Accident Reporting FAQs

The HSE defines an accident as a ‘separate, identifiable, unintended incident, which causes physical injury’. Under RIDDOR, the work activity itself must contribute to the accident.

Under RIDDOR, it is a legal requirement to report certain incidents to the enforcing authorities (HSE). These certain incidents and injuries can be found on the HSE’s website.

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), it is a legal requirement to report certain accidents or incidents arising out of work. Certain incidents need to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for statistical purposes and to undertake an investigation. The HSE has listed those reportable incidents.

Other reasons to report workplace accidents or incidents include:

• Identifying hazards and risks from near-misses to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
• Acts as a record if there is a legal dispute over a workplace accident.
• Allows enforcing authorities to provide advice and guidance on reducing accidents and incidents.
• Lead to an investigation and potential enforcement action.

Failing to have a reporting process in place or reporting a prescribed accident or illness can lead to a prosecution.

Accidents should only be reported to the HSE if they are classed as a ‘reportable incident’ under RIDDOR. These reportable incidents are listed here.

A report must be received within 10 days of the incident, except for accidents resulting in an over-seven-day incapacitation of a worker which must be reported within 15 days.

The reportable incidents and injuries under the RIDDOR regulations include:

• Work-related deaths
• Specified injuries to workers – these include fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs and toes), amputations, loss or reduction of sight, or internal organ damage from crush injuries. The full list of specified injuries can be found here.
• Over-seven-day incapacitation of a worker.
• Injuries to non-workers in the workplace that require hospital admittance.
• Occupational diseases – these include carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational dermatitis and hand-arm vibration syndrome.
• Dangerous occurrences – certain, specific near-miss events.
• Gas incidents.

The information required on a RIDDOR accident report includes:

• Name of the injured person
• Address of the injured person
• Job Title of the injured person
• Date the incident occurred
• Description of the incident – what caused it, injury that occurred, care to the person after the incident, vital signs after the incident.
• People who witnessed the accident
• Cause of the accident and resulting actions to eliminate / reduce the risks

Incidents must be reported to the HSE if they are classified as reportable under RIDDOR. If the incident doesn’t fall under the criteria then it does not need reporting to the HSE however management of other accidents, incidents and ill-health need to be recorded and investigated for internal purposes and in the event of civil claims.

Reports to the HSE can either be made online via telephone (0845 300 9923). Reports must only be made for reportable incidents or injuries.

Under RIDDOR, it is the employer, self-employed people or the ‘Responsible Person’ which are required to report serious workplace accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences.

You must report a workplace accident under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) within 10 days of the incident if it results in a reportable injury. For deaths or certain dangerous occurrences, reporting must be immediate.

Reporting accidents and near misses helps identify hazards, prevent future incidents, and improve workplace safety. It also ensures legal compliance and provides accurate records for investigations and risk management.

If you employ 10 or more people, you are legally required to have an accident report book to record workplace injuries. This ensures compliance with the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 and provides a record for investigations and potential claims.

However, even if you have less than 10 employees it is advisable to keep a record of accidents as evidence because some injuries are reportable under RIDDOR.

The most common cause of workplace accidents in the UK is slips, trips, and falls, which accounted for 31% of workplace accidents in 2023/24. These incidents account for a significant proportion of non-fatal injuries reported annually.

Slips, trips and falls are often due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor housekeeping.