What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work?

AI Overview: What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work?

If you’re asking What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work, the answer is clear: act fast, record everything, report where required, and support your employees.

  1. Provide first aid and secure the area – Ensure the injured worker gets medical help immediately and remove any hazards to keep others safe.
  2. Record the accident properly – Log full details in the workplace accident book, including witness statements and treatment given.
  3. Report to the authorities if necessary – Under RIDDOR, serious accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
  4. Support the injured employee – Keep in touch, discuss sick pay, and show genuine care for their recovery.
  5. Investigate and prevent recurrence – Identify the cause, fix safety gaps, and update policies or training.
  6. Understand legal and HR duties – Employers have a duty of care; compliance avoids penalties and builds trust with staff.

As DS Bal, founder of Claim Today, often advises: handling accidents correctly protects both your employees and your business.

Wonder What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work? Step-by-step guide for employers, HR, and managers to meet legal duties and protect employees.

At Claim Today, founded by DS Bal in 1999, we have seen first-hand how important it is for employers to know exactly What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work. Workplace accidents are somewhat unpredictable and when accidents do occur, the critical thought that goes through every employer’s mind is ‘What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work.’ Taking the correct steps protects the employee, satisfies the employer’s legal duties, and provides for a safe workplace.

What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work?

The very step in answering what an employer should do after an accident at work is to protect the injured person. Employers should:

  • Offer immediate first aid or call emergency services.
  • Remove hazards to prevent further harm.
  • Secure the workplace to prevent accidents from recurring.

Quick action shows care while fulfilling your duty of care.

Record the Incident Properly

When considering what an employer should do after an accident at work is recording the accident. Employers should log details in the accident book, that includes:

  • Time , date, and location of the accident.
  • Nature of the injury and treatment given.
  • Names of witnesses.

For protection of both employees and the business in the event of claims, the report should be accurate.

See our guide: How To Write An Accident Report At Work.

Report to the Authorities

Employers must also be aware of their reporting requirements. Under the RIDDOR legislation, specific incidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A key component of What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work is knowing when an injury or illness is a reportable injury or illness.

HSE- Report an incident.

Support the Employee

A vital part of What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work is offering support. Employers should:

  • Stay in contact with the injured worker.
  • Provide guidance on sick pay and recovery.
  • Show concern and commitment to their wellbeing.

Clear communication builds trust and reduces the chance of disputes.

Investigate and Prevent Future Incident

Another essential step is investigating the cause. Employers should:

  • Analyse what went wrong.
  • Take corrective measures such as updated training or new equipment.
  • Review health and safety policies.

For more on responsibilities, see: Who Is Responsible For Reporting Accidents At Work?.

Understand Legal and HR Duties

Employers must also fulfil their legal responsibilities. What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work includes:

  • Ensuring compliance with workplace safety laws.
  • Keeping internal HR policies up to date.
  • Cooperating with solicitors if an employee makes a claim.

By meeting these duties, employers protect both staff and the company.

Don’t Delay , Claim Today !

  • We offer help in 17+language 
  • £8.5m recovered (and counting) for our clients
  • Establishes 1999- Decades of Trusted Service
  • Accredited by the SRA & Law Society

FAQs

How does communication fit into What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work?

Employers must maintain contact with the injured employee, explain sick pay, and provide reassurance about workplace safety.

Do all workplace accidents need to be reported?

Not all, but under RIDDOR, serious incidents such as fractures, hospitalisations, or dangerous occurrences must be reported to HSE.

Why is recording important in What Should An Employer Do After An Accident At Work

Recording ensures legal compliance, supports investigations, and protects both employer and employee in case of claims.

What should an employer do immediately after an accident at work?

An employer should provide first aid, remove hazards, and ensure the injured person receives medical attention.

 

Phone: 0800 29 800 29
Email: contacts@company.com
254 Walt Whitman Road Brooklyn, NY 11219
MON-FRI 09:00 - 19:00, SAT-SUN 10:00 - 14:00

Contact

Phone: + 1 800 755 60 20
Email: info@claimtoday.com
Unit 2, Avenue Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4DY

About Author

Written by DS Bal, solicitor admitted 1997. Founder of Legal 500 Leading Firm Claim Today
Solicitors and Legal TV (UK’s first interactive legal channel). Cabinet Office Customer Service
Excellence Award winner. Over 30 years helping injury victims across England and Wales. £8.6
million recovered in a single year. Available in 17+ languages.