RIDDOR Reporting Guide for Construction 2026

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers, the self-employed, and people in control of work premises to report certain workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

In construction, where the injury and fatality rates are higher than in most other industries, RIDDOR reporting is particularly important. The data collected helps the HSE identify trends, target inspections, and drive improvements across the sector.

Failing to report a RIDDOR-qualifying incident is a criminal offence. Yet many small contractors are unsure what needs reporting and how.

What must be reported?

Deaths

All deaths of workers or non-workers (such as members of the public) arising from a work-related accident must be reported immediately. This includes deaths that occur within one year of the original accident.

Specified injuries to workers

The following injuries to employees or self-employed workers must be reported:

• Fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs, and toes)
• Amputations
• Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
• Any crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
• Serious burns covering more than 10% of the body, or damaging the eyes, respiratory system, or other vital organs
• Any scalping requiring hospital treatment
• Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
• Any injury arising from working in an enclosed space that leads to hypothermia, heat illness, or requires resuscitation or hospital admission for more than 24 hours

Over-7-day incapacitation

If a worker is incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident), you must report it. "Incapacitated" means they cannot do their normal work. The seven days include weekends and rest days, not just working days.

Non-fatal injuries to non-workers

If a member of the public or someone who is not at work is taken directly to hospital for treatment as a result of a work-related accident, this is reportable. For example, if a scaffold board falls and injures a pedestrian, you must report it.

Occupational diseases

Certain occupational diseases linked to construction work must be reported when a doctor confirms the diagnosis and the worker's job involves a relevant activity:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (from regular use of vibrating tools)
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
• Occupational dermatitis (from exposure to certain substances)
• Occupational asthma (from exposure to specified sensitisers)
• Tendonitis or tenosynovitis (from repetitive movements)
• Occupational cancer (from exposure to known carcinogens, including asbestos)

Dangerous occurrences

Even if nobody is injured, certain "near-miss" events must be reported because they had the potential to cause serious harm:

• Collapse, overturning, or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts, cranes, or scaffolding
• Accidental release of any substance that could cause injury
• Electrical short-circuit or overload attended by fire or explosion
• Collapse or partial collapse of any scaffold over 5 metres in height
• Unintentional collapse or partial collapse of any building or structure under construction
• Any unintentional fire or explosion that results in the stoppage of normal work for more than 24 hours
• The accidental release or escape of any substance that might damage health

How to report

All RIDDOR reports should be submitted online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor. The online form is the preferred method and is available 24 hours a day.

For fatal and specified injuries, you must also notify the HSE by telephone immediately: call 0345 300 9923 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm). Outside these hours, contact the duty officer for fatalities only.

You will receive a copy of your report by email. Keep this for your records.

Reporting deadlines

Common RIDDOR mistakes in construction

1. Not realising the incident is reportable

Many contractors assume RIDDOR only covers major accidents. In reality, a worker who sprains an ankle badly enough to miss eight consecutive days of work triggers a report. If in doubt, report it. There is no penalty for reporting something that turns out not to be RIDDOR-qualifying, but there can be serious consequences for failing to report.

2. Confusing the 7-day rule

The seven days of incapacitation start the day after the accident, not the day of the accident. And they include weekends, bank holidays, and rest days. A worker injured on a Monday who cannot work until the following Wednesday (nine calendar days later, minus the day of the accident) crosses the threshold.

3. Reporting to the wrong body

Most construction incidents go to the HSE. However, if the incident occurs on local-authority-enforced premises (rare for construction, but possible for maintenance work in shops, offices, or warehouses), it should be reported to the local authority instead.

4. Not keeping records

You must keep a record of any RIDDOR report for at least three years. This includes the date and method of reporting, the details of the injured person, a description of the incident, and the report reference number.

5. Delayed reporting

The deadlines exist for a reason. The HSE may investigate promptly after receiving a report, and evidence can be lost if reporting is delayed. If you discover a reportable incident late (for example, a worker does not tell you about an injury for several days), report it as soon as you become aware.

What to do when an accident happens on site

Follow this sequence:

Make the area safe: prevent further injuries. Cordon off the area if necessary.

Provide first aid: treat the injured person or call emergency services.

Preserve the scene: do not disturb the accident scene unless you need to for rescue purposes. Take photos.

Record the details: note what happened, who was involved, who witnessed it, and the conditions at the time. Record this in your accident book.

Assess whether it is RIDDOR-reportable: use the categories above. If in doubt, report it.

Report to the HSE: phone immediately for deaths and specified injuries, then follow up online. For other incidents, report online within the deadline.

Investigate: carry out your own investigation to understand what went wrong and prevent it happening again. Update your risk assessments and method statements.

Notify your insurer: contact your public liability and employers' liability insurer as soon as possible.

Tracking incidents and compliance

Keeping on top of incident reporting, accident records, and follow-up actions can be challenging, especially when you are managing multiple sites. ScopeKit's compliance features help you:

• Log incidents on site from your phone
• Track the RIDDOR reporting status and deadlines
• Store accident book records digitally
• Set follow-up reminders for investigations and corrective actions
• Maintain a full audit trail for HSE inspections

Pair this with CDM compliance tracking and you have a complete health and safety system that works on site, not just in the office.

Book a 15-min demo and keep your reporting obligations under control.