RIDDOR Reporting of COVID-19

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

You must only make a report under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) when:

• An unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
• 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.
• A worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a death due to a biological agent.

Dangerous Occurrences

If something happens at work which results in (or could result in) the release or escape of coronavirus you must report this as a dangerous occurrence. An example is a lab worker accidentally smashing a glass vial containing coronavirus, leading to people being exposed. Read RIDDOR Regulation 7, Schedule 2 – Section 10.

Cases of Disease: Exposure to a Biological Agent

If there is reasonable evidence that someone diagnosed with COVID-19 was likely exposed because of their work, you must report this as an exposure to a biological agent using the case of disease report. An example is a health care professional diagnosed with COVID-19 after treating infected patients. Read RIDDOR Regulation 9(b).

Work-Related Fatalities

If a worker dies as a result of exposure to coronavirus at work and this is confirmed as the likely cause of death by a registered medical practitioner, you must report this as a death due to exposure to a biological agent using the case of disease report form. Notify the HSE by the quickest practicable means without delay and submit the report within 10 days. Read RIDDOR Regulation 6(2).

Make a RIDDOR Report Online

Find out more about what you must report.

• 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

For a detailed overview, see our comprehensive guide to RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19.