• You are here :
• Loyalty Law
• » Accidents in England & Wales
• » Articles

Why Is It Necessary To Have An Accident Book?

If you are an employer you might want to know whether you need to have an accident book and if so, why it is necessary to have one. This article explores exactly this issue and your responsibilities.

What Is An Accident Book?

An accident book confirms all the details of an accident occuring on your premises. This will include the date and time of the accident, the person injured, the nature of the injuries and the cause of the accident (how it happened).

Legal Responsibilities

All employers are required to keep an accident book on premises to record severe injuries. However, in practice is advisable to record all injuries sustained on your premises. The legislation "Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurances Regulations 1995" ( R. I. D.D.O.R) state certain types of accidents which must be reported. However, it is worthwhile reporting all forms of accidents.

Types Of Accidents Which Must Be Reported

The types of accidents which must be entered in the accident workbook and reported include the following:

• Any injury that stops an employee doing their normal work for a period of 3 days or more.
• Major injuries such as broken arms, ribs, legs, etc.
• Death
• Diseases
• Dangerous instance occuring at work such as machinery breaking, scaffolding colapsing and any other appliances defecting and causing damage.

Risk Assessment

Your employers are required to carry out a risk assessment of your workplace to ensure that they take adequate protection and to keep you from harm and free from injuries whilst you are carrying out your normal daily activities. This should also include a review of the type of first aid equipment that is required on the premises along with training of sufficient first aiders to carry out any treatment following an accident.

Conclusion

If you sustained any injury at work you should ask your employer to make a note of it the accident book. This will ensure that they are monitoring the safety of working practices at your place of work and will also allow you to use this as evidence of the injury being sustained during your working time. This might be helpful for sick claims and also for any compensation claim you decide to pursue following your accident.

Share This Article With:

Why not try our service?

Why not make a free enquiry now by contacting us in one of the following ways to find out if and how much you can claim (no cost and no obligation to proceed, we are here to help):-

1. Arrange for us to call you back – » Click To Request A Call Back.
2. Call us free on 0800 142 2775 between the hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 8am to 5.30pm on Sunday; or
3. Provide us with some details and one of our Loyalty Law solicitors will be in touch with you – make a Quick Enquiry now.