The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consultation on proposed reforms to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) closes on 30 June 2026. Should you engage?

Published: 15 June 2026
Authors: Nancy Wesby

On 7 April 2026, the HSE launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to the RIDDOR, marking the most significant review of the regime in over a decade. The consultation, which closes on 30 June 2026, represents more than a technical update, it signals a fundamental shift in how workplace incidents will be captured, reported and scrutinised.

The proposals reflect a growing recognition that the current framework is not operating effectively in modern workplaces. Longstanding issues around unclear definitions, inconsistent interpretation, and both under and over reporting have limited the quality of data available to the regulator and, in turn, its ability to target enforcement activity. Against that backdrop, the HSE is seeking to modernise RIDDOR to deliver a more data-driven, transparent and efficient reporting regime.

What are the proposed reforms?

The consultation covers a combination of legislative and non-legislative changes designed to strengthen worker protections while reducing unnecessary administrative burden.

Legislative reforms

Key legislative proposals include:

• Clarification of core definitions - The HSE proposes to clarify key concepts such as “work-related” and “injury”, where current ambiguity has led to inconsistency in reporting. While greater clarity should improve consistency, it may also reduce the flexibility businesses have historically relied upon in borderline cases.
• Expansion of reportable occupational diseases - The list of reportable diseases will be updated to reintroduce certain previously removed conditions and include new ones. This reflects an increased focus on long-term exposure risks, including those linked to hazardous substances such as silica dust (e.g. pneumoconiosis and silicosis). As a result, businesses in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and maintenance are likely to see heightened scrutiny of occupational health risks.
• Broadening who can diagnose occupational diseases - Currently, only doctors registered with the General Medical Council can confirm reportable occupational diseases. The HSE proposes extending this to other healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and occupational health practitioners. This is intended to reduce delays and better reflect modern occupational health practices but is likely to accelerate identification and increase the volume of reportable cases.
• Revision of ‘dangerous occurrences’ - The list of reportable dangerous occurrences will be updated to better reflect modern workplace risks. This is expected to bring a wider range of near-miss events within scope, meaning incidents previously managed internally may now require formal reporting.

Non-legislative reforms

In parallel, the HSE is exploring changes to improve the overall reporting framework, including:

• clearer and more accessible guidance;
• streamlined reporting processes; and
• improvements to the usability of reporting systems.

While these changes are aimed at reducing administrative friction, they will operate alongside an expanded reporting regime, meaning the overall compliance burden may still increase.

What does this mean in practice?

Taken together, the proposals point towards a significant recalibration of the RIDDOR regime, with several key implications:

• Increased reporting volumes - A broader range of occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences, combined with faster diagnosis, is likely to result in more reportable incidents.
• Greater regulatory visibility and scrutiny - Enhanced and more timely data will give the HSE greater insight into operational risks, supporting a more targeted and intervention-led approach to enforcement.
• Reduced discretion in borderline cases - Clarified definitions may limit the scope for subjective interpretation, reducing flexibility but improving consistency.
• Heightened exposure to enforcement and claims - Increased reporting may lead to more regulatory intervention and, in some cases, downstream civil or insurance implications.

Notably, mental health remains outside the scope of the proposed reforms. Work-related stress is not currently reportable under RIDDOR and the consultation does not propose to change this position, although the HSE continues to focus on the management of stress-related risks more broadly.

Why this consultation matters

This consultation is a rare opportunity for businesses to influence the future shape of workplace incident reporting and the extent of their regulatory exposure.

Engaging with the consultation allows organisations to:

• influence how key concepts such as “work-related” are defined in practice;
• ensure that expanded reporting categories are proportionate and workable;
• highlight operational and resourcing challenges; and
• mitigate unintended consequences, such as over-reporting or disproportionate administrative burden.

Absent engagement, there is a real risk that revised definitions and expanded obligations are implemented in a way that increases regulatory exposure without reflecting operational realities.

Key considerations for businesses

Businesses should start preparing now for the likely direction of travel. In particular:

• Review internal reporting procedures - Ensure escalation processes are robust and capable of capturing incidents that may fall within an expanded RIDDOR scope.
• Engage with occupational health providers - Understand how diagnoses are made and communicated, particularly in light of a broader pool of professionals being able to confirm reportable diseases.
• Reassess historical assumptions - Revisit areas of previous ambiguity (e.g. borderline dangerous occurrences or suspected occupational diseases) in light of proposed clarifications.
• Prepare for increased regulatory visibility - More frequent and detailed reporting is likely to inform targeted HSE enforcement activity.
• Train key personnel - Health and safety teams, HR, and line managers should be updated on any revised thresholds and categories to ensure consistency and reduce the risk of under-reporting.
• Consider submitting a consultation response - Businesses with significant exposure to occupational health risks or high volumes of reportable incidents should assess whether their operations are adequately reflected in the proposals.

Looking ahead

The direction of travel is clear: more clarity, broader coverage and faster reporting, underpinned by a more data-driven regulatory approach. While the reforms aim to improve both worker protection and regulatory efficiency, the practical effect for many businesses is likely to be an increase in reporting obligations and regulatory scrutiny, at least in the short term.

The consultation period, which runs until 30 June 2026, provides a time-limited opportunity to shape the framework that will govern workplace incident reporting for years to come. Businesses that engage now will be better positioned not only to influence the outcome, but also to adapt their systems and processes in anticipation of a more expansive and transparent reporting regime.