Injury at work, director denying knowledge of it

twopenny

Unless things have changed you should report an accident at work when it happens. A record should be made, still usually a book to record.

I can understand why you maybe thought it was nothing much at the time but it was hurting on Friday so you could have reported it then.

Think the problem with your bosses is that you didn't report it at work until a week later so it could have happened at any time.

Not sure how you put that right but a copy of the email is hopefully saved with the details you've given is saved and can be used to 'remind' them gently so they can't say they didn't know.

Also what did the doctor say about driving? Can you get that in writing? If not your GP.

Undervalued

StevenB12 said:

Hey all,

On Thursday (18th Jan) I was doing a routine task at work when I felt a sharp pain in my wrist, it got worse on the friday/Saturday, went to A&E on Sunday, had an x-ray with suspected fractured wrist, went back Wednesday to have a cast fitted, told my director etc and showed him my wrist.

I reported this via email on the Wednesday last week to my health and safety department, it was then brought up in a meeting that I wasn't involved in, my new manager has told the client the accident happened at home and my director denied all knowledge of knowing about it. 

Health and safety are now "playing it by ear" in terms of the next steps, as I've reported it being at work, but management have now said it was at home.

Where do I stand on this? 

Thank you

Obviously it should be correctly reported and recorded.

However, just because the accident happened at work, does not in itself mean that the company are in any way to blame. It may be that they are a fault in some way - or not. That is another matter.

400ixl

StevenB12 said:

I suspect a claim at this stage would probably end badly, currently on 9 month probation period (long probation periods here) so it would be an easier excuse to be let go. Having said that, not sure it's the best place to be if this is standard

Probation period is irrelevant, they don't need to give a reason in the first 2 years anyway. Probation is only really relevant to contractual changes that come with completing it such as pay, bonuses, holiday entitlement, working hours etc).

The accident should have been reported on the day it happened really, the significance of the injury is not a reason to not record the incident happening.

What are you looking to see happen now? Is it to be put on sick leave?

StevenB12

400ixl said:

StevenB12 said:

I suspect a claim at this stage would probably end badly, currently on 9 month probation period (long probation periods here) so it would be an easier excuse to be let go. Having said that, not sure it's the best place to be if this is standard

Probation period is irrelevant, they don't need to give a reason in the first 2 years anyway. Probation is only really relevant to contractual changes that come with completing it such as pay, bonuses, holiday entitlement, working hours etc).

The accident should have been reported on the day it happened really, the significance of the injury is not a reason to not record the incident happening.

What are you looking to see happen now? Is it to be put on sick leave?

Na, I'm still in, if anything I've told them that driving like this would void insurance, they still have me driving around. However I think it would have been a minimum token gesture to have one day off

StevenB12

So had the meeting today to find out if it happened at work, because I didn't go to the hospital Thursday night or straight away they are arguing it happened outside of work. Witnesses have said my wrist was bruised etc afterwards but not swollen, so again they are arguing it didn't happen at work. 

pinkshoes

StevenB12 said:

So had the meeting today to find out if it happened at work, because I didn't go to the hospital Thursday night or straight away they are arguing it happened outside of work. Witnesses have said my wrist was bruised etc afterwards but not swollen, so again they are arguing it didn't happen at work. 

As already asked - what actually happened? What task were you doing that caused the broken arm?

It happened on a Thursday, you felt a sharp pain, but didn't go to A&E until Sunday? How do you know whatever you did at work didn't exasperate something you'd done ages ago?

StevenB12

pinkshoes said:

StevenB12 said:

So had the meeting today to find out if it happened at work, because I didn't go to the hospital Thursday night or straight away they are arguing it happened outside of work. Witnesses have said my wrist was bruised etc afterwards but not swollen, so again they are arguing it didn't happen at work. 

As already asked - what actually happened? What task were you doing that caused the broken arm?

It happened on a Thursday, you felt a sharp pain, but didn't go to A&E until Sunday? How do you know whatever you did at work didn't exasperate something you'd done ages ago?

Sorry for late reply. 


I was pulling a drill out that had become stuck in Tarmac after drilling road plates, drill bit had got stuck, fairly large drill (two hands).  You have to continuously lift it up and down once its stuck to get it back out, think of shaking someone violently, just up and down haha. 

If I reported every ache and pain in a physically demanding job, I'd never be away from the hospital. I left it a few days tonsee if it had only been a bad sprain etc, and didn't want to report it until I knew what was wrong with it, report it as a sprain and turns out to be a fracture doesn't look great.


Cast is now off, I require physio, injections and a return to hospital in 6 weeks to check on progress. Hasn't healed brilliantly and still damage to tendons.