An occupational accident is an incident that occurs in the course of fulfilling a task assigned by the employer or during other work being carried out with the employer’s consent, during a break which is included in working time or in the course of performing other activities in the interest of the employer which is injurious to the health of an employee or leads to the employee’s death. Incidents that are injurious to the health of an employee or lead to the employee’s death which occur in these circumstances but are not connected to the employee’s work or workplace are not considered to be occupational accidents.

What to do in the event of an occupational accident:

1. Provide the victim with first aid immediately. If you do not have the skills required to provide first aid, seek help from your company’s appointed first aid officer. If a serious accident has occurred, call an ambulance by dialling 112 without delay.
2. If the victim is conscious and able to move with assistance, you may take them to the emergency department of the nearest hospital yourself without waiting for an ambulance. Make sure you inform the attending doctor that an occupational accident has occurred.
3. Following an occupational accident, statements must be taken from those involved and those who witnessed the event, the scene must be recorded in pictures or photographs and other accident-related investigations must be carried out. Once this has been done an occupational accident report must be completed.
4. In the event of an occupational accident leading to the death of an employee, the scene must be preserved and the police called.