Workplaces can be dangerous, and even with the appropriate safety precautions, there’s always a risk for accidents and injuries. Having said that, the risk is much higher when safety procedures are not properly followed and frequently revised and amended. Since employers are legally obligated to provide their employees with a safe working environment, they can be held accountable for any accidents or injuries stemming from a failure to meet this obligation.
If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer a workplace injury, UK employment law is there to protect your rights. Your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe while you’re working for them, irrespective of the type of job you have and the environment where you carry out your tasks. Your employer also has to keep you informed about health and safety issues that might concern you and give you training and personal protective equipment.
In case of an injury, you have the right to claim compensation, including any lost wages. You are also entitled to time off so you can recover and once you return, to lighter work tasks and reduced hours if needed.
Most of us depend on the money we get from our employers, so an accident resulting in injuries that require you to take time off can be very stressful. In some cases, it can mean you can no longer afford to cover your basic expenses and support your family.
Your rights are protected by law because you don’t deserve to struggle with this kind of anxiety and stress. The benefits you receive to compensate for your injuries will depend on their severity, their consequences and the circumstances of your accident. This article will explain the most important steps you need to take after an accident at work.
The Most Common Types of Workplace Accidents and Injuries
The most common causes of workplace accidents and injuries are:
- Dangerous working conditions
- Ineffective safety measures
- Poorly enforced safety measures
- Failure to evaluate risks accurately
- Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Poor quality PPE
- Badly maintained equipment
- Lack of safety training
According to data provided by the Health and Safety Executive, the most common types of work-related accidents and injuries are:
- Slips, trips and falls on the same level ? This category account for 29% of accidents and can result in bruises, sprains and fractures.
- Handling, lifting or carrying ? This category accounts for 19% of accidents and can result in muscular strains, injuries to the back, hands and feet as well as musculoskeletal disorders.
- Getting struck by a moving object ?This category accounts for 11% of accidents and is more prevalent in the construction industry or warehouses.
- Acts of violence ? This category accounts for 9% of accidents and can involve employees, customers, clients or visitors, leading to injuries that range from minor to severe.
- Falls from height ? This category accounts for 8% of accidents, usually involving ladders or scaffolding. It can result in fractures, injuries to the neck shoulders and back as well as traumatic brain injuries.
Injuries can also result from exposure to harmful environmental factors such as toxic fumes which can damage the respiratory system and lead to illness and exposure to loud noises that can cause hearing loss.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is another common type of injury that implies the damage to muscles and tendons caused by repetitive movements.
First Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury
The first and most important thing you need to do after a work accident is to get medical attention. Companies are legally obligated to have a first-aid kit on the premises. They should also have a designated first-aider who has received training and knows what to do in case of an accident.
Once you’ve received first aid, you should get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. You can do this by either going to the emergency section of a hospital or calling your GP, explaining the situation and making a prompt appointment. Even if you think your injuries are not that bad, bear in mind that injuries may appear minor at first, but can lead to serious complications if inadequately treated. Have a doctor examine you and follow their recommendations.
If you decide to file a compensation claim, the medical documents attesting your visits can serve as proof and will also show that you took the required steps to recover and the severity of your injuries is not due to negligence on your part. You can get more information about the steps involved in filing a compensations claim and how much you can get through online resources like Compensation Calculator UK.
You’ll also need to report the accident to your manager. If you’re unable to because you’ve been hospitalized, you can have someone else do it for you. Most companies have this stipulated in their regulations, and that’s because, according to UK law, they need to record the accident in an accident book and report it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Smaller companies with fewer than ten employees may not have an accident book in which case you can just write down a description of your accident and send it to your manager. Keep a copy for yourself as proof that you complied with regulations.
If you’re part of a trade union, you can also let them know about the accident and your injuries, and they can help by conducting further investigations, getting witness statements from your colleagues and taking care of the paperwork.
It’s best to avoid discuss who’s to blame for the accident with your superiors. Fault can only be established after thorough investigations by people with legal expertise. Whether or not they claim it was your fault is of little consequence.
If you need time to recover from your injuries and can’t work, you have the right to statutory sick pay. More severe injuries with long-term implications can qualify you for industrial injuries disablement benefit. You should contact your employer and address your rights as an employee and how to handle the aftermath of your accident.
In the UK, employers are held accountable for the safety of their staff and visitors. They need to have insurance and implement appropriate health and safety regulations. If you get injured because your employer neglected their obligations, it’s right to claim compensation. Your employer’s liability insurance will cover the money you receive if your claim is successful.
