Under RIDDOR, employers and other responsible people must report certain work-related injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority. Specified injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported without delay and within 10 days. Injuries that keep a worker off normal work for more than 7 consecutive days must be reported within 15 days. You must record injuries that keep someone off for more than 3 consecutive days, and keep records for at least 3 years.
Step by step
- Decide if it is reportableDeaths, specified injuries, over-7-day injuries, certain diseases and dangerous occurrences.
- Report in timeWithout delay and within 10 days; over-7-day injuries within 15 days.
- Use the online formHSE takes most reports online.
- Record itIncluding over-3-day injuries that do not need reporting.
- Keep the recordFor at least 3 years.
| Incident | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Death or specified injury | Without delay, report received within 10 days |
| Over-7-day incapacitation | Within 15 days of the incident |
| Over-3-day incapacitation | Record only |
| Dangerous occurrence | Without delay, within 10 days |
Accident book
Employers with 10 or more people normally employed at the same premises must keep a means of recording accidents causing personal injury, in a book or electronically, under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to report an over-7-day injury?
15 days from the incident.
Do I need to record an injury that keeps someone off for 4 days?
Yes. Injuries that keep someone off routine work for more than 3 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident) must be recorded.
How long should RIDDOR records be kept?
At least 3 years.
Sources
- RIDDOR: when do I report? – HSE
- RIDDOR: reportable incidents – HSE
- RIDDOR 2013, reg. 12 – legislation.gov.uk
- Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, reg. 25 – legislation.gov.uk
Related guides
- Health & safetyHow to do a risk assessment for a small business
- Health & safetyIs PAT testing a legal requirement?
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Last checked 4 November 2026. Rules change; check the sources above.