Fell down flight of stairs accident at work advice please!

dickydonkin

Treadway1 wrote: »

I think I can see something that others may not have done here. I dont think that the OP is in any way asking whether he/she should claim.

What I think they're getting at (and I think if we all put ourselves in their postition, we'd think the same) is that after having the accident someone has give them the accident book to sign which is normal enough, but because it seems so normal (because of course you would normally just sign it, right) it then seems strange that they're given the option not to sign it if they dont want to. Further to this, then, the H&S bod comes looking for the OP later chasing them up on their decision as to whether they will sign it or not as the managers want to know. Again, I think anyone would be a little suspicious if their employer started sending people to ask questions re this type of incident. Surely you could all understand why that would start somebody wondering what the management might be thinking.

Yes, there may be a number of H&S experts out there who know the very letter of the law and exactly what should and shouldnt be done and when, but lets bring it back down to a personal level. Someone is simply asking if there is anything strange about signing (or not signing) the accident book AS THEY DO NOT KNOW THEMSELVES.

Unfortunately, there are too many on here that are immediately ready to clamber up the moral high ground to sound off about how loathesome our compensation culture has become (and I know there are many ready to grab cash where they can for any minor knock, so can also understand why it might get peoples back up), but really, all the OP wanted was a simple answer as to whether he/she should be concerned about their bosses intentions.

Now, lets all just try and get along shall we.

I thought I had brought it down to a personal level in so much that the OP was obviously concerned about signing a document and I personally attempted to explain as to why there is nothing sinister in it and correcting a previous post that stated that accident reports are a specific requirement of the HASWA.

As for the suspicions relating to her boss pursuing her, as I explained, it may be a company requirement under their accident reporting procedure and it is possible that he is attempting to fulfil the company requirement and wanting closure.

Someone is simply asking if there is anything strange about signing (or not signing) the accident book AS THEY DO NOT KNOW THEMSELVES.

Well of course the OP did not know - that is why the question was asked in the first place. I suspect the OP posted on here in the hope of clarification of the situation and as I have dealt with people in similar circumstances, I thought that I would attempt to explain.

but really, all the OP wanted was a simple answer as to whether he/she should be concerned about their bosses intentions.

To which I responded from a H&S context and personal experience. The OP would just be signing a true account of the incident. I just fail to see what sinister intentions there can be from management by signing a true version of an incident.

I would suggest that the priority should be to determine the causation of the incident although that would depend on how thorough the accident reporting is where the incident occurred.

Kajimba

bethg2009 wrote: »

Think I'll be going to doctors in the morning, there's blood in my water - not good sign.

Any news on this? Are you ok?

laurz121

bethg2009, I'm no expert though I have had a few accidents at work (it was a job in which we all took a few risks that we shouldnt have to be fair and everyone had an accident every couple of years) and each time my manager or supervisor has filled in the accident book, sometimes while I was there with him and on one or two occasions when I havent been there (hospital like yourself) and every time I've been told to read what it says and sign it if I want to but also told that I didnt have to. I've always signed it because I agreed with what was written. Though I have to admit it wasnt always the truth, my manager would be creative with the story to cover my !!!!.

Anyway the point is that being told I didnt have to sign if I didn't want to was perfectly normal and I think was because if I did sign it and then decided I didnt agree and tried to sue they would then be able to say 'well we gave them the option not to sign'. Nothing more than the company giving you the choice so that they cannot be accused of forcing you to sign.

I'd say that HR or management asking you to decide by the end of the day was probably just so that they could file the report at the end of the day rather than having it sitting around on a desk and possibly getting lost or something.

I wouldn't worry about the company giving you the option or asking you to tell them either way, if you agree with the report you might as well sign it as it will help the company out and possibly yourself if you ever need it again.

I hope you get well soon anyway

chocsessential

bethg2009 wrote: »

I haven't told them that I'm not going to sign it, it's just the fact that he told me I could if I wanted to however didn't have to, got me confused. Why make me aware I don't have to??

I'm an ex-union rep but I cannot see why you shouldn't sign. Maybe they didn't want to put you under pressure so left the decision to you. I think you should sign anyway.

pinkshoes

So long as the report is factual and you agree with it, then I don't see the issue with signing it.

dickydonkin

pinkshoes wrote: »

So long as the report is factual and you agree with it, then I don't see the issue with signing it.

Absolutely - but another thought came to mind which I think all employers should consider.

Obviously, the OP was not aware of the accident procedures where the incident took place, and the reality is many people only find out is when they have been involved in an incident themselves.

This is not ideal because it can hinder investigations and worse - delay treatment for any injured personnel.

I believe it is always good practice to inform staff either at the induction stage of their employment or by team briefs.

Having an established procedure providing information to everyone would remove the ambiguity of accident reports and legislation relating to them.

BTW - I hope the OP is recovering from the ordeal.

Mrs_Optimist

OP hope you are ok.

Agree with other posters, read the accident book and sign it ONLY if you agree with contents. I didn't get the impression that the OP was going to sue, just that she wasn't sure what the procedure was.

You are lucky that your employers have a procedure in place and have liaised with you about your accident. A colleague of DH was electrocuted this week, at work, because of corners being cut and as per their procedures a phone number was called (works for a large company) and the incident reported. When the Manager found out he was livid that it had been reported as per procedure and not to him, presumably so he could sweep it under the carpet.

That is the sort of post (and employer) I would be concerned about.

OP please post back to let us know you are ok.

jamesd

bethg2009 wrote: »

I think I have just missed the first top step, there is a handrail which has been broken and repaired a few times the wall is cracked and replastered and new screws sticking out slightly, I was holding the rail on the right and was carrying my bag on my left shoulder.

Concern about the handrail, repairs and screws would be a reason why an unscrupulous employer might want you to sign an account that didn't mention those facts.

It's worth checking that there are no signs that the screws caught on your clothing of bag and considering whether the condition of the handrail meant that you used it, used one on the other side or whether tis been damaged in any way when you fell, perhaps giving way as you tried to use it to stop your fall.

That is: don't eliminate the chance that something about the top of the stairs was a factor. Check to be sure that those things really weren't part of it, since after a bad fall like that you're not going to be in the best condition to remember fine details like whether you were distracted by your clothing catching on something.

Your employer may well be seeking nothing more or less than a completely accurate description, just check before signing to be sure you didn't miss anything. If you explain to your employer that you're still shaky and not yet emotionally up to checking that nothing caught on the nails after the frightening event they should be understanding about a delay of a few days.

Ask to sign a very short description that says nothing other than that you fell down the stairs, without saying whether anything was or wasn't a factor, and without saying that the description is complete, if they want something fast, before you've checked the facts.

Best wishes for your recovery!

dickydonkin

jamesd wrote: »

Concern about the handrail, repairs and screws would be a reason why an unscrupulous employer might want you to sign an account that didn't mention those facts.

It's worth checking that there are no signs that the screws caught on your clothing of bag and considering whether the condition of the handrail meant that you used it, used one on the other side or whether tis been damaged in any way when you fell, perhaps giving way as you tried to use it to stop your fall.

That is: don't eliminate the chance that something about the top of the stairs was a factor. Check to be sure that those things really weren't part of it, since after a bad fall like that you're not going to be in the best condition to remember fine details like whether you were distracted by your clothing catching on something.

Your employer may well be seeking nothing more or less than a completely accurate description, just check before signing to be sure you didn't miss anything. If you explain to your employer that you're still shaky and not yet emotionally up to checking that nothing caught on the nails after the frightening event they should be understanding about a delay of a few days.

Ask to sign a very short description that says nothing other than that you fell down the stairs, without saying whether anything was or wasn't a factor, and without saying that the description is complete, if they want something fast, before you've checked the facts.

Best wishes for your recovery!

Good point raised jamesd and a very important one.

What would change the situation would be if the OP had to sign an accident report that had included a reason for the incident and possible attributable causes.

These reports should be undertaken by trained personnel and would determine an immediate and underlying cause of the accident which would enable the employer to rectify any shortcomings.

All that should be signed for is the preliminary report or notification an incident took place such as is found in an accident book - not any subsequent reports following an investigation, although the wording would need to be checked for what you are signing for as you may just be signing to say you have received a full report - just ensure it does not state that you accept its findings.