Public consultation on reforms to RIDDOR regime: what are the proposals?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). The consultation opened on 7 April 2026 and will close on 30 June 2026.

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR is the statutory framework requiring the reporting of certain work‑related injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences to the HSE. It applies to employers, the self‑employed and those in control of work premises. Its purpose is to ensure the HSE are alerted to the most serious workplace risks, enabling them to identify trends, target regulatory and enforcement activity, and inform preventative strategies designed to reduce future harm.

The consultation represents the most significant review of RIDDOR in over a decade and forms part of the HSE’s wider programme to modernise the UK health and safety regulatory framework. Since the last major overhaul of the RIDDOR regime, in 2013, working practices - and therefore workplace risks - have evolved significantly. Emerging sectors and new technologies have changed the way work we work and a greater understanding of occupational ill health has developed.

The current RIDDOR framework has not kept pace with this changing landscape and the proposals which form part of the consultation signal a clear intention to resolve this disconnect. The consultation indicates a clear focus to bring the RIDDOR regime in line with current working practices and the HSE’s regulatory priorities.

What are the proposals?

The HSE is seeking views on both legislative and non‑legislative changes to RIDDOR.

Legislative proposals

Occupational Ill-health

A central focus of the consultation is on whether the current reporting requirements regarding occupational ill-health remain fit for purpose. With the current regime requiring the reporting of 6 occupational diseases (such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Occupational Asthma), the consultation seeks views on the inclusion of an additional 13 conditions.

These include various lung conditions which have historically arisen from workplace exposure, including those linked to asbestos and silica exposure. This signals a clear intention on the part of the HSE to continue to target interventions in industries where these conditions remain prevalent. “New” diseases are also being proposed for inclusion to address emerging risks in the modern workplace, such as exposure to chemicals in food colourings.

In addition, the HSE are proposing to include noise induced hearing loss in the list of reportable conditions, reinforcing the HSE’s recent drive in this area.

The proposed expansion of the reportable conditions reflects the HSE’s current priority of reducing work -related ill health. That said, given that the HSE’s work in this area has in large part focussed on improving work-related stress, it is notable that work-related stress and suicide have been specifically excluded from the proposals. Instead, the HSE has indicated it will continue to monitor work-related stress through ‘other regulatory and policy tools’ – proactive inspection being one of the most common.

The reason given by the HSE for the exclusion of this condition from the proposals is the ongoing difficulty in defining work-related stress in a consistent and reliable way for reporting purposes. Whilst that may be a fair observation, it raises wider questions on the HSE’s ability to identify trends and enforce in this area more generally.

Aside from expanding the number of reportable conditions, the HSE is also proposing to expand who can formally diagnose a reportable occupational disease. At present, a diagnosis must be made by a doctor registered with and holding a licence to practise from the General Medical Council. The proposal would allow diagnoses by other registered health practitioners, such as registered nurses and physiotherapists. This would reflect modern occupational health practice and the wider range of professionals involved in managing work‑related illness.

Dangerous occurrences

The HSE is also consulting on revisions to the list of reportable dangerous occurrences which have the potential to result in injury or death. The current list of reportable dangerous occurrences is largely focused on traditional high-risk sectors such as offshore oil and gas installations, mines and quarries. Since RIDDOR first came into force in 1986, the ways in which many industries operate have changed. HSE proposes to revise the list of dangerous occurrences to better reflect modern workplace risks and technologies.

This includes proposals to expand the scope of reportable dangerous occurrences to cover incidents involving construction plant overturning or falling objects (where these could cause death) and the uncoiling and projection of material such as concrete pump hose whips.

Definitions

More generally, the HSE is consulting on proposals to clarify certain definitions within the Regulations where terms such as “work‑related”, “injury” and “routine work” have been identified as unclear or open to differing interpretation. According to the HSE, this ambiguity has resulted in both over and under-reporting under RIDDOR, both of which represent a significant challenge to the HSE in carrying out its regulatory activities.

The HSE propose to provide further clarification and associated guidance to address these ambiguities with a view to improving the accuracy of the data reported.

Non‑legislative proposals – online reporting process

Alongside potential legislative changes, a key proposal is the simplification of the online RIDDOR reporting process, including the reporting form itself. The HSE has identified that improved usability and clearer prompts could improve consistency and data quality while reducing unnecessary administrative burden on duty holders.

Who should engage with the consultation?

The consultation is relevant across all sectors and industries. It will be of particular interest to employers, the self‑employed, those in control of work premises, and healthcare professionals involved in diagnosing and managing work‑related conditions.

Responses can be submitted via an online survey, by email or on paper, with further details available on the HSE’s consultation website here: https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/.

The consultation will close on 30 June 2026.

What is next?

Following the consultation, any major updates to the RIDDOR regime will require legislative change and are likely to take effect from 2028. Brodies Health and Safety team will monitor the outcome of the consultation and provide further updates when they become available.

In the meantime, organisations should ensure that internal systems for identifying and escalating incidents and work related ill‑health are robust, responsibility for RIDDOR decisions is clearly allocated, and reporting decisions are carefully documented.

If you would like to discuss the RIDDOR consultation or any other aspect of Health and Safety, please get in touch with Brodies’ Health and Safety team or your usual Brodies contact.