What should you do if you have an accident at work?
The first step is to report the accident to your employer, who should make sure you receive immediate medical attention. They should then record the details of your accident.
Accident book
Your employer should record your injury in an accident book. This should include the date, time and location of the accident.
Your employer also needs to record the details, such as the type of injury sustained and the circumstances of the accident. They need to explain how the injury happened and what actions they took to help you after the accident. If photographs were taken at the scene or if there is CCTV footage this evidence should be referenced.
The details recorded in an accident book can help support your workplace injury claim.
RIDDOR
Where a serious injury has occurred that results in death, amputation, sight damage, large bone fractures, brain damage, organ damage or serious burns your employer must report the incident to RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). In addition, they must report illnesses caused by work such as carpel tunnel syndrome and occupational asthma.
If you cannot work for at least seven days due to your accident, this must also be reported to RIDDOR.
Other records of your accident
It is helpful if you can:
- Take photographs of your injury and the scene of your accident.
- Note down the contact details of any witnesses to your accident.
- Make notes about the accident as soon as you can, including drawings if they are helpful.
- Write down the observations of any witnesses.
This evidence will also support your work accident claim.
See a doctor
It is important to make an appointment to see a doctor straight away. As well as making sure your injury is properly treated their medical notes can support your claim for compensation.
