Labour Inspectorate reminds employers to report workplace accidents

On Wednesday 7 October, the Labor Inspectorate of the Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (IVSA) reminded employers, contractors and people responsible for workplaces that occupational accidents and injuries must be reported under the Safety Ordinance.

The Labor Inspectorate said Article 2, paragraph 7 requires the head or director of an enterprise to immediately report occupational injuries to the Safety Inspection and other designated authorities. The requirement covers accidents resulting in death, admission to a medical or nursing institution, permanent total or partial disability, personal injury, or absence from work because of injuries.

The inspectorate said the scene of a serious accident should be kept as undisturbed as reasonably possible when doing so does not create further danger. Employers must also give inspectors access and reasonable assistance, including documents, video recordings, witness details and relevant objects or substances when requested.

Joe Alcala, Inspector General of VSA, said reporting an accident to an insurer or another institution does not replace the duty to notify the Labor Inspectorate where required by safety legislation.