Summary
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a public consultation regarding the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Running until 30 June 2026, the consultation seeks input from businesses, employers, and healthcare practitioners on proposed updates to workplace incident reporting. Key proposals include clarifying ambiguous definitions, updating lists of reportable diseases and dangerous occurrences to reflect modern risks, and allowing a wider range of registered healthcare professionals—rather than just GMC-registered doctors—to diagnose reportable occupational diseases. Additionally, the HSE aims to simplify its online reporting forms to address issues with both under-reporting and over-reporting.
Analysis
This consultation represents a significant effort to modernise a decade-old regulatory framework. By proposing to broaden the scope of who can diagnose occupational diseases, the HSE is acknowledging the evolving nature of the UK healthcare system, where practitioners such as occupational health nurses often play a primary role. The focus on simplifying the digital interface suggests that “administrative friction” has been identified as a barrier to accurate data collection. Furthermore, reintroducing previously removed conditions and adding new ones indicates a regulatory shift towards capturing a more comprehensive picture of work-related ill health, which is essential for evidence-based policy and targeted enforcement in an evolving labour market.
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HSE launches consultation on workplace injury and illness reporting