Occupational safety International framework and country guides
How and within what time must a workplace accident be reported in Saudi Arabia?
Part of: Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties
Short answer
On the NCOSH electronic platform: fatal accidents within 24 hours of confirmation of death, serious accidents within 3 working days, non-serious within 7 and near misses within 10 (NCOSH Decision 82885, 2023). GOSI should also be notified within 3 days for insured workers.
Report it on the electronic platform of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), within a deadline set by severity: within 24 hours of confirmation of death for a fatal accident, 3 working days for other serious accidents, 7 working days for non-serious accidents and 10 working days for near misses. These limits come from the NCOSH reporting policy approved by Decision No. 82885 of 4/6/1445 AH (17 December 2023). For workers insured by GOSI, the employer should also notify GOSI within three days of learning of an injury that needs more than first aid.
Short answer
- Who reports: the employer (or the senior official in the public sector), or a person they delegate, through the establishment's account on the NCOSH platform. Workers can report too, and health facilities report the cases they treat.
- Fatal (grade F): within 24 hours of confirmation of death by the competent authority.
- Serious (grades D and E): within 3 working days of the accident.
- Non-serious (grades B and C): within 7 working days.
- Near miss (grade A): within 10 working days.
- Worker reports: the employer must respond within two working days.
- GOSI: employer guidance asks for notification within three days for insured workers; the worker should tell the employer within seven days.
How accidents are graded
The policy grades accidents with human consequences in two levels and six grades:
| Grade | Level | Examples given in the policy |
|---|---|---|
| F | 2, serious | Several deaths, one death, serious injury (permanent or total disability) |
| E | 2, serious | Severe injury to vital organs, injury that may cause partial disability, probable chronic occupational disease |
| D | 2, serious | Probable non-chronic occupational disease, injury needing a hospital stay |
| C | 1, non-serious | Injury needing medical treatment, symptoms of occupational disease |
| B | 1, non-serious | Absence from work for a period, temporary change of job |
| A | 1, near miss | First aid case, near miss, unsafe conditions and acts |
Accidents with only material damage are graded by the loss as a share of the establishment's capital. The policy words the grade F limit around deaths; for a grade F injury without a death, report without delay and confirm the timing with NCOSH.
Investigation after the report
For level 1 events, the employer appoints an accident investigator accredited by NCOSH, who finds the root causes and uploads the report to the platform; NCOSH can provide or approve third-party investigators for establishments without one. For level 2 events, the sector regulator may ask NCOSH to form an investigation team. The employer approves the report and the sector regulator confirms level 1 and 2 reports for the establishments it supervises, except reports on occupational diseases.
Example: A worker falls from a scaffold on Sunday morning and is admitted to hospital with fractures (grade D). The site manager arranges first aid and transport, preserves the scene and records witness names. The establishment reports on the NCOSH platform within three working days (reporting by Tuesday keeps it inside the limit however the first day is counted), notifies GOSI within three days of learning of the injury, and appoints its accredited investigator. If the worker died, the 24-hour clock would start when the competent authority confirmed the death.
Where the Labor Law fits
Labor Law Article 141 leaves the procedure for reporting work injuries to ministerial decision. Article 132 says the Labor Law's injury compensation chapter does not apply to establishments covered by the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law; for them GOSI handles treatment and benefits. GOSI's employer guidance warns that if the employer is late without an acceptable reason, it may have to pay the daily allowance due for the period before notification. GOSI's legacy guidance still refers to paper forms; check its current online service.
Common mistakes
- Reporting only to GOSI. GOSI notification is for insurance; the NCOSH platform deadlines apply separately.
- Counting calendar days. The 3, 7 and 10-day limits are working days; the fatal limit is 24 hours.
- Not reporting near misses. Grade A events must be reported within 10 working days.
- Using an unaccredited investigator. Level 1 investigations need an investigator accredited by NCOSH.
Related on excodex
- Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties
- What are the penalties for breaking occupational safety rules in Saudi Arabia?
- Incident first response, reporting and scene preservation
- OSH law comparison: appointments and reporting deadlines
Standards and further reading
- NCOSH Decision No. 82885 of 4/6/1445 AH approving the policy of the national comprehensive programme for reporting work accidents, injuries and occupational diseases: ncosh.gov.sa
- GOSI, employer questions on occupational injuries: gosi.gov.sa
- Labor Law Articles 132 to 141: hrsd.gov.sa
This article is general occupational safety and health information prepared by the excodex editorial team. It does not replace the applicable legislation, standards, manufacturers' instructions or the assessment of a competent OSH professional or occupational physician.
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Part of: Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties