Workplace accidents can happen in any industry, and proper record-keeping is essential for ensuring compliance with legal requirements. But who has the overall responsibility for recording injuries at work? Employers, employees, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) all play a role in this process. Understanding your obligations can help protect your rights and ensure that injuries are properly documented. If you have suffered an accident at work, Fentons could be able to help you claim under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Key Facts
- Employers must maintain an accident book and ensure injuries are recorded in compliance with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
- Employees have a responsibility to report accidents and ensure details are accurately recorded for legal and safety purposes.
- Serious workplace accidents must be reported to the HSE, which oversees compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Failure to keep proper records could lead to legal action against an employer for failing to meet record-keeping obligations.
- A work accident claim may be possible if an employer fails to maintain a safe workplace or follow reporting injuries procedures.
- Who Is Responsible for Recording Injuries at Work?
- What Are the Employer's Obligations for Reporting Workplace Injuries?
- What Is RIDDOR and How Does It Apply to Workplace Injury Reporting?
- What Steps Should Be Taken If an Injury Is Not Reported Immediately?
- What Are the Most Common Mistakes Employers Make in Recording Injuries?
- What Are the Consequences for Employers Who Fail to Record Workplace Injuries?
- What Information Must Be Included When Recording a Workplace Injury?
- How Does the Health and Safety Executive Enforce Injury Recording Regulations?
- Are Employees Required to Report All Injuries to Their Employer?
- How Should an Accident Book Be Maintained?
- What Types of Injuries Need to Be Reported Under RIDDOR?
- How Does Injury Recording Impact Workers' Compensation Claims?
- Can You Make a No Win No Fee Claim for Accidents at Work?
- Find Out How Fentons Can Help With Your Responsibility for Recording Injuries at Work and Claims
Who Is Responsible for Recording Injuries at Work?

Understanding who has the overall responsibility for recording injuries at work is crucial for ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Both employers and employees play a role in record-keeping and reporting injuries. Employers must ensure that all workplace accidents are properly documented to comply with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), while employees have a duty to report incidents as soon as possible. Failing to record injuries correctly can result in legal consequences and may impact an employee’s ability to make a work accident claim.
Key Responsibilities:
- Employers must maintain an accident book and ensure that all incidents, no matter how minor, are logged.
- Employees should report accidents immediately to ensure the correct details are recorded.
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees serious workplace incidents and ensures compliance with health and safety laws.
- Failure to report injuries can result in fines, legal action, or challenges in securing a personal injury claim.
- Claims management firms, such as Fentons, could be able to help you claim if an injury is not properly documented.
Recording injuries at work is a shared responsibility. Employers, employees, and regulatory bodies must work together to ensure accurate records and compliance with safety laws.
What Are the Employer’s Obligations for Reporting Workplace Injuries?
Employers have a legal duty to maintain accurate records of workplace accidents and comply with RIDDOR regulations. Proper record-keeping helps ensure that injured employees receive appropriate medical attention and can support a work accident claim if necessary. Employers must also take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Failure to meet reporting injuries requirements can lead to legal penalties and put employees at risk.
Employer’s Responsibilities Include:
- Maintaining an accident book – Employers must ensure a log of all incidents is kept, including minor injuries.
- Complying with RIDDOR – Certain injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Providing first aid – Employers must ensure that first aid supplies and trained personnel are available at all times.
- Conducting investigations – Employers should review the circumstances of workplace accidents to identify potential safety hazards.
- Informing employees of their rights – Workers must understand their employee’s responsibility to report injuries and how to access support.
Employers who fail to meet their obligations could be subject to legal action. If an employer has neglected their responsibilities, Fentons could be able to help you claim under a No Win No Fee agreement.
What Is RIDDOR and How Does It Apply to Workplace Injury Reporting?
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is a key piece of UK legislation governing workplace accidents. It places a legal obligation on employers to report serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). RIDDOR applies to various types of injuries, including fatalities, major injuries, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for maintaining workplace safety and ensuring that employees can pursue a work accident claim if needed.
When Does an Employer Need to Report Under RIDDOR?
- Fatalities – Any death occurring at work must be reported to the HSE.
- Major injuries – This includes fractures, amputations, loss of sight, and other serious conditions.
- Injuries leading to over 7 days of absence – If an employee cannot work for more than a week due to a workplace accident, it must be reported.
- Occupational diseases – Certain illnesses, such as asbestosis, must be reported under RIDDOR.
- Dangerous occurrences – These include near-miss incidents that could have caused serious harm.
Employers who fail to comply with RIDDOR can face significant legal consequences. If you believe your injury was not properly reported, Fentons could be able to help you claim under a No Win No Fee arrangement.
What Steps Should Be Taken If an Injury Is Not Reported Immediately?
If a workplace accident is not recorded in the accident book or reported in line with legal requirements, steps must be taken to correct the situation. Failure to report injuries can result in complications when making a work accident claim, as there may be no official record of the incident. Employees should act quickly to ensure their rights are protected and their injury is documented.
Steps to Take If an Injury Was Not Reported:
- Inform your employer immediately – Notify your supervisor or HR department about the injury and request that it be entered into the accident book.
- Gather evidence – Collect witness statements, photos, and medical records to support your claim.
- Seek medical attention – A doctor’s report can provide crucial evidence that the injury occurred at work.
- Check RIDDOR obligations – If the injury is serious, ensure it has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Contact a claims management firm – If your employer refuses to record the injury, Fentons could be able to help you claim for the damages you have suffered.
Acting quickly is essential. Delays in reporting could impact your legal rights and make it harder to secure a successful personal injury compensation claim.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes Employers Make in Recording Injuries?
Employers have a legal responsibility for recording injuries at work, but mistakes in record-keeping can lead to compliance failures and legal consequences. Even well-intentioned employers may overlook key details or fail to follow RIDDOR requirements. Errors in reporting injuries not only put employees at risk but can also hinder a work accident claim. Proper record-keeping ensures compliance with health and safety regulations and protects both the employer and employees.
Common Mistakes Employers Make:
- Failing to maintain an accident book – Every workplace must have an accident book to log all workplace accidents.
- Not reporting serious injuries to the Health and Safety Executive – Employers must follow RIDDOR rules for reporting major incidents.
- Incomplete or inaccurate records – Missing key details like time, date, and witnesses can weaken the report.
- Delays in reporting injuries – A delay in recording or reporting an injury can result in legal challenges.
- Failing to provide first aid – Employers must ensure that immediate medical assistance is given after an injury.
Proper injury recording is essential. Employers must ensure that every workplace accident is accurately documented to avoid compliance issues and legal consequences.
What Are the Consequences for Employers Who Fail to Record Workplace Injuries?
Failing to record workplace accidents correctly can lead to serious legal and financial consequences for employers. Proper record-keeping is a legal requirement, and employers who neglect their obligations may face penalties from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Additionally, employees may struggle to file a work accident claim if their injury has not been documented. This could result in disputes, investigations, and even legal action.
Consequences of Failing to Record Workplace Injuries:
- Legal penalties and fines – Non-compliance with RIDDOR can lead to significant financial penalties.
- Health and Safety Executive investigations – The HSE may inspect workplaces that fail to comply with reporting injuries regulations.
- Potential lawsuits – Employees may pursue a personal injury claim if an injury is not properly recorded.
- Reputational damage – A failure to follow legal requirements can harm an employer’s reputation.
- Increased workplace risks – Without proper record-keeping, employers cannot track trends in workplace accidents and improve safety measures.
Employers must ensure accurate record-keeping. Failure to comply with reporting obligations could result in legal action, fines, and serious safety risks.
What Information Must Be Included When Recording a Workplace Injury?
Recording an injury correctly is essential to comply with legal requirements and ensure that employees have access to necessary medical support. Employers must maintain an accident book and document all workplace accidents in detail. Accurate record-keeping ensures compliance with RIDDOR and helps employees who need to make a work accident claim. Missing or incomplete information can cause delays and disputes, making it harder to prove that an accident occurred.
Essential Information to Include in Workplace Injury Records:
- Date, time, and location of the accident – Clearly document when and where the incident took place.
- Details of the injured person – Include their name, job role, and department.
- Description of the injury – Note the type of injury sustained and its severity.
- Circumstances of the accident – Provide a detailed account of how the incident occurred.
- Witness statements – Record statements from anyone who saw the accident happen.
- Immediate actions taken – Include details of first aid provided and any emergency response.
- Employer’s actions following the incident – Outline steps taken to prevent similar accidents.
Accurate injury reporting is critical. Proper documentation protects both employees and employers, ensuring compliance with record-keeping regulations and supporting potential claims.
How Does the Health and Safety Executive Enforce Injury Recording Regulations?
The Health and Safety Executive plays a key role in enforcing workplace safety regulations and ensuring compliance with RIDDOR. Employers have a legal responsibility for recording injuries at work, and failure to comply can result in investigations, penalties, or legal action. The HSE works to ensure that reporting injuries is done correctly, helping to maintain safe working environments.
How the HSE Enforces Injury Recording Regulations:
- Investigating non-compliance – The HSE inspects workplaces to ensure that employer’s obligations are met.
- Issuing enforcement notices – Employers who fail to keep accurate workplace accident records may receive formal warnings or improvement notices.
- Conducting workplace audits – Routine inspections help identify failures in record-keeping and reporting injuries.
- Imposing fines and penalties – Employers who fail to comply with legal requirements may face significant financial penalties.
- Taking legal action – Serious breaches of health and safety laws can result in prosecution.
The HSE plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance. Employers must follow record-keeping regulations to avoid legal consequences and maintain a safe workplace.
Are Employees Required to Report All Injuries to Their Employer?
Employees have a legal responsibility for recording injuries at work, ensuring that accidents are properly documented and reported. While employers have the primary duty to maintain an accident book and comply with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), employees must also play their part in reporting injuries. Failure to report an accident can lead to difficulties in making a work accident claim, as there may be no official record of the incident. Accurate record-keeping is essential for ensuring workplace safety and legal compliance.
Employees’ Responsibilities When Reporting Injuries:
- Report all workplace accidents – Even minor injuries should be logged in the accident book.
- Provide detailed information – Employees must describe how the accident happened and any contributing factors.
- Seek medical attention – Getting a medical report can support personal injury claims.
- Confirm that the injury has been recorded correctly – Employees should check the entry to ensure accuracy.
- Follow up if the injury is not recorded – If an employer refuses to document the injury, further action may be necessary.
Employees must take injury reporting seriously. Failure to report an injury could result in difficulties when pursuing a No Win No Fee claim for workplace accidents.
How Should an Accident Book Be Maintained?
An accident book is a vital tool for ensuring legal compliance and record-keeping in the workplace. Under UK law, all workplaces with ten or more employees must maintain an accident book to log all incidents. Properly maintaining this record helps ensure that reporting injuries is done accurately and that employers can comply with RIDDOR requirements. Failing to maintain an accident book can lead to legal repercussions and may weaken an employee’s ability to file a work accident claim.
Best Practices for Maintaining an Accident Book:
- Ensure all injuries are recorded promptly – Every workplace accident must be documented.
- Include essential details – Date, time, location, and nature of the injury must be recorded.
- Make sure records are kept securely – Personal data should be stored safely in compliance with GDPR.
- Regularly review the accident book – Identifying patterns in workplace injuries can help improve safety.
- Ensure employees know how to report injuries – Staff should be trained on proper reporting injuries procedures.
A well-maintained accident book is essential. Employers must ensure that all records are accurate, secure, and regularly reviewed to comply with legal requirements.
What Types of Injuries Need to Be Reported Under RIDDOR?
Not all workplace injuries require formal reporting under RIDDOR, but certain incidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Employers have a legal responsibility for recording injuries at work and must comply with RIDDOR regulations to avoid penalties. Employees should also be aware of their rights, especially if an employer fails to report a workplace accident correctly. Understanding what injuries require reporting can help workers in making a work accident claim if needed.
Injuries That Must Be Reported Under RIDDOR:
- Fatal injuries – Any death caused by a workplace accident must be reported immediately.
- Major injuries – Fractures (except fingers and toes), amputations, loss of sight, and serious burns.
- Injuries leading to more than 7 days of absence – Any workplace accident causing over a week off work.
- Occupational diseases – Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and asbestosis.
- Dangerous occurrences – Near misses that could have resulted in serious injury or death.
Employers must follow RIDDOR regulations. Failure to report workplace accidents properly can result in HSE investigations and legal consequences.
How Does Injury Recording Impact Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Proper record-keeping is crucial for workers pursuing compensation claims after a workplace accident. If an injury is not recorded in the accident book, it may be harder to prove that it occurred at work. Employers must comply with reporting injuries regulations to ensure employees have access to fair compensation. A lack of proper documentation can delay or even prevent a successful work accident claim.
How Injury Recording Affects Compensation Claims:
- Provides legal proof – A documented injury strengthens an employee’s personal injury claim.
- Ensures accurate medical treatment – Proper records help medical professionals assess workplace injuries.
- Supports No Win No Fee claims – Claimants need a clear record of the accident for legal proceedings.
- Prevents disputes – Employers may deny responsibility if an injury is not properly recorded.
- Helps identify unsafe workplaces – Repeated accidents may indicate serious safety concerns.
Recording injuries properly protects employees. If an employer fails to document an accident, Fentons could be able to help you claim under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Here are some possible UK compensation payouts for work-related injuries and accidents:
Head Injury (Minor) (£2,690 to £15,580) – Minimal brain damage, if any. Award depends on severity, recovery time, and lingering symptoms like headaches. Full recovery within weeks is awarded at the lower end.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Moderate) (£9,980 to £28,250) – Significant recovery with mild, non-disabling ongoing effects.
Total Blindness (In the region of £327,940) – Complete loss of vision in both eyes.
Chest Injury (Up to £4,820) – Rib fractures or soft tissue damage causing serious pain for several weeks.
Asbestos-Related Disease (Mesothelioma) (£77,680 to £139,680) – Severe pain and reduced quality of life due to pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Award varies based on pain duration, treatment effects, and life expectancy.
Can You Make a No Win No Fee Claim for Accidents at Work?
If you have suffered a workplace accident due to your employer’s negligence, you may be able to make a No Win No Fee claim. A claims management firm, such as Fentons, could be able to help you claim, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve without financial risk. Employers have a legal responsibility for recording injuries at work, and failure to comply with record-keeping and reporting injuries laws may strengthen your case.
Steps to Take When Making a No Win No Fee Claim:
- Report the accident – Ensure the incident is recorded in the accident book.
- Seek medical attention – A doctor’s report will provide crucial evidence for your claim.
- Gather evidence – Witness statements, photos, and documentation will support your case.
- Check RIDDOR compliance – If the injury is serious, ensure it has been reported to the HSE.
- Contact a claims management firm – Fentons could be able to help you claim for your workplace injury.
A No Win No Fee claim allows employees to seek justice without financial risk. If your employer failed to comply with their legal obligations, you may be entitled to compensation.
Find Out How Fentons Can Help With Your Responsibility for Recording Injuries at Work and Claims
If you’ve suffered a workplace accident, ensuring that it’s properly recorded is crucial for your claim. Fentons could be able to help you claim the compensation you deserve. With over 30 years of experience, our claims professionals provide free legal advice and expert guidance. Our experts can advise you about your rights after a work accident. We specialise in No Win No Fee claims, ensuring you can pursue justice without financial risk. Whether your employer failed to record your injury correctly or did not comply with legal requirements, we can assist you. Call 0333 000 0723 or contact us today to find out if you can claim.
Responsibility for Recording Injuries at Work FAQ
What Is the Role of First Aiders in Recording Workplace Injuries?
First aiders provide immediate medical assistance and must ensure that injuries are properly documented in the accident book. They should record the nature of the injury, treatment provided, and any recommendations for further care.
How Long Must Records of Workplace Injuries Be Kept?
Employers must keep accident records for at least three years from the date of the incident. However, for certain claims or legal purposes, it is advisable to retain records for longer periods.
Are There Any Exemptions to Reporting Certain Workplace Injuries?
Yes, minor injuries that do not result in absence from work or require medical attention may not need to be reported under RIDDOR. However, all injuries should still be logged in the accident book.
How Can Employers Ensure Compliance With Injury Recording Regulations?
Employers must maintain an accident book, follow RIDDOR regulations, provide staff training, and regularly review workplace safety policies. Failure to comply could result in legal penalties or HSE investigations.
Injuries at Work Links
Training and competence – HSE: Advice and guidance on training employees in workplace safety.
Causes and prevention – Slips and trips – HSE: Advice on prevent slips, trips, and falls at work.
Vision and mission – RoSPA: About the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.