How Do I Report an Accident at Work?

Get medical help first

If you need urgent medical attention, call 999 or 112, or attend the nearest emergency department. Your health comes first. If it is a serious incident, there will be reporting obligations for the employer, so early notification is important.

Tell your employer as soon as possible

Report the accident to your supervisor, manager, or the person responsible for health and safety at your workplace. Citizens Information recommends reporting the accident to your employer, who then has the responsibility of reporting it to the Health and Safety Authority, if it is serious enough to warrant doing so.

Make sure the incident is recorded

Ask for the accident to be recorded in the workplace accident book or incident reporting system.

If there is no formal system, or if you are concerned it will not be recorded accurately, create your own written record and keep a copy. Include:

• the date and time of the accident,
• the exact location,
• what happened, and what caused it,
• the names and contact details of witnesses,
• photographs of the area, equipment, or hazard, where appropriate, and
• details of any first aid or medical treatment received.

It is also useful to keep copies of any messages about the incident, and to keep receipts for expenses such as prescriptions, travel, and physiotherapy.

Report a near miss or dangerous occurrence too

Even where nobody is injured, reporting near misses and dangerous occurrences is good practice. It can help your employer identify hazards and prevent more serious accidents later.

When must an accident be reported to the Health and Safety Authority?

In Ireland, employers and self-employed persons have legal obligations to report certain workplace accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Authority.

Injuries that must be reported

The Health and Safety Authority online reporting guidance states that an injury must be reported where the injured employee is unable to carry out normal work for more than three consecutive days, excluding the day of the accident.

Time limits for reporting to the Health and Safety Authority

Health and Safety Authority guidance indicates that:

• following a fatal accident, the employer must inform the Health and Safety Authority immediately, and then submit the formal report within the required timeframe, and
• non-fatal accidents and dangerous occurrences should generally be reported within 10 working days.

If you are unsure whether your accident is reportable, you can ask your employer what steps they have taken, and you can seek legal advice.

How does an employer report an accident to the Health and Safety Authority?

The Health and Safety Authority has an online accident reporting system and also makes forms available for reporting.

In practice, an employer will usually need information such as:

• the injured person’s details and job role,
• the date, time, and location of the incident,
• what happened, and the suspected cause,
• the injury sustained, and medical treatment received, and
• the number of days the person is unable to do normal work duties.

What if your employer does not take the report seriously?

If your employer does not record the accident, or you are concerned about how it is being handled:

• send a clear written account by email to your manager, HR, or the safety officer, and keep a copy,
• request a copy of the incident record where possible,
• speak to your safety representative, if one is appointed, and
• keep your own evidence, including photographs, witness details, and medical records.

If there is an ongoing risk, you can also seek guidance from the Health and Safety Authority.

Reporting and making a claim are different steps

Reporting the accident is about creating an accurate record and helping to prevent further harm. If you later decide to seek compensation, most personal injury claims in Ireland must first be made to the Injuries Resolution Board, subject to limited exceptions.

Require assistance with bringing a claim?

If you have already decided that you would like to bring a compensation claim following an accident at work, and you would like legal advice in starting the process, you can arrange a free consultation with a personal injury solicitor here at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP. Simply complete our quick and confidential online form.