Reporting exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents

Reportable exposure

RIDDOR requires employers and self-employed workers to report any disease caused by an occupational exposure to a biological agent and cases of occupational cancer.

For occupational exposure to be considered the probable cause of a condition, there must be sufficient evidence that the person's work was the source of exposure. Such evidence may include whether their duties involved intentional handling of a recognised carcinogen or biological agent.

Occupational cancer results from substantial exposure to carcinogens or mutagens in the workplace, often over a prolonged period. These hazardous agents can take the form of solid substances, liquids, mixtures, vapours, gases, dusts, or ionising radiation.

Cases of cancer should be reported when there is a recognised causal connection between the type of cancer diagnosed and the workplace hazards to which the individual has been exposed. For instance, the following occupationally related cancers must be reported: mesothelioma or lung cancer in someone exposed to asbestos fibres at work, and cancer of the nasal cavity or sinuses in someone exposed to wood dust in the course of their employment.

All diseases should be reported if they can be linked to occupational exposure to a biological agent. Such exposures may occur as a result of a specific incident, for example, the accidental breakage of a laboratory flask, a needlestick injury with a contaminated syringe, or an animal bite. They may also result from unrecognised events, where workers are exposed to the agent without being aware of it, such as exposure to legionella during routine maintenance of a hot water system.