Accidents in the workplace can take a terrible toll, both in terms of economic cost and human suffering. Most are preventable and they can lead to compensation claims or other forms of legal action, including formal enforcement action by the enforcing authority.
Accidents at work involving employees or members of the public should always be recorded in the workplace accident book.
Certain injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases are required to be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). Advice on what to report, how to do it and to whom may be found at the RIDDOR incident website.