Importance of Reporting Injuries at Work

When talking about injuries at work the best way to start is to talk about avoiding injuries. Processes and rules the employer has in place can feel unnecessary and like they get in the way of getting your work done, but following those safety rules and policies are the best way to avoid anyone getting injured at work. So brush up on safety measures and always report equipment that is faulty, broken or unavailable.

According to OSHA.gov there were 2.6 million non-fatal work related injuries in 2023. These injuries range from cuts and bruises to life changing injuries with long hospital stays and even longer recovery time. Your union contract may hold your employer to a higher standard but after a workplace injury happens the most important thing to do is to file an injury report. It is recommended that you file an injury report no matter how small of an injury you have.

Why report a small injury? The workers compensation insurance your employer carries will pay to cover treatment as well as your time off of work. A small injury can lead to much larger complications in time, if you start feeling more pain or are unable to work a few days after the injury occurs it is much easier to get the care you need if you reported the injury at the time it occurred. 

Reporting every injury may also help others. If your employer has a process in place that leads to injuries, even small ones, they need to make a change. If no one reports small injuries then the safety risk continues and may eventually mean a serious injury down the line. 

As always, talk with your Union Representative about ways to keep your workplace safe and make sure everyone understands the importance of reporting injuries. Find out what language there is in your union contract to support you and your coworkers in case something happens, and look for ways to propose even better protections for workers in future contracts.