What to do when an employee gets injured at work

When an injury occurs at your business, quick and thoughtful action is essential. Here’s what employers should do right away:

• Get medical attention immediately. Call 911 for serious injuries or provide first aid if trained personnel are available.

• Remove the injured employee from danger and secure the area to prevent further harm.

• If equipment, tools, or materials are involved, take them out of service until you can understand the cause.

Capture key details about the incident as soon as possible. This documentation will support your workers’ compensation claim and any internal or regulatory reviews.

Report the injury internally (to supervisors and human resources) and externally (to your insurer and, if required, OSHA). Prompt reporting helps ensure medical care is provided quickly, covered expenses are tracked accurately, and claims are processed efficiently.

Report the injury internally (to supervisors and human resources) and externally (to your insurer and, if required, OSHA). Prompt reporting helps ensure medical care is provided quickly, covered expenses are tracked accurately, and claims are processed efficiently.

Alert your human resources team, management, and safety services group immediately. This keeps everyone aligned on next steps, documentation, and communication with the injured employee.

Contact your business insurance provider as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. Early reporting helps the claim move forward quickly, helping to ensure your employee’s care and minimizing downtime for your business.

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, you may need to report the incident to OSHA. You can call OSHA’s 24-hour hotline at 800-321-6742 or report the incident online.

Reporting requirements can vary based on the type of incident and your state’s specific regulations, so it’s always best to check current OSHA guidance.

Accurate, timely documentation of a workplace injury is crucial. Detailed records not only support insurance claims but also help you identify workplace safety improvements and meet OSHA recordkeeping standards.

Key information to capture includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Date, time, and location of the injury

• Description of the incident: what happened and how it unfolded

• Names of the employee, their supervisor, and any witnesses

• Immediate actions taken (such as first aid, medical care, or evacuation steps)

• Photos or diagrams of the scene, if relevant

• Follow-up actions you took or are planning to take (inspections, retraining, or equipment updates)

Keep all documentation organized and accessible for your insurer and regulatory audits.

After the immediate response and documentation are complete, stay engaged with your injured employee and their recovery. Check in regularly, communicate next steps, and work with your insurer on return-to-work plans when the employee is ready.