RIDDOR Reporting – COVID-19 – Advice for Employers

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued specific advice on RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) reporting in relation to COVID-19.

A RIDDOR report must be submitted in the following circumstances:

1. An unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus.

This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.

Dangerous occurrences are reportable under Regulation 7 of RIDDOR. In the context of Covid-19, a dangerous occurrence would be where an incident at work results in (or could result in) the release or escape of coronavirus

2. A worker has been diagnosed as having COVID 19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work.

This must be reported as a case of disease.

Occupational exposure to a biological agent is reportable as a case of disease under Regulation 9(b) of RIDDOR. Where there is reasonable evidence that someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 was exposed as a result of their work, this must be reported to the HSE as an exposure to a biological agent.

3. A worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus.

In the event of a death arising from work-related exposure to coronavirus (and this is confirmed in writing as the likely cause of death by a registered medical practitioner), this must be reported to the HSE as a death due to exposure to a biological agent under Regulation 6(2) of RIDDOR. Work related fatalities must be report to the HSE by the quickest practicable means and without delay. A RIDDOR report must be sent to HSE within 10 days of the incident.

A RIDDOR report can be made online here.