Long COVID continues to affect workforce capacity, sickness absence, and long‑term health. If RIDDOR is to remain fit for purpose, airborne infectious diseases must be explicitly included as reportable occupational diseases, with clear guidance on exposure, transmission routes, and diagnostic criteria. Excluding them risks under‑reporting, weakens surveillance, and leaves workers unprotected. https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/