HSE launches consultation on workplace injury and illness reporting

Britain’s workplace safety regulator has opened a public consultation on modernising how work-related injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents are reported across Great Britain.

The Health and Safety Executive is seeking views on proposed changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, known as RIDDOR. The consultation, launched on 7 April, aims both to strengthen worker protections and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on businesses.

Key legislative proposals include clarifying ambiguous definitions within the regulations, such as the terms “work-related”, “injury” and “routine work”. HSE also wants to revise the list of reportable occupational diseases, reintroducing conditions previously removed and adding new ones to ensure serious work-related ill health is properly captured.

The regulator is proposing to broaden who can formally diagnose a reportable occupational disease. Currently, only doctors registered with the General Medical Council can do so. HSE wants to extend this to other registered health practitioners, reflecting the wider range of professionals now involved in occupational health.

Another proposal would update the list of dangerous occurrences to better reflect modern workplace risks.

On the non-legislative side, HSE is seeking views on simplifying the online RIDDOR reporting form to tackle the long-standing challenges of both under-reporting and over-reporting.

The consultation is relevant to all sectors and industries, including duty holders, self-employed people, health practitioners and those in control of work premises.

Rachael Radway, Deputy Director of Regulation at the Health and Safety Executive, said: ‘RIDDOR reporting is central to how we identify emerging risk, target regulatory activity and contribute to the evidence base for workplace health and safety. This consultation allows those who will be affected by the changes to have their say as we look to improve standards and reduce the burden on business.

‘The consultation is relevant across all sectors and industries. Duty holders, self-employed workers and those in control of work premises are particularly encouraged to respond. We are also encouraging healthcare practitioners involved in diagnosing and managing work-related conditions to engage as the proposed changes may impact their ways of working in the future.’

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