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TEAM Talks: Help the HSE Shape the Future of Workplace Incident Reporting

Help the HSE Shape the Future of Workplace Incident Reporting

Thursday 30th April, 2026

Illustration by TEAM Safety Services Ltd.


The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a significant, public consultation on the future of workplace injury, illness and incident reporting in Great Britain. The proposals focus on reforming the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) — a cornerstone of UK health and safety compliance.

For duty holders, responsible persons, and safety professionals, this is an important opportunity to help shape how workplace risks are identified, recorded and managed in the years ahead.

What is RIDDOR and Why Does It Matter?

RIDDOR places a legal duty on employers, the self-employed, and those in control of work premises to report certain workplace incidents, including:

  • Serious injuries
  • Occupational diseases
  • Dangerous occurrences (near misses with high-risk potential).

This reporting framework allows the HSE to identify trends, target enforcement, and ultimately prevent future harm. 

However, the system has not been significantly updated since 2013 — and the nature of work has evolved considerably since then.

 

Why is the HSE Reviewing RIDDOR?

The consultation, launched on the 7th April 2026, aims to modernise the reporting system so that it better reflects:

  • Changing working practices
  • Emerging technologies
  • Improved understanding of occupational ill health.

The HSE has acknowledged that the current framework does not fully capture modern workplace risks and can sometimes be unclear or inconsistent in application. 


Key Proposed Changes

1. Clarifying Definitions

One of the most significant proposals is to clarify key terms such as:

  • “Work-related”
  • “Injury”
  • “Routine work”

Ambiguity in these definitions has led to inconsistent reporting across industries, which can reduce the effectiveness of data collection and risk management. 

2. Expanding Who Can Diagnose Occupational Diseases

Currently, only doctors registered with and holding a license to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC) can formally diagnose reportable occupational diseases.

The HSE is proposing to extend this to a wider range of registered health professionals, reflecting modern occupational health practices and improving the likelihood of accurate reporting. 

3. Updating Reportable Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences

The consultation includes proposals to:

  • Revise and expand the list of occupational diseases
  • Update dangerous occurrence categories to reflect modern risks
  • Reintroduce previously removed conditions where appropriate.

This ensures that serious work-related ill health is properly captured and monitored. 


4. Simplifying the Reporting Process

On a practical level, the HSE is also seeking feedback on improving the usability of the online RIDDOR reporting system.

The aim is to:

  • Reduce administrative burden on businesses
  • Improve accuracy of submissions
  • Address both under-reporting and over-reporting.

These challenges have long affected the quality of incident data across industries. 



What This Means for Businesses

While no immediate legal changes have been implemented, the direction of travel is clear:

  • Greater clarity in reporting requirements
  • More inclusive diagnosis processes
  • Improved data collection and analysis
  • Potential reduction in administrative complexity.

For organisations in construction and other high-risk sectors, this could lead to more consistent reporting expectations — but also greater scrutiny of how incidents and ill health are managed.

Have Your Say

The consultation is open until 30th June 2026, and the HSE is actively encouraging input from businesses, employers, health and safety professionals, occupational health practitioners and industry stakeholders.

This is a valuable opportunity to influence future legislation and ensure it is both practical and effective. 


How TEAM Safety Services Can Help

At TEAM Safety Services, we support organisations in navigating complex health and safety legislation, including RIDDOR compliance and reporting.

Whether it’s:

  • Reviewing your incident reporting procedures
  • Providing tailored training
  • Supporting investigations and compliance

- we’re here to ensure your business stays compliant, informed, and protected.

Illustration by TEAM Safety Services Ltd.

This consultation represents the most significant review of RIDDOR in over a decade. The proposed changes aim to modernise reporting, improve clarity, and better protect workers — while reducing unnecessary burden on businesses.

Now is the time to review your current processes and consider how these potential changes could impact your organisation.



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