Health and safety requirements when someone has an accident

Details of all work-related accidents or incidents that have harmed or might have harmed any person must be recorded in an accident register. This includes accidents or incidents involving employees, self-employed people, customers and other visitors to a place of work.

When a work-related accident results in serious harm:

• Make sure anyone injured or suspected of injury has received first aid or medical attention if necessary.
• Do NOT interfere with the accident scene, unless:
  o An Department of Labour health and safety inspector has given permission,
  o It is necessary to save someone's life or prevent harm or suffering to them,
  o It is necessary to maintain access by the general public to an essential service or utility, or
  o It is necessary to prevent serious damage to property.
• Advise the local Department of Labour health and safety office as soon as possible by phone or fax.
• Carry out / co-operate with any subsequent investigation.
• Mail or fax written notice to the nearest Department of Labour health and safety office within 7 days. The written notice can use the Accident or Serious Harm Form or else must contain the same details as this form.
• Keep the original (or a copy) written notice in the accident register. If the accident register is kept in a different form, the same details must be recorded.
• Take steps to eliminate, isolate or minimise any identified hazard, once a Inspector gives permission to interfere with the accident scene.

For more information go to:

• Definition of Serious Harm
• Recording and reporting accidents
• Accident Register and Form for Notification of Serious Harm
• Contacting Department of Labour health and safety regional offices
• Emergencies and Incident Investigation for Small Business