RIDDOR Policy Writers

What are RIDDOR Policies?

RIDDOR policies outline how organisations comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), ensuring that reportable incidents are properly recorded and notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

These policies help businesses fulfil their legal duty to report certain workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous events, supporting transparency, compliance and continuous improvement in health and safety.

What Do RIDDOR Policies Cover?

A RIDDOR policy typically includes:

• Definitions of what must be reported, including fatalities, major injuries and occupational diseases

• Procedures for reporting dangerous occurrences and near misses

• Roles and responsibilities for managers, employees and health and safety teams

• Timelines and methods for reporting incidents to the HSE

• Internal recording and investigation requirements

• Communication with employees, contractors and regulators

• Links to accident reporting, incident investigation and health surveillance policies

A clear policy ensures that organisations meet their statutory obligations and provide accurate information to regulators, helping to identify risks and prevent future incidents.

It also demonstrates accountability and a commitment to maintaining high safety standards, reducing the likelihood of enforcement action or reputational harm.

RIDDOR applies to all employers, regardless of sector or size. Failing to comply can result in prosecution, fines and damage to trust among staff and stakeholders.

By embedding structured reporting procedures and training into daily operations, businesses can ensure compliance, improve safety culture and use lessons learned from incidents to strengthen workplace resilience.

Legal Basis

The duty is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), enforced by HSE and local authorities.

Reportable events include deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, occupational diseases, dangerous occurrences and gas incidents. Reports to HSE must be made online via F2508 within 10 days (15 days for over-7-day injuries).

Common Compliance Pitfalls

• "Over-3-day" cases incorrectly treated as RIDDOR-reportable (the threshold has been 7 days since 2012).
• Specified injury list out of date (the 2013 list is still in force; older "major injury" terminology should not appear in policy).
• Occupational disease reporting limited to the named eight conditions; HAVS, dermatitis and asthma are common omissions.
• No documented near-miss reporting culture, despite HSE expectation of leading-indicator data.
• Reports filed but not reviewed at senior management level.

What Policy Pros Delivers

Our RIDDOR Policy package includes the main policy, a reportable-incident decision tool, the F2508 submission procedure, an internal investigation framework, a near-miss reporting form, a senior management review template, and integration with the serious-incident and safeguarding policies.