Accidents at work

It is a legal requirement under the 'Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995' (RIDDOR) for certain workplace accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to be reported to the appropriate enforcing authority. 

What accidents, diseases or dangerous occurrences have to be reported?

A list of the accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences that need to be reported under RIDDOR is available.

In brief, the following are reportable:

• the death of any person as a result of an accident arising out of or in connection with work;
• someone at work who suffers a major injury as a result of an accident arising out of or in connection with work;
• someone not at work who suffers an injury as a result of an accident arising out of or in connection with a work premises/activity who goes directly from the scene to a hospital;
• a specified dangerous occurrence or disease occurs; 
• an employee who is unable to do their normal duties for more than three consecutive days as a result of an injury caused by an accident at work.

The Regulations require employers and people in control of premises to report these.

When do these have to be reported?

Reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.

Where a death or major injury occurs, notification should be made as soon as possible, with the report form following within 10 days

How are these reported?

All reports of accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences should be sent to the Incident Contact Centre (ICC) in Caerphilly. The centre is a central point for all accidents occuring in the United Kingdom.

Reports should be submitted in the prescribed format (F2508 for accidents) and should be sent by:

• telephone: 0845 300 9923 Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
• on-line: www.riddor.gov.uk
• post: Incident Contact Centre, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
• fax: 0845 300 9924
• e-mail: riddor@natbrit.com

Once the reports have been received at Caerphilly, they will then be forwarded on to the enforcing authority for the premises concerned.

What happens if they are not reported?

It is an offence if a 'reportable' accident, disease or dangerous occurrence is not reported or not reported in the stated timescale.

Further investigations may then be undertaken by the department with the potential for formal action to be taken against the responsible person/company.

What happens when an accident, disease or dangerous occurrence is reported?

It is good practice for the management of the premises to conduct an internal investigation of what happened in an attempt to prevent a similar recurrence. An investigation should identify the immediate and underlying causes of the accident. The findings of the investigation should be implemented, such as provision of training to staff, remedial works, changes in procedures etc., appropriate to the circumstances.

Authorised officers from the Food and Environmental Safety Service may visit to investigate, to determine whether any health and safety law has been broken and whether anything can be done to prevent a similar incident or accident occurring in the future.

Accident Prevention

Most accidents within the workplace are preventable and work activities need to be managed to reduce the risk. 

Accidents can result in financial loss and human suffering.

Lessons can be learnt after an accident, which can result in measures being identified and implemented so as to prevent any similar accidents arising on any future occasions.

Guidance is available on investigating accidents within the Health and Safety Executive's publication 'HSG 245 Investigating Accidents and Incidents - a workbook for employers, unions, safety representatives and safety professionals'.

Current national guidelines have identified five key areas which result in the most working days lost due to accidents and work-related ill health. These are:

• Falls from height
• Workplace Transport
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Slips and trips
• Stress

Further information on the five areas is available.

An employer should manage the risks arising out of premises or work activities, identifying what can cause harm and how the harm could be avoided. Particular attention should be given to the above areas and other activities pertinent to the business.

Complaints and enquiries

If you wish to make a complaint or enquiry online, please use this form.

Further information about the Food and Environmental Safety service and other contact details can be found on our Standards of Service page.