Workplace injuries happen. Regardless of the company’s safety protocol and how employees are trained during onboarding and continued training, something can happen while you’re working in a shipyard. It’s what happens next that’s most important. First and foremost, don’t panic. Then follow these steps carefully to fill out an accident report and get treatment.
Report it Right Away
If you are injured on the job, don’t wait to report it. And don’t think it’s not serious even if the injury is small or you aren’t experiencing any major discomfort. If there are issues with an injury after the fact and you did not report it, you may not be protected by workers’ compensation or any other processes established to ensure you maintain your rights as an employee.
Fill Out the Accident Report
You should fill out an accident report immediately. This helps you record the incident while it’s still fresh in your mind. That way, you don’t leave out any critical details that may help you in the long run. This should be the case unless you’re taken to the hospital for immediate care. Once you report the accident, if your employer doesn’t offer an accident report, ask for it.
Seek Medical Care
If the injury is not an emergency, you will still need to visit a doctor right away. Your employer has a list of recommended doctors from their workers’ comp insurance company. Call a recommended physician and don’t skip the office visit. Meet with the doctor right away to ensure that you don’t need additional medical care.
Follow the Doctor’s Orders
You must follow the doctor’s orders in the case of any workplace injury. You don’t want to return to work too soon or risk further complications. Your doctor may prescribe medications, rest, or other treatments intended to get you back up and running as quickly as possible. While you may feel like getting back to work as soon as possible is in your best interest, hurrying the process may have a negative impact long term.
Communicate with Your Employer
You also need to maintain communication with your employer about your treatments, recommendations from the doctor, and your ability to return to work. This should all be considered a part of the process for following up after a workplace injury.
Are you looking for a shipyard job in an environment with good safety protocol? Contact the team at Hutco today.
