If you get injured in an accident at work, the onus is on your employer to record the accident details in the company’s accident book. A business with over ten employees must keep an accident book and record workplace accidents. Most companies of whatever size usually maintain an accident book, even if they are not required to by law.
The specific details to be recorded are:
- The name of the person injured
- The name of the person who reported the accident
- Time, date and where the accident happened.
- Details of how the accident happened
- Nature of the injuries sustained
However, whilst the requirement is for your employer to record the accident details, you need to bring the incident to their attention in the first place.
Whilst your initial concerns following an accident must always focus on the injuries you have suffered and getting them attended to by a medic, it is incumbent on you to report the accident yourself at the first available opportunity (or to get someone else to do this).
Be aware that some companies have policies and procedures in place in the company staff handbook, making reporting the accident compulsory.
Keep a note of the person to whom you reported the accident and when.
Check out who else might have seen the accident, and keep a note of their names if anyone did.
Certain types of serious accidents at work must, by law, be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)