Understanding Accidents and Reporting Procedures
An accident is an accident. It means the loss of something, which may be small or big. The Factories Act considers the safety of workers. When there is an accident, the worker may resume immediately after, say, 5-10 minutes or just rest for that period. A small cut, some bruising, stumbling, etc., are accidents in which the working time of the worker is not lost. First aid or even nothing is required.
Types of Accidents
Some accidents are severe, such as fractures, burns, or big cuts, where the worker is unable to work for 2 days or more. This is termed a lost time accident. These incidents must be reported to the DISH within 24 hours. How would the employer know if the worker will remain away from work for 2 days? That is a judgment. If he feels the worker would join the next day, he need not send the report. But if the worker does not report the next day, then the employer reports it. This is acceptable. The delay should not be much. The accident is to be reported to DISH and ESIC. ESIC requires the information to render medical treatment to the worker. DISH requires information to study and suggest safety measures.
Accident Registers and Records
There may be a common accident register in which these incidents are recorded. This is a good record for future guidance. We can find out which worker is accident-prone, which areas or machines are accident-prone, etc.
Dangerous Occasions
There is one more reportable mishap. In the case of fire, the fall of a building or wall, death of a worker, or any explosion, it is called a dangerous occasion. The magnitude is not important. Even if a grass heap catches fire, it is to be reported. This is to be reported to DISH immediately within 4 hours of its occurrence. The reason is it may involve the criminal liability of the employer.
Incident Narration
I narrate an incident. A worker died in an explosion. All workers became angry. The Personnel Manager told the Production Manager to go to the Factory Inspector to inform about the accident, but he was needed to calm the workers. The Production Manager went to the Factory Inspection Office, but the Inspector was in a meeting. He waited for half an hour. Then he went for tea. At that time, the Inspector left the office. The Production Manager returned. The next day, it was reported in the newspaper. The Inspector came to inquire and was charged with not informing immediately. He said he can be disturbed in a meeting, at midnight, in a wedding, or anywhere but reporting within 4 hours is a must.
Regards, Vibhakar Ramtirthkar. Pune