3 important steps to take after a workplace accident

Posted on 13th May, 2019 | By Lorretta Tatham

Health and safety courses run by Brown’s Safety Services can greatly reduce the risk of accidents occurring at work or on a construction site, as people will be able to assess risks more accurately and take the necessary precautions. But while it’s important to take every available measure to reduce the risk of accidents, it’s rarely possible to eliminate them entirely. If an accident happens in your workplace, it’s vitally important that you follow correct procedures, so here are three essential steps that you have to take as soon as it’s possible to do so.

1. Get medical help

We’ll come to the regulatory requirements in a moment, but your number one priority after a workplace accident has to be the colleague who has suffered the accident. We offer several first aid courses from Brown’s Safety Services train people to make initial assessments and provide basic medical assistance, so ensure that a trained health and safety representative assesses the injured party. In the worst case scenarios, expert medical attention may be required, so in this circumstance, you should phone for an ambulance or arrange for the person to be transported to a hospital, providing any first aid support necessary in the intervening period.

2. Record the accident

All companies, large or small, are required to have an accident book, and to ensure that all workplace accidents and injuries are recorded in it. This record should include the full name and details of the person who has suffered the accident, including employee number, if relevant, and the details of the person who is recording the accident. The report should also include details of the nature of the accident, when, where and how it occurred, and details of the injury, including whether the person was treated by a trained first aider or taken to a hospital or doctor. These accident reports are not only a legal necessity, but they can also help employers see patterns of accidents or find ways to make accidents less likely in their workplace.

3. RIDDOR reporting

Some accidents and injuries will need reporting to the appropriate authorities under the terms of the ‘Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 2013’. As an employer, you should be aware of the scope of these regulations, and your responsibilities in relation to them. They state that all deaths and injuries caused by workplace accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive, as should outbreaks of occupational diseases and factors such as gas leaks or the leaks of chemicals and biological agents. Failure to submit a RIDDOR report can have very serious consequences.

If a workplace accident occurs, take care of the person injured, record the details in your accident book, and ensure that RIDDOR reports are submitted if necessary. Following this, it’s important to monitor the recovery of the injured person, and to investigate the cause of the accident and how it could have been prevented. Brown’s Safety Services have a wide variety of courses that can make such accidents less likely, from ladder safety to manual handling training, all designed to help you and your employees minimise the risks (and possible consequences) of accidents in the workplace. You can book your place by clicking on the links above, or alternatively giving us a call on 01282 615517.