Accidents at work happen more often than we would like. Regardless of the industry or position, any employee can find himself or herself in a situation where he or she is injured on the job site. What to do then? How and where to report an accident to avoid the hassle of paperwork and protect your rights? Both the employee and the employer have clearly defined tasks in such situations. Proper reporting of an accident is necessary for the whole procedure to go quickly and smoothly. We provide the most relevant information!
How and where to report an accident at work?
An accident at work is an unexpected event related to the performance of professional duties, caused by an external factor, which results in injury or death of the employee. An accident at work can be considered an incident if it occurred during the performance of standard work tasks, on the instructions of a superior, in a situation where the employee was acting on behalf of the employer without an explicit order, as well as when the incident occurred while the employee was at the disposal of the employer - for example, while moving between the company's headquarters and the place where the tasks were performed, or during a business trip on behalf of the company.
Any such incident that ends in a workplace injury is not only a moment of horror, but also an obligation to report the incident. It may seem like filling out paperwork is just an added hassle, but well-drafted documentation is the key to ensuring safety - both for the injured party and the rest of the team.
The first step is to write down in detail - by the employee and witnesses - information about the incident: the date, location and a description that captures the incident as accurately as possible. Sometimes it is the details that can help prevent similar situations in the future.
Moreover, immediately inform your supervisor. Not only the applicable regulations, but also common sense dictate that a quick response can determine the course of the entire process.
Reporting an accident should be a formality carried out without unnecessary delays - every minute matters. Who knows, maybe thanks to your efficiency other employees will avoid similar risks in the future?
What if there is a fatal accident?
Tragic accidents at work are situations that each of us would like to avoid. Unfortunately, sometimes incidents occur that end in the worst possible scenario. In such a situation, the employer must act immediately - notifying the district labor inspector and the prosecutor. Immediate reaction and informing the relevant services are key here in order to conduct a thorough investigation.
Every detail is at a premium in such a case. Securing evidence from the scene, accurate documentation and diligence in taking minutes will help clarify the causes of the tragedy. Every effort should be made to ensure that no element is overlooked - this is important both to establish liability and to prevent similar situations in the future.
Accident at work - employer's responsibilities
After every accident at work, even one that seems harmless at first glance, the employer has an obligation to prepare an accident report. This is a detailed document, which must include information about the course of the incident and a description of the injuries sustained by the employee.
This protocol is necessary for the notification to be formally submitted to the relevant institutions - the Labor Office and the Social Insurance Institution. Only in this way is it possible to initiate a compensation procedure that will provide financial support to the injured party.
Accuracy and diligence in drawing up such a document are essential. Any mistake or oversight can slow down further action and even delay the payment of benefits due.
It must also provide first aid to the injured and take measures to eliminate or reduce the danger and take measures to prevent similar situations in the future.
What accidents must the employer report?
The employer must notify the district labor inspector in charge of the region of any work-related accident if it resulted in death, serious bodily injury or if the accident was collective, that is, it involved at least two people.
In the case of a fatal accident, notification applies if the worker died within six months of the incident. A serious accident, on the other hand, means serious damage to health, such as loss of senses (sight, hearing), irreversible damage to the body, the development of a chronic disease, life-threatening, permanent health problems that prevent further work in the profession, as well as visible and permanent disfigurement.
In addition, the employer must report such an accident to the public prosecutor. Failure to report to the labor inspector or prosecutor is a misdemeanor, for which he can be fined from 1,000 to even 30,000 zlotys.
By what date is the employer required to report an accident at work?
The employer should report the accident as soon as possible, without undue delay - Polish regulations do not specify a specific deadline. However, you should be aware that each day of delay in preparing an accident report can lead to complications in determining the causes of the incident, as well as delays in the payment of benefits for an accident at work.
Take care of every step of the accident reporting procedure and, above all, make sure that you perform your duties under safe conditions!
