18th May 2026
HSE Launches Consultation on Major RIDDOR Reporting Changes – What Businesses Need to Know
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a significant public consultation on proposed reforms to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) - changes that could have a major impact on how businesses report workplace incidents and occupational ill health across the UK.
For businesses operating in construction, property, facilities management and other higher-risk sectors, this is an important development that could affect internal reporting procedures, compliance responsibilities and health & safety management processes going forward. (press.hse.gov.uk)
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is the legal framework requiring employers, self-employed people and those in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences to the HSE.
The proposed reforms aim to modernise the system, improve clarity and reduce both under-reporting and over-reporting - an issue the HSE has identified as a longstanding challenge.
Key Proposed Changes
The consultation includes proposals for both legislative and non-legislative updates, including:
- Clarifying definitions such as “work-related”, “injury” and “routine work”
- Updating the list of dangerous occurrences to better reflect modern workplace risks
- Expanding the list of reportable occupational diseases
- Allowing a wider range of registered healthcare professionals to diagnose reportable occupational diseases
- Simplifying the online reporting process to improve usability and reporting accuracy
Some industry commentary has highlighted that the proposals could particularly affect the construction sector, where reporting requirements around structural failures, falling objects and occupational illness may become broader and more clearly defined.
Why This Matters to Businesses
For many organisations, RIDDOR can already be a complex area of compliance, especially where there is uncertainty around whether an incident is reportable.
The proposed reforms are intended to improve consistency and give businesses clearer guidance, but they may also increase scrutiny around workplace health risks and reporting practices.
Businesses should consider:
- Reviewing existing incident reporting procedures
- Ensuring managers understand current RIDDOR thresholds
- Assessing occupational health reporting processes
- Checking contractor and supply chain reporting responsibilities
- Monitoring consultation outcomes ahead of any legislative changes
HSE Consultation Open Until 30 June 2026
The consultation is now open and the HSE is encouraging businesses, duty holders and health & safety professionals across all sectors to contribute feedback.
Further information can be found directly via the HSE:
At Beaconrisk, we will continue monitoring the consultation and any future changes that may affect contractor accreditation, compliance and health & safety obligations across the industries we support.
For any further H&S enquiries please contact us.
