Trips, slips or falls what do we need to do if this happens in our Nursery?

There have been one or two calls recently where employees have suffered mishaps in the Nursery. What needs to be done when someone suffers an injury at work?

First, tend to the person and ensure they get the right treatment. Call for the first aider to render assistance as is appropriate.

All that’s been done, what more does the nursery need to do?

RIDDOR – the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations will require employers to do certain things.

An employer must keep an accident book.

Accidents must be recorded but not reported where they result in a worker being incapacitated for more than 3 consecutive days.

Accidents that result in an employee, worker or self-employed person being away from work, or unable to perform their normal duties, for more than 7 consecutive days have to be reported. This seven-day period does not include the day of the accident but does include weekends and rest days. The report must be made within 15 days of the accident.

There is a list of specific injuries that require employers to inform the authorities, but these are of a serious nature such as breaks and fractures but not those to fingers, thumbs, toes, burns and scalds and where there is a loss of consciousness due to head trauma.

But what if an injury occurs, do we inform under RIDDOR just to be on the safe side? No, there is no need to make a precautionary report until a diagnosis is established. If it is indicated that the person is going to be off more than 7 days, a report should be made and updated when the diagnosis becomes available.

Accidents to members of the public or others who are not at work must be reported if it results in them going directly from the accident to hospital for treatment to that injury. Examinations and diagnostic tests do not constitute ‘treatment’ in such circumstances.

Remember to notify your insurers!

We can recommend an excellent course that will provide you with the knowledge that you need to feel confident in this area.

If you need any assistance managing any aspect of employee wellbeing please give us a call 01527 909436.