Whether you are running a company of your own or you are simply a member of staff, you want to know what you should be doing in the event of a workplace accident. This way, you are going to be able to respond in the most proactive way possible and you will not be left flapping around without a clue of what you should be doing. So, here are a few tips and tricks that can get you through to the other side of this situation in a successful manner.
Ensure the Scene is Safe first
The first thing anyone should do is to make sure the scene is safe and that there is no further risk. The first impulse for many is to rush in and help the injured party but this can lead to a worse situation. Equipment should be turned off, people removed from an at-risk area (such as where objects might fall) and the emergency services called (if needed). After all, the more people that become injured along the way, the more your potential problems multiply and keep on getting worse.
Attend to the Injured
Once the area is safe and there isn’t a further risk to anyone, the priority is to deal with the injured person. If there is a suspected injury to the spine or head, the injured person shouldn’t be moved unless they are in immediate danger – in which case getting them to safety takes priority. There should always be some trained first aiders who are on site and able to assess the injury and plan any action that needs to be taken.
Complete All Necessary Accident Logs
When the injured person is receiving the treatment that they require, it is then going to be the time to ensure that all of the needed accident logs are completed. This is essentially paperwork to record what has happened and may be needed in the event that any legal issues arise as a direct result of this. Ultimately, make sure that you complete them in the most thorough way that you possibly are able to, it is also best to complete them as close as possible to the point of the accident so that it is fresh in people’s memories.
Make Any Necessary Changes
If you are involved in setting the workplace health and safety policies, there is no doubt that you should be looking to make any and every possible change that could prevent this from becoming a problem again. Every employee should look out for their own safety as well – if something does not look safe or there needs to be a change, it should be documented and highlighted with management.
Follow Up with Any Legal Challenges
You should look into getting legal advice with a specialist company, such as the Rawlins firm they will be able to help you with any problems that might arise and ensure that your company and its employees are protected now and in the future.
These are the basic steps that you can take that can all end up making a major difference to your workplace accident response policies. Ultimately, you need to be proactive in doing this to protect your business and your employees.
