What to do after an accident, from first response to SGK notification, from root-cause analysis to corrective action.
When a work accident occurs, panic in the first minutes is natural; but every step taken in the following hours and days protects both the injured person and the employer legally. This guide summarises the steps to follow in the first three working days after an accident.
1. First response and safety
First aid is given to the injured person first and 112 is called if needed. The accident scene is secured; machines are stopped, electricity cut and the risk of a second accident removed. Photographs of the scene are taken and the equipment is left as it is. Items that count as evidence are not changed.
2. Inform the physician and specialist
The safety specialist and workplace physician are informed at once. The physician records medical information about the injured person's condition under the duty of medical confidentiality; the specialist makes a first inspection at the scene.
3. Notifying SGK: three working days
A work accident must be notified by the employer to SGK within three working days of the date of the event at the latest. The same period runs for occupational disease from the day the disease is learned. If the period is missed an administrative fine applies. Notification is made electronically via the SGK system; your OSGB supports this step.
4. Witness statements and the incident report
Statements from workers who saw the accident are taken in writing. Time, place, work being done, equipment and PPE used, environmental conditions and the nature of the injury are recorded. This information is the basis of the accident investigation report.
5. Root-cause analysis
Instead of "Whose fault?", the question asked is "Why did it happen?". Using 5 Whys or a fishbone method the root cause (technical, organisational, human factor) is determined. The risk assessment is reviewed in light of this accident.
6. Corrective and preventive action
For each root cause a responsible person, date and measure are set. When measures are complete, verification is carried out. We look at whether the same kind of accident could happen in other departments; measures are extended to similar machines.
7. Communication with the worker
Open communication is kept with the injured worker and their family; support is given in hospital and sick-leave processes. After the accident a short briefing meeting informs the other workers of the measures taken.
How does the OSGB help?
At the moment of an accident you can reach our specialist by phone and get support with the SGK notification and the accident report. The "Accidents and near-misses" section of the portal stores your records and turns them into statistics.
Post-accident checklist
Was first aid given and 112 called? Was the scene secured? Were the specialist and physician informed? Was the SGK notification sent within three working days? Were witness statements taken? Was a root-cause analysis planned? Posting these six questions on a board that everyone in your workplace can see reduces the thinking load at the moment of an accident.