Key definitions

Regulations 4 - 6 cover the reporting of work-related deaths and injuries other than for certain gas incidents RIDDOR requires deaths and injuries to be reported only when:

• there has been an accident which caused the injury
• the accident was work-related
• the injury is of a type which is reportable

What is an 'accident'?

In relation to RIDDOR, an accident is a separate, identifiable, unintended incident, which causes physical injury. This specifically includes acts of non-consensual violence to people at work.

Injuries themselves, eg 'feeling a sharp twinge', are not accidents. There must be an identifiable external event that causes the injury, eg a falling object striking someone. Cumulative exposures to hazards, which eventually cause injury (eg repetitive lifting), are not classed as 'accidents' under RIDDOR.

What is meant by 'work-related'?

RIDDOR only requires you to report accidents if they happen 'out of or in connection with work'. The fact that there is an accident at work premises does not, in itself, mean that the accident is work-related – the work activity itself must contribute to the accident. An accident is 'work-related' if any of the following played a significant role:

• the way the work was carried out
• any machinery, plant, substances or equipment used for the work or
• the condition of the site or premises where the accident happened

What are 'reportable' injuries?

The following injuries are reportable under RIDDOR when they result from a work-related accident:

• The death of any person (Regulation 6)
• Specified Injuries to workers (Regulation 4)
• Injuries to workers which result in their incapacitation for more than 7 days (Regulation 4)
• Injuries to non-workers which result in them being taken directly to hospital for treatment, or specified injuries to non-workers which occur on hospital premises. (Regulation 5)