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Following on from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of our health and safety focused series of articles for employers in which we shared resources on the subject of workplace and commuter social distancing, home working health and safety and first aid cover during coronavirus, we are now looking at RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19, explaining what the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising and providing links to relevant official resources.

RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19 – when to make a report?

RIDDOR, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, places duties on employers, the self-employed and those in control of work premises (the Responsible Person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses).

The HSE has published specific guidelines to follow for RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19.

In summary, coronavirus related reports should only be made under RIDDOR in the following circumstances:

• When an unintended incident in the workplace has resulted in someone's possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This should be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
• When a worker has been diagnosed as having COVID-19, and there is reasonable evidence that it came about due to exposure in the workplace. This should be reported as a case of disease.
• If a worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus. This should be reported as a work related fatality.

RIDDOR COVID-19 – what should be reported?

Reporting under RIDDOR will fall under either dangerous occurrence, case of disease or work related fatality.

Dangerous occurrences

RIDDOR reporting of dangerous occurrences is covered under Regulation 7, Schedule 2 - Section 10.

If something happens in the workplace which results in (or could result in) the release or escape of coronavirus, then you have a duty to report it as a dangerous occurrence.

The HSE gives an example of a lab worker accidentally smashing a glass vial containing coronavirus, leading to people being exposed.

Read more about dangerous occurrences.

Cases of disease

Reporting of disease under RIDDOR is covered under Regulation 9 (b).

If there is reasonable evidence that someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 was likely exposed due to their work, then this has to be reported as an exposure to a biological agent, using the case of disease report form.

The HSE gives an example of a health care professional diagnosed with COVID-19 after treating patients with COVID-19.

Work related fatalities

RIDDOR reporting of work related fatalities is covered under Regulation 6 (2).

If someone dies due to work-related exposure to coronavirus, and a registered medical practitioner confirms that the likely cause of death was coronavirus, then this must be reported as a death due to exposure to a biological agent using the case of disease report form.

All workplace fatalities must be reported to the HSE by the fastest practicable means without delay, with a report of the fatality being sent within 10 days of the incident.

How to make a RIDDOR report online?

Here are the links you need to make RIDDOR reports online:

Report a dangerous occurrence
Report a case of disease: exposure to a biological agent 
Report a work-related fatality due to exposure to a biological agent

Keeping up to date

Keeping up to date with changing advice during these uncertain times is vital. Always take care to consult official sources, such as those linked to within this article.

The HSE's dedicated coronavirus information hub is a good central resource providing useful information relevant to a range of industry sectors.