Unit 3: Working in the Sports Industry
About Lesson

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) (1995)


The following are 6 key areas which affect employers, employees, clients and customers within the sporting industry.

Reporting of Injuries

Employers must report injuries that result in an employee being absent from work for over 7 days or if an individual is incapacitated from normal work duties.


Example:

  • A professional football player sustains a severe leg injury and is unable to return to training or matches for more than a week.
  • A coach injures their back during a training session and is unable to perform their duties for a prolonged period.


Reporting of Occupational Diseases

Specific work-related diseases must be reported if an employee is diagnosed with one as a result of their job.


Example:

  • A coach develops a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or tendonitis from overuse in training.
  • A groundskeeper develops asthma due to long-term exposure to pesticides or fertilizers.


Dangerous Occurrences (near misses)

These are dangerous occurrences, which are specific events that could have caused injury or death, and must be reported.


Example:

  • A malfunctioning goalpost collapses during a football match, creating a risk of injury to players.
  • A faulty floodlight system causes an electrical hazard during an evening game.


Fatalities

Any fatality (someone dying) at the sports venue, whether on-site or related to sports activities, must be reported.


Example:

  • A player tragically dies during a match due to a cardiac event or serious injury.
  • A member of the public dies after a serious accident at a sports event, such as a collapse of seating or a stadium structure.


Non-Employee Injuries

Injuries to non-employees (e.g., spectators, volunteers) that result in significant harm must be reported.


Example:

  • A spectator is struck by an errant ball or player during a match and is seriously injured, requiring hospital treatment.
  • A volunteer referee sustains a severe head injury during a youth sports event.


Health and Safety Management

Compliance with RIDDOR promotes better health and safety practices by ensuring employers identify, track, and address hazards in sports environments.


Example:

  • A sports club implements regular safety audits and equipment checks following an injury to ensure the risk of future incidents is minimised.
  • A coach institutes new safety protocols after an injury occurs, such as improved training techniques or the use of protective equipment.


In summary, RIDDOR ensures that serious incidents within the sports environment, whether involving employees, volunteers, or spectators, are properly reported to improve safety standards.