecessary administrative burdens on businesses.
4. Supporting Better Data Collection
Accurate and consistent reporting is essential. RIDDOR data informs national statistics and policy decisions—such as identifying trends in workplace fatalities and injuries. For example, 124 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2024/25, based on RIDDOR reporting .
What This Means for Employers
For employers and duty holders, the consultation represents an opportunity to shape future reporting requirements.
If implemented, the proposed changes could:
- Make reporting processes more straightforward
- Reduce administrative complexity
- Provide clearer thresholds for reportable incidents
- Improve confidence in compliance
However, it is important to note that the intention is not to dilute health and safety protections, but to ensure the system remains effective and targeted.
Have Your Say
HSE is encouraging businesses, safety professionals, and other stakeholders to take part in the consultation process.
Engaging with the consultation is a valuable opportunity to:
- Highlight practical challenges in current reporting processes
- Influence how future regulations are shaped
- Ensure that any changes work effectively in real-world settings
Final Thoughts
RIDDOR remains a cornerstone of workplace health and safety in the UK. This consultation highlights HSE’s ongoing commitment to keeping the regulatory framework up to date, balanced, and practical.
Organisations should review the proposals carefully and consider how potential changes may impact their current reporting procedures.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2026). Proposals for changes to RIDDOR 2013. Available at: https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/ (Accessed: 8 April 2026).
