Reporting a Workplace Accident in Ten Steps

Freddie Silver reports:

"Consult colleagues to examine samples of a completed workplace accident report so you can see what an accepted format looks like...Establish a workplace policy where all accidents must be reported immediately, regardless of the seriousness of the injury and whether the worker appears to be in pain. Some people might have a delayed reaction to what appeared to be a minor injury, and experience headaches, back pain or sleep disturbances several hours or even days after certain types of accidents...Record all necessary information in the report, such as date, time and precise location of the accident...Be concise. Don't include irrelevant information such as similar previous accidents that might have occurred in that place...Identify what the injured worker was doing at the time...This will be useful for insurance purposes...Identify who else was present at the time of the accident. Include full names and contact phone numbers for all witnesses...Describe the cause of injury...Describe the injury sustained and any visible signs of the injury...Indicate whether medical attention was needed and where it was given. State whether the worker was taken to [the] hospital by ambulance, [was] driven there by a co-worker or drove herself to the doctor. Attach a medical report if and when one is available...Date the report and have it signed by someone in a management position as well as the injured worker, when possible...Make at least three copies of the report. File one in the location of the accident, send one to head office and give one to the injured employee...Organize a safety committee to regularly examine conditions in the workplace. Routinely review safety procedures with all employees...Avoid editorial comments such as, 'It's obvious that it's dangerous to continue using the old equipment ...' Avoid blame such as, 'Mr. X has been told several times to not lift any heavy boxes ...'"