When someone is hurt at work, the first hour matters, but so do the days and weeks that follow. This checklist covers what an employer or manager should do after an accident at work, in order.
Straight away
1. Make the area safe
Stop the work, isolate machinery or power if needed, and keep other people away so nobody else is hurt.
2. Give first aid and call for help
Get your first aider or appointed person to the scene. Call 999 if the injury is serious. Not sure you have enough first-aid cover? Use our first aider calculator.
3. Preserve the scene for serious incidents
After a serious accident, leave the scene as it is once it is safe, apart from what is needed to help the injured person. Take photos. The HSE or your insurer may want to see it.
The same day
4. Record it in the accident book
Record who was hurt, when, where, what happened and the injury. See accident book entry examples and who should fill it in.
5. Get witness details
Take names and contact details, and ask witnesses to write down what they saw while it is fresh.
6. Check whether it is RIDDOR reportable
Deaths, specified injuries, dangerous occurrences and non-workers taken directly to hospital for treatment must be reported without delay. Use the free RIDDOR checker to decide, and see RIDDOR examples.
In the following days
7. Tell your insurer
Most employers must have employers’ liability insurance. Check your policy and tell your insurer promptly about accidents that could lead to a claim. Insurers usually ask you not to admit liability without speaking to them first.
8. Track time off work
If the worker is off, or cannot do their normal work, for more than 7 consecutive days, not counting the day of the accident, it becomes reportable within 15 days of the accident.
9. Investigate
Find out why it happened, not just what happened, and agree actions to stop it happening again. Our free accident investigation form takes you through it.
10. Update your risk assessment
An accident is a clear sign that a control was not working. Review the risk assessment for the task or area and tell the people affected about any changes.
Looking after your employee
- Keep in touch while they are off, and check whether they are entitled to statutory sick pay or company sick pay.
- Plan a safe return to work, including any temporary adjustments.
- Treat them fairly. Reporting an accident, or making a claim, must not lead to them being treated worse.
Keep the records
Keep accident book entries and records of RIDDOR-reportable incidents for at least three years. Personal injury claims can usually be made up to three years after an accident, and for children until three years after they turn 18.
The checklist at a glance
- Make the area safe
- Give first aid and call for help
- Preserve the scene if it is serious
- Record it in the accident book
- Get witness details
- Check RIDDOR and report if needed
- Tell your insurer
- Track time off work
- Investigate
- Update your risk assessment
Accident Book covers steps 4 to 10 in one place: QR reporting, witness statements, RIDDOR checks with deadlines, and investigation notes and follow-ups.