We don’t spend enough time thinking about how to deal with injuries until they occur. Unfortunatley, they are far more common than most people think. Over 3 million people in the United States experience serious but non-fatal injuries each year. Another 150,000 people are killed in injuries each year.
There are a lot of things that have to be taken into consideration when an injury occurs. One of the most important things that you have to do is make sure that the injury is documented. This crucial step after an injury can make a huge difference in many ways.
The “first report of injury or illness form” is a document that records basic information about an injury or illness. This form helps to identify, evaluate, and control hazards in the workplace by informing workers, supervisors, and healthcare providers.
The Purpose of a First Report of Injury or Illness Form
The first report of injury or illness form has several purposes. They are:
- To record information that identifies the worker, supervisor, and the injury or illness
- To describe how the event occurred
- Identify what was done to control and treat the injury or illness
- To record any relevant observations about the injury or illness made by supervisors, fellow workers, healthcare providers, or others
- To determine whether this is an occupational injury or illness since workers have many kinds of non-occupational injuries, such as from recreational activities and exposure to environmental pollutants
- To identify those needed for follow-up action
A workers’ compensation attorney helps workers file lawsuits when they have been injured on the job, and the employer did not take proper precautions to prevent them. You will have an easier time getting a great personal injury settlement if you have the right documentation. To get a workers’ compensation attorney in Macon, click the URL here.
Content of a First Report of Injury or Illness Form
The first report of injury or illness form contains the following:
- The event date and other relevant dates, such as the date of reporting to an emergency room or hospital
- A brief description of the injury or illness, how it occurred, whether it is related to work, and what happened before the diagnosis of an injury or disease
- Information about work activities (if any) in the injury or illness, such as time, duration, and location
- Any relevant information about the firm, the industry, and other aspects of the event
- Information about exposure to work hazards such as chemicals and ergonomic problems
- Information about how the medical treatment was administered and what was done to control other problems from the injury or illness
First Report of Injury or Illness Form: Benefits
The first report of injury or illness form is beneficial because it:
- Is used to identify and evaluate hazards in the workplace
- Helps to develop steps to prevent further injuries or illnesses
- Ensures that supervisors and workers recognize the important facts about each injury and illness
- Helps to record information that healthcare providers will use to treat injuries and illnesses
- Identifies those workers who need follow-up medical care
- Helps employers collect information needed for insurance claims, compensation, ergonomic assessments, worker’s compensation reports, return-to-work evaluations and other work-related programs
When to Use a First Report of Injury or Illness Forms
The first report of injury or illness form is used when:
- A worker is injured or becomes ill at work
- An injury or illness occurs during a job transfer
- An injury or illness occurs in the transportation to and from work
- You are required to do so by your organization’s record-keeping procedures; you can use this form
- You need the information to maintain a complete record of injuries or illnesses for employees
- A worker is injured or becomes ill at home when they return from work
- An occupational disease is suspected to be present and must be reported within seven days
- You are required by law to report an injury or illness, such as when working in a mine, offshore oil well, or for law enforcement officials
- You have been given first-aid following an accident at work (however, you may want to use the Medical Treatment section)
- When one incident has multiple injuries or illnesses (possibly related)
When to Refrain From Using a First Report of Injury or Illness Form
The first report of injury or illness form is not used when:
- A worker suffers from an illness that is not work-related, such as an infection, cold or flu, or fever
- A worker is injured or becomes ill before they report to work or after leaving the job (for example, if a worker is in an auto accident)
- You need information about the treatment for an illness (rather than the injury/illness itself)
- You want to record information about a death that results from industrial causes
- First Report Of Injury Or Illness Form: Drawbacks
- It’s important to keep in mind that:
- The first report of injury or illness form does not record all the details about an injury or illness.
- It is time-consuming for workers to complete this form
- It does not record every detail about an injury or illness, such as medical treatment, time of onset, and cause
- It is a poor tool for collecting ergonomic data
- Workers are reluctant to complete this form because of the time and effort involved
- Supervisors may think that they did not recognize a serious injury and that it was minor compared to other injuries recorded on this form
In conclusion, these forms are the most efficient way to record worker injuries and illnesses. These forms are very helpful in recording the injuries and illnesses of workers due to accidents and occupational diseases. You want to make sure that they are properly completed.
