HSE RIDDOR Statistics 2024

RIDDOR or the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations is the law requiring employers and those in charge of working premises to report and make a record of all instances of work-related injuries, occupational (reportable) diseases and incidents that have the potential to cause harm. The law also covers the reporting of workplace fatalities.

The purpose of RIDDOR regulations is to ensure that the enforcing authority is notified when an accident or incident has occurred in a working environment. This means that an investigation can be carried out by the Health and Safety Executive HSE or the local authority. 

Each year the organisation publishes the statistics highlighting the number of workplace accidents and incidents. 

For more information about your responsibilities as an employer and what you need to report under RIDDOR, talk to our Health and Safety experts at Croner. Call today on 0808 501 6651.

The statistics for 23/24 are outlined below:

Workers suffering from work-related ill health

It is estimated that 1.7 million workers are currently suffering with some form of work-related ill health, with 609,000 experiencing a new case of ill-health in 23/24. This figure is based on self-reports from the Labour Force Survey for people who have worked in the last 12 months, including both new and long standing cases of work-related ill health.

Key statistics breakdown:

• 1.7 million workers suffering from work-related ill health.
• 609,000 workers suffering from a new case of work-related ill health.
• 29.6 million working days lost.
• 13,000 deaths attributed to past exposure to chemicals and dust at work. 

Work-related mental ill health

Workers suffering from mental health conditions including, stress, anxiety and depression as a result of their work, is higher than that of the pre-coronavirus level, currently numbering at almost 0.8 million. It is estimated that of this figure, approximately 300k workers are new cases, with a total of 16.4 million working days being lost as a result. 

Key statistics breakdown: 

• 776,000 workers suffer from work-related stress, anxiety and depression.
• 300,000 new cases of work-related stress, anxiety and depression.
• 16.4 million working days lost. 

Workers suffering with work-related musculoskeletal conditions and disorders

Roughly 543,000 workers are currently experiencing a musculoskeletal disorder or condition as a direct result of their work, this number represents both new and long-standing cases. Of this overall figure there were 168,000 new cases, with an overall loss of working days numbering 7.8 million in total. 

Of the recorded cases of musculoskeletal disorders, roughly 20% of cases indicated a disorder in the lower limbs, whilst the most common was back issues, which accounted for 43%. The upper limbs and neck made up 37% of cases. In terms of a breakdown by industry, admin and support services, construction, transportation and storage all featured higher than average rates of musculoskeletal disorders. 

Key statistics breakdown:

• 543,000 total cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
• 168,000 new cases.
• 7.8 million working days lost. 
• The majority of cases reported featured disorders of the back 43%. 

Cases of occupational lung disease 

Occupational lung disease covers a number of conditions including, but not necessarily limited to mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occupational asthma and lung cancer. Lung disease accounts for an estimated 12,000 deaths a year, due to past exposure. 23/24 also saw 20,000 estimated new cases of breathing and lung problems, either caused by or exacerbated by work. 

Mesothelioma cases numbered at an estimated 2,257 as a result of past exposure to asbestos. Annual mesothelioma deaths are predicted to decrease over the next 2 decades, whilst the rate of occupational asthma cases has remained at a constant since 2010. The effects of the coronavirus pandemic has yet to be taken into account as to what effect this will have on the number of cases of occupational asthma.

Key statistics breakdown:

• 12,000 deaths from lung disease each year on average.
• 2,257 mesothelioma deaths and estimated similar lung cancer numbers as a result of past asbestos exposure. 
• 20,000 estimated cases of breathing and lung problems, as a result of or worsened by work.

Injuries and fatalities in the workplace

Overall, the number of workplace fatalities was on a steady downward trajectory, with the only real anomaly being the small peak and trough in the period during which the coronavirus pandemic was prevalent. The current figures resemble the pre-pandemic numbers, with a recorded 138 workers killed in workplace accidents. 

As well as fatalities there were a recorded 61,663 employee, work-related non-fatal injuries. These were numbers reported under RIDDOR by employers. This is in comparison to the 604,000 self-reports for the Labour Force Survey. 

In terms of working days lost to non-fatal injuries, the number is estimated at 4.1 million according to the Labour Force Survey. 

Key statistics breakdown:

• 138 workers killed as a result of work-related accidents.
• 61,663 non-fatal employee injuries reported to RIDDOR.
• 4.1 million working days lost due to non-fatal workplace injuries.

Financial costs of workplace injury and ill-health

• £21.6 billion in annual costs of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health in 23/24. (excludes long latency illnesses, like cancer).
• £14.5 billion in annual costs of new cases of work-related ill health. (excludes long latency illnesses, like cancer).
• 7.1 billion in annual costs of workplace injury.

Reduce the risk of legal claims and protect your business from non-compliance with health and safety legislation. 

For expert Health and Safety advice on everything from risk assessments to full audits, call Croner today on 0808 501 6651.