No workplace is entirely risk-free. But if you’ve been injured at work, one of the most important things you can do — both for yourself and your colleagues — is to report it properly.

It’s natural to feel hesitant. Maybe the injury seems minor, or you’re worried about drawing attention to yourself. But reporting an accident isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about making sure you’re protected, and helping prevent the same thing from happening to someone else.

Why reporting matters

When you report an accident through the University’s online accident reporting system, several important things happen:

• A formal record is created — This is your evidence. If you need to make a claim later, or if symptoms develop over time, having that record on file is vital.
• Your manager is notified — Once you submit the report, you’ll be asked to allocate it to your School Manager or Service Director, and the system will automatically email them. This means they know what happened and can take any immediate action needed.
• Investigations can happen — If something needs fixing — a hazard, a faulty piece of equipment, or an unsafe process — reporting it means that problem can be investigated and put right before anyone else gets hurt.

What UNISON says

UNISON is clear: it is every employer’s responsibility to make sure the potential for accidents at work is eliminated or minimised. But workers have rights too — and reporting is how you exercise them.

If you’re injured at work, UNISON advises you to:

1. Seek any necessary medical treatment first.
2. Report the accident and your injuries to your employer.
3. Make sure the incident is recorded — through the University’s accident reporting system.
4. Take photographs of where the accident happened, if you can.
5. Contact your UNISON representative as soon as possible for advice and support.

If an accident prevents you from returning to work for seven days or more, your employer is legally required to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Reporting promptly helps ensure this happens within the correct timeframe.

Keep copies of everything — correspondence, medical reports, photographs. These will be essential if you decide to pursue a legal case, and your UNISON rep can help you with that process.

What if it seems like nothing?

Some injuries don’t seem serious at the time. A trip, a minor cut, a twinge in your back — it’s easy to brush them off. But some injuries develop or worsen over time, and without a report on file, it becomes much harder to prove what happened and when.

Reporting also plays a wider role. Every report contributes to a bigger picture of health and safety across the University. Patterns can be spotted. Risks can be reduced. Future colleagues may be spared the same experience.

You’re not on your own

If you’ve had an accident at work and you’re unsure what to do, or you’d like support through the reporting process, get in touch with your local UNISON representative. We’re here to help you understand your rights, navigate the system, and make sure your voice is heard.

Your safety matters. Your rights matter. And reporting is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect both.

Need help? Contact your UNISON branch rep or visit UNISON’s accidents at work page for more information.