The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched two major initiatives in April 2026 that UK fire safety professionals, facilities managers, and building owners need to be aware of. The first is a public consultation on the future of workplace incident reporting under RIDDOR. The second is a renewed enforcement focus on asbestos management, aligned with Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Together they signal that the HSE is tightening its grip on two of the most persistent compliance gaps in the UK estate: the way incidents are recorded and the way legacy hazards are managed.
Background on RIDDOR
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require employers, the self-employed, and people in control of work premises to report certain workplace incidents to the HSE. Reportable events include work-related deaths, specified injuries, incidents that leave someone unable to work for more than seven days, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences such as collapses, explosions, and fires. RIDDOR reports feed directly into the statistics the HSE uses to target enforcement and set policy, which means gaps in reporting lead to gaps in regulation.
Public Consultation on Injury Reporting
On 7 April 2026, the HSE launched a public consultation to gather insight from employers, health and safety practitioners, and industry bodies on how incident reporting under RIDDOR should evolve. The consultation covers the scope of what should be reportable, the format and timing of reports, and how the data gathered can best be used to improve workplace safety. Proposals include clarifying definitions where existing terminology has been identified as unclear, revising the list of dangerous occurrences to better reflect modern workplace risks, and updating the list of reportable occupational diseases.
The consultation is open until 30 June 2026. Responses can be submitted through the HSE RIDDOR proposals portal. This is a rare opportunity for the profession to shape the reporting regime directly, and duty holders with practical experience of the current process should consider contributing.
The Duty to Manage Asbestos
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) place an explicit legal duty on anyone in control of non-domestic premises to manage the risk from asbestos. Regulation 4 requires dutyholders to take reasonable steps to find asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on their premises, assess the condition of any ACMs, assume materials are asbestos if there is any doubt, prepare and maintain a written management plan, and provide information on the location and condition of ACMs to anyone likely to disturb them.
For commercial buildings, this typically means an asbestos register kept up to date and supported by a refurbishment and demolition survey before any intrusive work. Failure to manage asbestos is one of the most heavily penalised breaches the HSE pursues, and it commonly surfaces during investigations of apparently unrelated incidents.
Inspections During Global Asbestos Awareness Week
To coincide with Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1 to 7 April), the HSE announced that inspectors would visit premises across the UK to verify compliance with CAR 2012. The inspections focused on whether duty holders could produce an up-to-date asbestos register, whether workers on site had received asbestos awareness training, and whether refurbishment and demolition work was being carried out in line with survey findings.
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The HSE has reiterated that free guidance is available for both duty holders and trades. Key documents include HSG227 A comprehensive guide to managing asbestos in premises, HSG247 Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guide, and HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide. Asbestos awareness training is available through accredited providers at modest cost and is a legal requirement for anyone whose work may disturb asbestos.
Practical Steps for Duty Holders
Commission or refresh an asbestos management survey for every non-domestic premises you control. Surveys older than five years should be reviewed against the current condition of the building.
Maintain a clearly labelled, accessible asbestos register. Make sure contractors sign in and out of the register on arrival and confirm they have read the relevant entries before starting work.
Keep a written asbestos management plan that identifies responsibilities, monitoring frequencies, and incident procedures. The plan is a legal requirement under Regulation 4(8) of CAR 2012.
Provide asbestos awareness training (Category A under HSE guidance) for any staff or contractors whose work could foreseeably disturb ACMs.
Before any refurbishment or demolition work, arrange a refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey. Do not rely on a management survey for intrusive work.
Participate in the HSE’s RIDDOR consultation to influence the future of incident reporting in Great Britain.
Why It Matters to UK Fire Safety Professionals
These initiatives are crucial for fire safety professionals, building owners, and facilities managers in the UK. Effective asbestos management and accurate injury reporting are integral to maintaining safe environments and ensuring compliance with legal obligations. By staying informed and participating in consultations, professionals can contribute to shaping policies that directly impact workplace safety.
The overlap between asbestos management and fire safety is significant. Many asbestos-containing materials are found in precisely the building elements that fire risk assessors examine most closely: ceiling tiles, service ducts, textured coatings, fire doors, and insulation boards. A fire in a building with uncontrolled asbestos creates compound risks for occupants, firefighters, and the surrounding community. Conversely, intrusive fire safety works, such as upgrading compartmentation or rerouting smoke vents, can disturb ACMs if the asbestos register is out of date. Treating the two regimes as linked, rather than separate, is the only way to discharge both duties properly.
Further Reading and Sources
INFIRISK Editorial
INFIRISK Team
Expert insights and guidance from the INFIRISK editorial team, covering fire safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices.
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