Construction injuries are 24% higher than in other industries. There are many types of injuries to report. Companies must know what to do when an injury happens.
It’s vital leaders know how to report and record these injuries. The best defense is to be prepared. This guide will show you how to record and report OSHA workplace injuries.
Keep reading to learn more about how to document and report construction site injuries.
How to Report Construction Injuries
Construction site injuries are a common occurrence in the industry. There are many steps that employers can take to ensure that their employees are safe on the job site. Sites should train workers in safety procedures, provide them with safety equipment, and have access to first aid.
But despite everyone’s best efforts, accidents still happen.
Construction injury reports are a crucial part of the process of handling construction accidents. These reports help prevent future accidents and injuries.
When writing an incident report, you must consider the following:
Include All Accurate Information
Construction injury reports are a crucial part of the process of getting compensation. They are also important for preventing future injuries on the job site.
This document is a record of what happened during an accident and as evidence in court.
The person who fills out this report should be able to accurately document what they saw and experienced. This information can be used to help prevent future accidents on the job site or to provide evidence in court.
Keep to the Facts
A construction injury report should include as many facts as possible, including:
- The date and time of the incident
- The location of the accident
- Who was involved in the incident
- What caused the accident?
- What happened during the accident?
- What injuries occurred?
- How did the injury occur?
- The date and time of the initial visit to the hospital
Ensure All Portions Are Complete
A construction injury report is a form completed by a professional. This can be an inspector, supervisor, or another qualified person who witnessed an accident. There are many sections of the report and it is important to complete each section to ensure accuracy.
Support Facts With Graphics
Graphics are important to support the facts in a construction injury report. This is through images, diagrams, charts, and graphs.
The graphics should be easy to understand and should not distract the reader from the main text. Graphics can also emphasize a point or highlight something important.
Validate the Report
The importance of a signature on a construction injury report is that it validates the authenticity of the report. It also provides legal evidence that a qualified person completed the report.
The injured worker and the supervisor sign the document to certify that they have read it. It is important to validate this document with signatures. It helps to ensure that all parties are in agreement about what happened.
What to Include in a Workplace Injury Report
Companies must file injury reports with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You must include all information required. Below, we discuss the components of an accident report:
General Information
General information is a section of a construction injury report that includes the date, time, and location of the incident. It also includes the worker’s name, employer’s name, and any other pertinent information.
Where the Incident Took Place
Construction injuries are not uncommon, and when they happen, the location of the injury is important to note. The area may have safety hazards where the accident happened that companies need to resolve.
Those Impacted
The most important thing in a construction injury report is to include the names of those who were impacted by the injury. The report should include detailed information about each person injured.
Severity of Injuries and Damages
Injuries can be very severe and can have long-term effects on a person’s life. Construction companies need to take this into account when documenting an injury report.
It should also include any damages to property or equipment.
Witnesses
A witness statement is a written statement from a person who observed an event. The person giving the statement may not have been involved in the event, but they can provide information about what happened.
Witness statements are important for determining liability and responsibility for an accident. They also provide insight into what happened in the moments leading up to an accident. This information is vital if the case goes to trial.
Detailed Outline of Events
You must include an outline of events in a construction injury report. It provides the necessary information for understanding how the injury occurred.
It should include what happened and where it happened. It must also include when it happened and any other relevant details that provide context to the event.
Actions of Those Involved
Construction injury reports should include the actions of those involved so that the reader has context. Accidents or hazards do not cause all injuries. Violence or intentional negligence causes many workplace incidents.
This is why companies must have a safe workplace with training for all involved.
Consult a Lawyer to Ensure Proper Reporting
Now that you understand how to report and record construction injuries, you should think about how to further protect the company. There are many causes of injuries on construction sites. Some of those result in lawsuits.
Don’t let that happen to your business. Contact us today to discuss more about how to report construction injuries.