Most people need to work in order to pay their bills. At the same time, many workplaces can actually be dangerous for the worker. While the workplace is actually getting safer in Australia, many workers face all sorts of risks simply by going to work. This is why all workers should be aware of what they need to do in the event of a work accident. Proper attention to procedures and an understanding of how best to respond offers many benefits. Workers who get prompt medical attention are more likely to recover from an injury. They’re also more likely to get a response for their workers compensation claims if they have completed all necessary steps related to an accident at work in a timely manner. These simple steps will help any worker make sure that all is done properly even after a serious accident at work.
Contact a Doctor
A minor slip may initially seem unimportant. However, even minor falls can have serious consequences. An injury of any kind may take several hours to be obvious. This is why it is best to contact a doctor as soon as possible even if the injury appears to be minor. Any company should have a list of medical professionals that can come to the workplace if needed. A doctor can examine the patient and determine if there are any injuries that need further attention. In the event of a more serious workplace accident, it’s best to contact help as soon as the accident is noted. Bringing an ambulance to the scene can help ward off more serious medical issues and make sure that all workers receive the prompt medical treatment required by workplace laws.
Secure the Area
The area where the accident happened needs to be secured. No one should be allowed there unless authorized. It’s a good idea to take lots of photographs if possible to indicate what the scene looked like in the immediate aftermath. Documentation can help indicate if there was negligence present on the part of the owners and employers. It can also make sure any conditions that led to the accident in the first place are remedied as soon as possible. Any machinery that isn’t working properly needs to be shut down immediately in order to avoid further accidents. This process should be highly documented at every turn, allowing any examiner to see what steps were taken to prevent any additional accidents and protect any remaining workers.
Begin an Investigation
Once workers have begun receiving any necessary medical treatment, any employer should begin the process of onsite investigation. An investigation should have several components. The employer needs to find out exactly what happened and why. They also need to know if this issue can arise again. All workers present on the scene at the time should be interviewed and have their interview formally recorded. Workers should also have the opportunity to explain what they think went wrong. Any adjacent areas next to the accident should also be carefully examined in order to see if there were factors there that contributed to the accident in some way.
The Injured Party
Anyone who has been injured in any kind of workplace accident should also take certain steps to protect their self-interest. Once they’ve received initial treatment and can function without immediate, ongoing, incapacitating pain, many people will find there are people trying to contact them about the accident. There may be investigators from the government that want to know what happened and gets their voices in person. Anyone facing a workplace injury should think carefully about their next step. Hiring a lawyer such as from Foyle legal can be very useful. Even a minor injury can have lasting consequences. For example, someone may have injured their shoulder. Going forward, this can make it hard for the person to raise their arms. If they are required to repeatedly lift their arms at work, an injury of this kind can make it harder for them to function on the job. This is why anyone who has any sort of injury should be aware of the kind of steps they might need to take going forward.
Medical Care
Medical care may be immediate and ongoing, or a combination of both as the injured party continues in the aftermath of the accident. Bills can also pile up. Anyone who has been in a workplace accident should find out if they are eligible for compensation in some way. Compensation can take many forms in the aftermath of workplace accident. An injured party may be eligible for a lump sum intended to help them get on their feet and compensate them for a permanent injury. They may also be eligible for other forms of compensation. For example, if the injured party is unable to work for a period of time, they may be able to apply for disability insurance, a lawyer can help the applicant figure out the ideal way to make such an application and make sure it is done properly the first time.
Additional Steps
An investigation may reveal many kinds of workplace issues that led to a workplace accident. The employer may not have been following all necessary safety procedures. An employer may also have failed to warn workers about specific issues on the job and offer them the training they needed to avoid injury. In cases where there was a major accident, government officials may begin a formal investigation into the circumstances of the accident in order to determine if the supervisors and company owners accidentally or even deliberately endangered their workers and can be held liable. In that case, the worker may be called upon to give formal testimony about the circumstances of the accident to a government worker or even in court. A worker who can receive compensation should also expect to be called upon for testimony by those in charge of determining if they are eligible for compensation.
