When Should My Employer Report an Accident to The Health & Safety Executive?

Why do accidents need to be reported?

To make accidents less common in the workplace it is important to know exactly how they occur. Through this reporting, it can be identified whether the risks which arise in the work place need to be investigated. Once investigated, the HSE can advise the employers on how to avoid any further work-related accidents.
RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) is the relevant legislation which requires employers to report accidents that have caused injury or illness. Failure to report an accident under RIDDOR is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution.
A report must be received within 10 days of the accident. If an employee is absent from work for more than 7 days then the accident must be reported within 15 days. If the employee is absent for less than 7 days but more than 3 consecutive days then the employer is only required to record the accident in an accident book entry.

Not all accidents are reportable under RIDDOR.

The accident must be work-related and the injury must be reportable.

Reportable Injuries

•Fractures, not including those to fingers, thumbs and toes
•Amputations
•An injury which is likely to cause permanent loss or reduction of sight
•Crush injuries to the head or torso which cause damage to the brain or internal organs
•Serious burns which cover more than 10% of the body or cause damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs
•Scalpings requiring hospital treatment 
•Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
•Injuries which lead to hypothermia or heat-induced illness, or which require resuscitation or hospital admittance for more than 24 hours by working in an enclosed space
•Injuries where an employee is absent from work for more than 7 days
•A death of an employee arising from a work-related accident, not including suicide
The employer also has a duty to report if a member of public has been injured on their premises and was taken straight to hospital from the scene of the accident for treatment.

Other reportable work-related incidents include:

Occupational illnesses and diseases – the employee must have been diagnosed with the illness or disease which was likely to have been caused or aggravated by their work. Diseases included are listed in regulations 8 and 9. Cases involving occupational illnesses and diseases are reportable as soon as the employer receives confirmation of the diagnosis.

Dangerous occurrences or near-miss events – examples include failure of lifting equipment and collapse of scaffolding.

Gas incidents – where someone has died, lost consciousness or required hospital treatment.

Further detailed guidance can be found on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/riddor

If you were involved in an accident at work and would like to speak to our personal injury and industrial disease specialist then give us a call on our Freephone on 0800 011 6666 or email us at legal@timms-law.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 


Natasha Layton
May 2018