Proposed RIDDOR Changes 2026: What the HSE Consultation Means for UK Businesses
Written by Sam Neal, Managing Director, Orchard Safety. Reviewed for accuracy on 22 September 2026
The Health and Safety Executive has consulted on potential changes to workplace injury and illness reporting, including RIDDOR. The proposals are intended to make reporting clearer, more relevant and easier to use.
The Short Answer
Has RIDDOR changed?
No. The current RIDDOR reporting requirements remain in place (as of 22 September 2026)
The HSE consultation considers potential changes, but businesses should continue following their existing reporting duties unless amended regulations are formally introduced.
The changes include clearer definitions, possible updates to reportable dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases, wider recognition of qualified health professionals and improvements to the online reporting process.
Do employers need to change their reporting procedures?
Not at this stage.
Employers should continue using their current procedures and assess incidents against the existing RIDDOR requirements. It is sensible to review those procedures regularly, particularly if managers are unclear about who is responsible for deciding whether an incident must be reported.
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
The regulations require responsible people to report certain work-related injuries, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences.
A reportable dangerous occurrence is a specified incident that meets the relevant RIDDOR criteria. It may need to be reported even when nobody has been injured.
Reporting provides the HSE with information that can be used to identify patterns, focus resources and support improvements in workplace safety.
Why is the HSE considering changes to RIDDOR?
RIDDOR has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. During that time, workplaces, technology and awareness of occupational health have developed, while many of the reporting requirements have stayed the same.
The HSE believes that some of the current terminology can be confusing. This may contribute to businesses reporting incidents that do not need to be reported, while other reportable incidents may be missed.
Clearer requirements could help businesses make more consistent decisions and improve the quality of the information received by the regulator.
Could the meaning of “work-related” become clearer?
Yes. One of the proposals is to provide clearer definitions for terms including“work-related” and“injury”.
These definitions affect how businesses decide whether an incident falls within RIDDOR. Clearer wording could reduce uncertainty when the connection between an incident and the work activity is not immediately obvious.
Could the list of dangerous occurrences change?
The HSE has considered updating the list of reportable dangerous occurrences so that it better reflects modern workplace risks.
For now, businesses must continue using the existing list and current reporting criteria.
Could occupational disease reporting change?
The proposals include possible changes to the categories of occupational disease that may need to be reported.
Occupational diseases are health conditions linked to a person’s work or workplace exposure. Employers should continue assessing these cases against the current rules unless new requirements are formally introduced.
Could more health professionals support a reportable diagnosis?
The consultation considers allowing a wider range of qualified health professionals, rather than doctors alone, to diagnose certain reportable occupational diseases.
If introduced, this could affect how employers receive and respond to information about work-related ill health.
Could the online RIDDOR reporting process become simpler?
Improvements to the online reporting process are also being considered, with the aim of making it more user-friendly.
No changes have been confirmed, so employers should continue using the current reporting arrangements.
What do the proposed RIDDOR changes 2026 mean for employers?
For now, the practical answer is: continue doing what you are required to do under the current regulations.
If changes are introduced later, businesses could benefit from:
clearer reporting criteria;
fewer uncertain cases;
more consistent decisions;
reporting categories that better reflect current workplace risks; and
a more straightforward online process.
The potential benefits are based on the areas covered by the consultation. The final position will depend on whether formal amendments are introduced.
What should employers do now?
Employers do not need to rewrite their procedures solely because a consultation has taken place. However, this is a useful opportunity to check that existing arrangements are working.
1. Continue following the current RIDDOR rules
Do not apply the proposed changes as though they are already law. Assess incidents using the current requirements.
2. Check who is responsible for reporting
Make sure relevant managers know who is responsible for reviewing incidents, making reporting decisions and submitting any required report.
3. Review your internal incident process
Check that employees know how to raise an incident or concern and that the information reaches the appropriate person.
4. Keep clear records
Record the facts of an incident, the reporting decision and the reason for that decision. Clear records may be helpful if questions arise later.
5. Check the official HSE guidance
Consult the current HSE guidance before making a reporting decision, particularly if the circumstances do not fit neatly into an obvious category.
6. Ask for advice when the answer is unclear
If you are uncertain whether an incident meets the reporting criteria, seek competent health and safety advice. A short conversation can help prevent unnecessary reporting or a reportable incident being missed.
Why accurate RIDDOR reporting matters
RIDDOR reporting is not simply an administrative task.
The information collected helps regulators identify trends, direct resources and understand where workplace safety concerns may be developing. Better reporting data can support better decisions and improvements across different sectors.
Businesses also need to avoid treating every incident as automatically reportable. Good health and safety management means understanding the criteria, recording the facts and making a reasoned decision.
Our view...
We're encouraged by the focus on simplification and clarity. Good health and safety management should be practical, proportionate and easy to understand. We'll be monitoring developments closely and will keep you updated on any changes that may affect their reporting responsibilities.
In the meantime, if you're ever unsure whether an incident is reportable, get in touch. We'd much rather answer a quick question today than help navigate a compliance issue tomorrow
Frequently asked questions about the proposed RIDDOR changes
Is RIDDOR changing in 2026?
The HSE has consulted on potential changes, but the supplied material does not confirm that amended regulations have taken effect. Employers should continue following the current RIDDOR requirements unless official guidance confirms otherwise.
Are the HSE consultation proposals already law?
No. A consultation considers potential changes. The current requirements remain in place until any amendments are formally introduced.
Do businesses need to change their RIDDOR policy now?
There is no need to change a policy simply to apply proposals that have not been introduced. Businesses can still use the consultation as a prompt to check that their current procedures and responsibilities are clear.
What does “work-related” mean under RIDDOR?
Whether an incident is work-related depends on the applicable RIDDOR criteria and its connection to the work activity. The consultation has considered clearer definitions around terms such as “work-related” and “injury”.
Businesses must continue using the current HSE guidance when making reporting decisions.
What is a dangerous occurrence?
A dangerous occurrence is a specified workplace incident covered by RIDDOR. Some dangerous occurrences may be reportable even when no injury has happened.
The HSE has considered updating the list to reflect modern workplace risks, but the existing list continues to apply unless a change is formally introduced.
Who is responsible for making a RIDDOR report?
The answer depends on the circumstances and who holds responsibility under the regulations. Businesses should check the current HSE guidance rather than assuming that the injured person or their line manager is automatically responsible.
What should I do if I am unsure whether an incident is reportable?
Record the facts, review the current HSE criteria and seek competent advice if the answer remains unclear. Do not base the decision on the consultation proposals because they have not replaced the current requirements.
