Who decides what is a dangerous occurence, I ask this question because I am aware of a metal suspended ceiling collapsing in a six bed dorm of a mental health facility. Fortunately the room was unoccupied as it was dinner time but when asked if the incident had been advised to the HSE as a dangerous occurence, the Health and Safety manager stated that it was not required. As stated the ceiling is of metal tiles which are held in place securly so as to make removal difficult thereby lowering ligature risk. The full ceiling came down in a 'v' shape bringing down integrated lights and smoke alarm. I suspect that one of the reason for not wanting to report it as a dangerous incident is that the Trust does not want the HSE involved. Is none notification justified? Who decides?

The RIDDOR regulations (Schedule 2) lists all notifiable Dangerous Occurrences. The collapse of a ceiling is not included therefore, in my opinion, is not notifiable. PH2

None of which fits the description of the incident. Not reportable, but worthy of in-depth investigation in-house.

Strictly speaking Ron you are correct. Do you believe for one minute that if it was reported the HSE would say "It's not reportable as it doesn't state the word ceiling in the regs"? Surely under the circumstances and also given the nature of the use of the building it should be reported and warrants official investigation. Lets be thankful it is not being reported as multiple deaths.

The HSE ‘decide’ (or have at least defined) those dangerous occurrences that are reportable under RIDDOR. It is then down to the ‘responsible person’ (see reg 2) to decide whether or not an incident meets the definition of a reportable dangerous occurrence. I suggest that the reason that they don’t want to report this as a dangerous OCCURRENCE (not incident) under RIDDOR is because it doesn’t meet the definition of one. From what you have said I doubt that the total weight is anywhere near 5 tonnes, it wasn’t a floor, wall (I take Redkens point though) or false work, so I suggest that it isn’t reportable under schedule 2 (18). That isn’t to say that it shouldn’t be investigated and appropriate measures taken to prevent recurrence.

one mans ceiling could be another mans floor /discuss

In my post I tend to over-report rather than under-report - albeit not under RIDDOR but the marine equivalent. If the MAIB decides it is not reportable they always thank me as it assists their statistics, particularly near misses which this clearly was.