An accident is an unplanned, uncontrolled, or unforeseen event resulting in injury or harm to people and damages to goods. For example, a person falling down and getting injured or a glassware item that broke upon being knocked over. Emergency is a serious or crisis situation that needs immediate attention and action. For example, a customer having a heart attack or sudden outbreak of fire in you organization needs immediate attention.
Each organization or chain of organizations has procedures and practices to handle and report accidents and take care of emergencies. Although you will find most of these procedures and practices common across the industry, some procedures might be modified to fit a particular type of business within the industry. You need to be aware of the general procedures and practices awes well as the ones specific to your organization.
The following are some of the guidelines for identifying and reporting an accident or emergency.
Notice and correctly identify accidents and emergencies: You need to be aware of what constitutes and\ emergency and what constitutes an accident in an organization. the organization's policies and guidelines will be the best guide in this matter. You should be able to accurately identity such incidents in your organization. You should also be aware of the procedures to tackle each form of accident and emergency.
Get help promptly and in the most suitable way: Follow the procedure for handling a particular type of accident and emergency. Promptly act as per the guidelines. Ensure that you provide the required help and support as laid down in the policies. Do not act outside the best intenf\tion. Remember that only properly trained and certified professionals may be authorized to take decisions beyound the organization's policies and guidelines, if the situation requires.
Follow company policies and procedures for precenting further injury while waiting for help to arrive:
