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Get Medical Help First
If you have had an accident at work, your first priority should always be your health and safety. If your injuries are serious, call 999 or ask someone nearby to do so.
For less urgent injuries, speak to a first aider, visit the workplace medical room if there is one, or go to A&E, urgent treatment, or your GP. Even if the injury seems minor, it is sensible to get checked in case symptoms develop later.
Report the Accident
Tell your supervisor, manager, or employer about the accident as soon as you can. If possible, do this in writing so there is a clear record of what happened and when.
Your employer should record the incident in the accident book if your workplace has one. Make sure the details are accurate, including the date, time, location, and what caused the accident.
Gather Evidence
Try to collect evidence while the details are still fresh. Take photographs of the scene, any equipment involved, and your injuries if you can do so safely.
It may also help to get the names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident happen. Keep copies of medical notes, prescriptions, fit notes, and any messages with your employer about the incident.
Check Whether the Accident Should Be Reported
Some workplace accidents must be reported under RIDDOR, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. This usually applies to serious injuries, dangerous incidents, and accidents that lead to time off work.
Your employer is normally responsible for making this report. If you are unsure whether the accident should have been reported, you can ask your employer or seek advice from a solicitor, trade union, or adviser.
Think About Compensation
If your employer was at fault, or if poor health and safety led to your accident, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. This can help cover pain and suffering, lost earnings, treatment costs, and other losses.
Many claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, which means you may not need to pay legal fees upfront. It is often best to get advice as soon as possible, because there are time limits for making a claim.
Get Support if You Need It
An accident at work can be stressful, especially if you are worried about money, your job, or how long recovery will take. Do not be afraid to ask for help from your employer, GP, union, or a legal adviser.
Keep a note of your symptoms, treatment, and how the injury affects your daily life and work. This can be useful both for your recovery and for any claim you decide to make later.
Get Medical Help First
If you have had an accident at work, your health and safety come first.
If the injury is serious, call 999. If you cannot call, ask someone near you to help.
If the injury is not urgent, speak to a first aider. You can also go to the workplace medical room, if there is one. Or go to A&E, urgent treatment, or your GP.
Even if the injury looks small, it is a good idea to get it checked. Some symptoms start later.
If it helps, use a phone reminder to track your pain and symptoms. You can also ask someone to stay with you and help you explain what happened.
Report the Accident
Tell your supervisor, manager, or employer about the accident as soon as you can.
If you can, write it down too. This helps keep a clear record of what happened and when.
Your employer should put the accident in the accident book, if there is one.
Make sure the details are correct. Include the date, time, place, and what caused the accident.
It can help to use simple notes or a checklist so you do not forget anything.
Gather Evidence
Try to collect evidence as soon as you can. The accident may be easier to remember while it is still fresh in your mind.
If it is safe, take photos of the place, any equipment involved, and your injuries.
Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.
Keep copies of your medical notes, prescriptions, fit notes, and any messages with your employer about the accident.
A folder on your phone or computer can help keep everything in one place.
Check Whether the Accident Should Be Reported
Some workplace accidents must be reported under RIDDOR. This is the name of the rules for reporting certain accidents and incidents.
This usually includes serious injuries, dangerous events, and accidents that mean time off work.
Your employer usually has to make this report.
If you are not sure, ask your employer. You can also ask a solicitor, trade union, or adviser for help.
Think About Compensation
If your employer was at fault, or if poor safety led to the accident, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.
This may help pay for pain, lost pay, treatment costs, and other losses.
Some claims are no win, no fee. This means you may not have to pay legal fees at the start.
It is best to get advice soon. There are time limits for making a claim.
Get Support if You Need It
An accident at work can be upsetting. You may worry about money, your job, or how long it will take to get better.
Ask for help if you need it. You can speak to your employer, GP, union, or a legal adviser.
Keep a note of your symptoms, treatment, and how the injury affects your day and your work.
This can help with your recovery. It can also help if you decide to make a claim later.
It may help to use a notebook, diary app, or voice notes on your phone. Asking a trusted person to help you write things down can also make it easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get medical help right away if needed, report the accident to your supervisor, and follow your workplace incident reporting process.
Yes. Even minor injuries or near misses should be reported because symptoms can worsen later and the incident may need to be recorded.
If you are injured, it is a good idea to get medical advice promptly, even if the injury seems small.
Give the date, time, location, what happened, who was involved, any witnesses, and details of any injuries or damage.
If possible, yes. Witness details can help confirm what happened and may be useful for the report or any claim.
You should still report it. Proper reporting protects your health, helps prevent future incidents, and creates an official record.
Usually yes. Complete your employer’s accident report form as soon as you can and keep a copy for your records.
Tell your employer as soon as possible, follow your doctor’s advice, and ask about sick leave, pay, or any return-to-work process.
You may be able to, depending on the circumstances and local laws. Consider getting advice from a qualified legal or claims professional.
Report the fault immediately, stop using the equipment if it is unsafe, and make sure it is taken out of service until checked.
You should still report it and get medical attention if needed. Fault does not necessarily stop you from having rights or making a report.
If it is safe to do so, photos of the area, equipment, and any visible injuries can help document what happened.
Report the incident in detail as soon as possible, note the time and location, and keep any evidence such as photos or messages.
If you believe the task or area is unsafe, raise the concern immediately and ask for it to be assessed before returning.
Keep copies of the accident report, medical notes, photos, witness details, and any correspondence with your employer or insurer.
Follow your doctor’s advice, inform your employer, and ask about reporting procedures, sick pay, and any documentation needed.
Yes. Near misses should be reported because they can reveal hazards and help prevent future accidents.
Report the accident anyway and seek medical advice if symptoms appear later, since some injuries develop over time.
If it is urgent, seek medical help first. Then inform your supervisor, manager, or the designated health and safety contact.
Protect your health first, report the accident promptly, and document what happened as clearly as possible.
Get medical help right away if you need it.
Tell your supervisor about the accident as soon as you can.
Follow your workplace steps for reporting the incident.
Yes. You should report even small injuries or near misses.
This is because the problem may get worse later.
It may also need to be written down as an incident.
If you are hurt, it is a good idea to get medical advice quickly.
Even if the injury looks small, a doctor can check it for you.
Write down the date, time, and place.
Say what happened. Tell who was there. Include any witnesses. Write about any injuries or damage.
If you can, yes. Witness details can help show what happened. They can also help with the report or any claim.
You should still tell someone about it.
Reporting it helps keep you safe. It can stop the same thing happening again. It also makes an official record.
Usually, yes.
Fill in your employer’s accident report form as soon as you can.
Keep a copy for your records.
Tell your employer as soon as you can.
Follow your doctor’s advice.
Ask about:
- sick leave
- pay
- how to return to work
It may help to write notes, use reminders on your phone, or ask a trusted person to help you talk to your employer.
You may be able to do this. It depends on the situation and the laws where you live.
It is a good idea to ask for help from a trained legal expert or a claims expert.
Tell someone about the problem right away.
Do not use the equipment if it is not safe.
Put it out of use until someone checks it.
You should still tell someone about it.
If you need medical help, get it.
It can still be important to make a report.
It does not matter if it was your fault. You may still have rights.
It may help to:
• ask a trusted person to help you
• write down what happened
• keep any photos or notes
• speak to a doctor, nurse, or support worker
If it is safe, take photos of the area, the equipment, and any injuries you can see. This can help show what happened.
Tell someone about the incident as soon as you can.
Write down what happened. Include the time and place.
Keep any proof. This can be photos, messages, or notes.
If you think a task or place is not safe, tell someone straight away.
Ask for it to be checked before you go back.
Keep copies of these things:
- the accident report
- medical notes
- photos
- witness details
- any letters or emails from your employer or insurer
Keep them in one safe place. You can use a folder, file, or phone notes. Ask someone you trust to help you keep them organised if you need to.
Follow your doctor’s advice.
Tell your employer as soon as you can.
Ask your employer about:
- how to report your sickness
- if you can get sick pay
- what papers or notes you need
If it helps, write down the questions before you ask.
Yes. You should report near misses. They can show dangers. This helps stop accidents happening later.
Report the accident, even if you feel okay now.
See a doctor if you get symptoms later. Some injuries can start later.
If it is an emergency, get medical help first.
Then tell your supervisor, manager, or the health and safety contact.
Put your health first.
Report the accident as soon as you can.
Write down what happened in a clear and simple way.
Keep any notes, photos, or messages that can help explain the accident.
If it helps, ask a trusted person to help you read or write the details.
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