| They say that most accidents occur in the home - but | | | | Contact Centre of the HSE. Types of work accidents |
| the workplace probably comes a close second. After | | | | that need to be reported are those where the result is: |
| all, if you're like the average UK employee, you | | | | death, major injuries (breaking a limb, for instance), |
| probably spend more time at work during the week | | | | dangerous incidents (such as a gas leak), disease and |
| than you do at home. Figures from the Health and | | | | any other injury that stops an employee from their |
| Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that in 2006-07, | | | | normal course of work for three days or more. And |
| 274,000 reportable injuries occurred. What's more, | | | | while it's your employer's legal responsibility to report to |
| during the same time period, 241 workers were killed | | | | the HSE, there's no ruling against checking yourself to |
| while at work. | | | | see whether or not they've actually done so. |
| So what should you do if you've been in an accident | | | | You could also be eligible for compensation for any |
| at work? First things first: always report an accident to | | | | accidents at work you've experienced, if you can |
| your employer. Remember, your employer is | | | | prove that the accident was someone else's fault. |
| legally-bound to protect you from health and safety | | | | That "someone else" could be anyone except yourself |
| issues, so you shouldn't feel that reporting an accident | | | | - whether it's a colleague, your employer or anyone |
| is tantamount to dissent against your company. | | | | else working within your workplace. If you're unsure |
| Additionally, it means that in the future your employer | | | | about how to claim compensation, visit your local |
| will be able to make sure that no one else suffers the | | | | Citizen's Advice Bureau, who will probably be able to |
| same fate. | | | | give you a list of all the personal injury solicitors in your |
| What's more, if you're involved in an accident in the | | | | area. |
| workplace that keeps you away from work, it's likely | | | | Don't forget, your employer isn't simply doing you a |
| you'll only have the right to statutory sick pay. So when | | | | favour by keeping your workplace safe: it's their legal |
| you report your accident to your employers, check | | | | duty to do so. In return, reporting an accident in the |
| whether or not they have a scheme in place for extra | | | | workplace, whether it's happened to you or to one of |
| payment due to accidents. Don't feel embarrassed or | | | | your colleagues, is not optional but an obligation - and |
| shy to do so either - if you don't ask, you don't get! | | | | your company will probably thank you for it in the long |
| Depending on the type of accident, your employer | | | | run. |
| may also have to report the accident to the Incident | | | | |