The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new public consultation on the future of workplace injury, disease and dangerous occurrence reporting in Great Britain, inviting input from employers, industry stakeholders, and health professionals.

The consultation focuses on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), which underpin how work-related incidents are reported to the regulator.

HSE is proposing a range of changes aimed at modernising the system, improving clarity, and reducing unnecessary administrative burden on businesses while continuing to strengthen worker protection.

Among the key proposals are plans to clarify existing definitions within RIDDOR where terminology has been found to be unclear or open to interpretation. The regulator is also reviewing the list of reportable dangerous occurrences to ensure it reflects modern workplace risks, alongside proposed updates to the list of occupational diseases to ensure serious cases of work-related ill health are captured appropriately.

In addition, HSE is considering broadening the range of professionals who can formally diagnose reportable occupational diseases, extending beyond doctors registered with the General Medical Council to include other suitably qualified health practitioners.

Alongside these legislative changes, the consultation also explores non-legislative improvements, including simplification of the online RIDDOR reporting system. This is intended to improve usability and help address both under-reporting and over-reporting of incidents.

HSE has stated that the consultation is relevant across all sectors, particularly for duty holders, contractors, and organisations responsible for managing workplaces. It also forms part of its wider objective to reduce work-related ill health while making compliance more straightforward and proportionate.

The consultation is open until 30 June 2026, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposals and provide feedback.