Accidents
From slips and falls to chemical exposure, manual handling injuries and physical assaults, workplace accidents impact thousands of workers across the UK every year.
No workplace is entirely risk free, but it is every employer’s responsibility to make sure that the potential for accidents at work is eliminated or minimised.
If you are injured at work, you may have a legal case against your employer. Get in touch with your UNISON rep for advice and support.
On this page
Responsibility for health and safety in the workplace
Your employer has two main responsibilities when it comes to preventing accidents in the workplace:
- They should take measures to protect anyone in the workplace from harm (including visitors and customers).
- They should inform the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (or in certain situations, the local authority) in the case of specific incidents including accidents that prevent workers from returning to work for seven days or more.
It is an employer’s duty to conduct risk assessments, offer appropriate health and safety training, conduct emergency planning and provide adequate first aid.
All workers are also responsibility for health and safety at work and must make sure they work safely and do not put themselves or others at risk.
If you have an accident
If you have an accident at work, you must make sure you:
- record it in the accident book;
- check that your employer has reported it to the HSE or local authority (if appropriate);
- report any associated risks or ongoing problems to your employer;
- tell your safety representative or steward.
If the risk or hazard that caused your accident is not addressed, then contact your UNISON safety rep (via your branch, who can advise you on the next course of action.
Reporting accidents
The HSE requires every employer to report certain types of incidents, including:
- A death in the workplace.
- Fractures other than to the fingers, thumb or toes.
- Dangerous situations such as a building collapse or some gas leaks.
- Any injury that prevents an employee working for seven or more days.
- Certain diseases.
If you have an accident that requires reporting and your employer hasn’t informed the HSE or local authority, if appropriate, they may be putting lives at risk and they are breaking the law.
Sick pay
If you become ill at work, you have the right to sick pay. This could be either occupational sick pay or statutory sick pay. Details of your occupational sick pay (if any) are listed in your employment contract.
If you do not have company (ie occupational) sick pay, your employer must pay you statutory sick pay, generally from the fourth full day of absence from work. This applies if you:
- earn £125 per week or more on average;
- are on sick leave for more than three consecutive days – this includes weekends and days you would not usually work.
Claiming for an injury at work
If you think your employer is to blame for an injury sustained at work, contact your UNISON rep, who can take you through the next steps.
If you make a claim, you are likely to require legal assistance. UNISON can support you with this and can supply legal services. Remember to act quickly, as claims must be made within three years of the incident.
Your employer must have liability insurance for this kind of claim and must display a copy of the certificate of insurance at the workplace or make it available in electronic form or, in certain circumstances, provide a copy upon request.
Legal disclaimer
The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.