Most people freeze because nobody ever told them the procedure. Here it is, in order — what to do, what to write down, and whether it goes to the HSE.
Stop the work around the accident. First aider to the casualty; 999 if in any doubt. Don't put a second person in danger — isolate power, stop plant, cordon off.
After a death or serious injury the HSE (or police) may investigate. Leave equipment, tools and the area exactly as they are unless moving something prevents further danger. Photograph everything from several angles first.
Every injury, however small: who was hurt, date/time, exact location, what happened, the injury, first aid given, and witness names. Employers with 10+ employees must keep an accident book by law; below that, do it anyway — the same-day record protects the worker's claim and your company. Photos of the scene attached = gold.
Not every accident is reportable — use the checker below. Reportable = deaths, specified serious injuries, more than 7 days off normal duties, certain diagnosed diseases, listed dangerous occurrences (near-misses), and members of the public taken straight to hospital.
The responsible person reports — normally the injured person's employer (for the self-employed or the public: whoever controls the premises). Workers don't file it themselves — they make sure the employer knows. Reports go online via the forms at hse.gov.uk/riddor; fatal and specified injuries can also be phoned to the HSE's Incident Contact Centre.
Keep RIDDOR records at least 3 years. Review the RAMS for that task, brief the crew on what changed, and record the toolbox talk. If an insurer or solicitor calls in two years, your same-day records are the whole story.
Tap what happened — you'll get the answer with the exact deadline.
Graftum gives your site RAMS in minutes, inductions signed on each worker's phone, briefings with tap-to-confirm — and site photos with timestamps when you need the record.
Start freeGeneral guidance on UK procedure under RIDDOR 2013 and related regulations — not legal advice, and no substitute for your own H&S arrangements. Official reporting and full definitions: hse.gov.uk/riddor. In an emergency call 999.