The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is a regulatory framework in the UK that mandates employers to report specific workplace incidents to the Health and Safety Executive. These incidents encompass work-related accidents, diseases, and hazardous occurrences.
As per the most recent data furnished by the HSE, there were 69,208 non-fatal employee injuries reported under RIDDOR during the 2019/2020 timeframe. This figure reflects a decline from the previous year’s 69,208 injuries.
The predominant categories of non-fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR in 2019/2020 were as follows:
- Slips, trips, and falls on the same level (accounting for 29% of all non-fatal injuries reported)
- Handling, lifting, or carrying (20%)
- Struck by an object (10%)
- Acts of violence (9%)
- Falls from height (8%) These five injury types constituted over 75% of all non-fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR during the 2019/2020 period.
Furthermore, in addition to non-fatal injuries, there were 111 worker fatalities reported under RIDDOR in 2019/2020, marking a decrease from the previous year’s 147 fatalities. The primary causes of fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR during this period were as follows:
- Falls from height (constituting 29% of all fatal injuries reported)
- Struck by a moving vehicle (20%)
- Struck by a moving object (18%)
- Trapped by something collapsing or overturning (8%)
- Contact with moving machinery (7%) These five causes accounted for over 80% of all fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR during the 2019/2020 period.
Additionally, RIDDOR reports included 2,446 instances of work-related diseases in 2019/2020, encompassing musculoskeletal disorders, occupational asthma, and work-related stress. UK employers have a legal duty to report specific workplace incidents under RIDDOR, including those resulting in a worker’s death, a major injury, or an injury causing an employee’s incapacity for seven or more days. Employers are also required to report certain hazardous occurrences and work-related diseases.
The HSE employs data from RIDDOR reports to discern trends and patterns in workplace incidents and to formulate strategies for enhancing workplace safety. Moreover, the HSE offers resources and guidance to assist employers in complying with RIDDOR reporting obligations and averting workplace incidents.
In conclusion, the UK’s RIDDOR-related injury statistics underscore the imperative for employers to prioritize workplace safety and adopt preventive measures. By identifying the most prevalent types of workplace injuries and the root causes of fatal incidents, employers can implement targeted measures to avert such occurrences. Adhering to RIDDOR reporting criteria and collaborating with the HSE to enhance workplace safety can contribute to establishing a safer work environment for UK employees.
