Responding to an Accident

Depending on the situation, you may or may not need all the steps listed below, but you should follow this outline in nearly all situations:

  1. Get to a safe place Regardless of the situation, getting to a safe place after an accident will help prevent any additional accidents of injuries from occurring. This will allow you to assess the situation and proceed.
  2. Assess the situation Is anyone injured? Has any property been damaged? Do you need to call 999? Answering these basic questions will determine your next steps.
  3. Call for help In any case of injury, getting professional help immediately will minimise the risks of the situation and prevent injuries from getting worse. Know your limits. If anything beyond very simple first aid is required, always get professionals involved right away.
  4. Assist the injured Provide first aid where possible; stabilise those with major injuries.
  5. Get information Record the details of the accident while they are fresh in your mind. Time can change the way you view the situation and your memory of it, so write down all information immediately. Get contact information from others involved whenever possible and witness statements.
  6. Keep the evidence Never destroy potential evidence in an attempt to prevent further accidents. Always keep people away from potentially hazardous equipment, but do not discard or destroy it.
  7. Prevent further accidents Following an accident, you should quickly take action to assess the situation to prevent any further injuries.
  8. Follow up File the appropriate paperwork as required in your health and safety file and inform the insurance company if necessary.
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