Accidents at work can happen under diverse circumstances and it is important for all employers and employees to have the right attitude and knowledge to work safely and to comply with RIDDOR regulations.
Who is responsible?
It is an employer’s responsibility to understand what they need to do to take care of the health and safety of employees. Employers must carry out regular risk assessments, so they’re able to know what’s needed to take care of the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and visitors.
Lawfully, employers should have a complete understanding of the rules and regulations of how to report and record any workplace incident to comply with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) and follow all relevant health and safety guidelines.
It’s also encouraged for employees to have safety training to make sure they are completely aware of potential safety hazards and what they have to do in the unfortunate event of an accident.
What to look out for
People working in different types of jobs face a range of different work hazards, however the most common accidents to happen in a workplace are slips, trips and falls. Other common workplace injuries are caused by uneven floor surfaces, badly lit steps or corridors and untidy and unsafe cables. Dangerous substances, such as asbestos and airborne pollutants such as excessive dust or chemical fumes can also cause illnesses.
When workplace accidents do occur, it may be that employer’s didn’t correctly assess the risks involved or carry out their obligation to limit these as far as possible, entitling employees to compensation.
Reporting and recording a workplace injury
Any injury at work, including minor injuries should be reported. Keeping a record of incidents allows employers to have an overview of the work place and then develop solutions to prevent any future issues, preventing injuries as well as control costs for accidental loss.
Although reporting must be completed by the employer, it is advised that employees check that it has been reported correctly. This will help their case if they decide to claim for compensation. As an employee it’s important to understand your rights if you have been involved in an accident.
There are serious injury specialists like First4SeriousInjury that can help you understand if you have an eligible claim and support you through the claims process.
While accidents unfortunately will always happen, with the right processes you can minimise occurrences in your workplace and by ensuring the necessary safety requirements are in place, you can also minimise the potential impact that these accidents may have.
