THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a consultation on plans to overhaul the reporting of injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences regulations (RIDDOR).
HSE explained that the consultation marks a ‘significant’ opportunity to update regulations that underpin how work-related injuries, ill health, and dangerous occurrences are reported – with the proposals aimed to strengthen protections for workers and to cut unnecessary administrative burdens on businesses.
The proposals include reviewing the list of reportable dangerous occurrences to ensure that all necessary dangerous incidents are captured in order to minimise the risk of serious events not being brought to HSE’s attention.
This includes recording incidents of falling objects not associated with failed lifting equipment. Acknowledging this has potential to generate large numbers of reports, HSE proposes qualifying the provision with ‘could cause the death of a person’.
The overturning of construction plant would also be required to be reported – this includes any excavator, mobile plant, drill rig, or pilling rig which could cause a specified injury to, or the death, of a person.
Existing regulation around structural collapses would also be amended to clarify that it includes the collapse of any roof, ceiling, temporary works, and trench collapses.
HSE is also proposing to revise the list of reportable occupational diseases – reintroducing some conditions previously removed from the list and adding new ones to ensure serious instances of work-related ill health are properly captured.
A further proposal from the regulator would broaden who could formally diagnose a reportable occupational disease. Currently, diagnosis must be made by a doctor registered with and holding a licence to practise with the general medical council. HSE is proposing to extend this to other registered health practitioners, reflecting the wider range of professionals involved in occupational health.
On the non-legislative side, HSE is seeking views on simplifying the online RIDDOR reporting form to improve usability and tackle both under-reporting and over-reporting — a longstanding challenge for the regulator and for businesses alike.
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.”
The consultation closes on 30 June 2026 and can be accessed here.
