Free · Anonymous · 2 minutes

Is your workplace unsafe… or are you just being told it’s “normal”?

Answer a few questions and we’ll flag common safety & injury red flags — plus what to document, and where to get proper help.

Check hours/breaks

General info only, not legal advice. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.

1

Describe the job + risks

Type of work, staffing pressure, training, PPE, and the hazards you’re dealing with.

2

Tell us what happened

Injury / near miss, whether it was reported, and if it was recorded properly.

3

Get a clear plan

Red flags, a clean evidence pack, and official places to get real help.

Safety & injury checker

We look for patterns: missing training, missing PPE, pressure to “just get on with it”, injuries not recorded, and unsafe staffing.

Private by design

Everything runs in your browser. We don’t collect or store your answers.

1
Work context
2
Risks & controls

Examples: “just get it done”, “don’t report it”, “no time for breaks”, “use broken kit”.

3
Incident & injury
✓
Your results

Complete the steps then click See results.

Safety advice hub

Pick what matches your situation. Short, practical, no waffle.

📸 Document early

Make it boring & factual

  • Photos of hazards / broken kit (if safe).
  • Dates & times while it’s fresh.
  • Who said what (pressure matters).
🧰 Training/PPE

“Just crack on” isn’t a system

  • Ask for training in writing.
  • Ask for PPE and replacements.
  • Keep responses (email/screenshot).
🧠 If you feel unsafe

Trust the signal

  • Near misses are warnings.
  • Understaffing often drives accidents.
  • Speak to a rep if you have one.
🩹 First aid

Get medical help

  • Urgent danger: 999.
  • Non-urgent: NHS 111 / GP.
  • Keep notes of symptoms & dates.
🧾 Record it

Accident book matters

  • Ask for it to be recorded.
  • If refused: write it down & email it.
  • Keep a copy for yourself.
🛡️ Don’t get isolated

Bring someone in

  • Union rep if available.
  • Adviser before confrontation.
  • Witness names if any.
📘 Accident book

Records & patterns

  • Recording helps spot repeat risks.
  • Ask for confirmation it was logged.
  • Keep your own notes too.
📣 RIDDOR

Serious reporting rules

  • Some incidents must be reported under RIDDOR.
  • Reports are usually made by the responsible person (often employer).
  • If you’re worried, use official advice routes.
🗣️ Raising a risk

Do it calmly

  • State the hazard and the fix you want.
  • Ask what action they’ll take.
  • Keep it in writing when possible.
⚖️ Employer duties

Basic safety responsibilities

  • Employers should manage risks and keep people safe.
  • Risk assessments should exist for real hazards.
  • Training and equipment should match the job.
🧯 Your voice

Reporting a risk

  • You can report issues to your employer/rep.
  • Keep a paper trail.
  • Escalate via official advice if ignored.
🛡️ If you’re treated worse

Retaliation is a red flag

  • If you raise safety and get punished, get advice.
  • Document dates and changes (shifts, duties, warnings).
  • Speak to Acas or Citizens Advice.
🧾 Evidence

Gather a clean pack

  • Photos / screenshots
  • Rota / staffing evidence
  • Medical notes if injured
🗣️ Advice first

Before a big confrontation

  • Use “Copy summary” and speak to an adviser.
  • Keep it factual and calm.
  • Ask for a specific fix.
⬇️ Jump

Where to go

  • Get help section below.
  • Glossary for key terms.
  • FAQ for common questions.

Where to get real help

Free, confidential advice and official guidance

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice

Practical guidance if you’re injured at work and need to know next steps.

Accidents at work →

Safety glossary

Quick definitions for the terms that come up when you’re trying to get an unsafe workplace taken seriously.

Key terms (UK)

Keep it simple: these are the words advisers and employers tend to use. Knowing them helps you communicate clearly.

RIDDOR ReportingOpen
A UK system for reporting certain serious workplace incidents and injuries.
  • Reports are usually made by the responsible person (often the employer).
  • If something feels serious, document it and get advice (Acas/Citizens Advice/HSE guidance).
Accident book / incident log RecordsOpen
A workplace record where accidents, injuries, and near misses may be recorded.
  • Logging helps show patterns and proves you reported it.
  • If you can, ask for written confirmation that it was recorded.
Near miss WarningOpen
Something that could have caused harm but didn’t (this time).
  • Near misses are often the clearest “early warning” sign.
  • Report the hazard and keep a short written record.
Risk assessment ControlsOpen
A process/document where hazards are identified and the controls are set out.
  • Good ones are specific (manual handling, slips, machinery, violence, lone working).
  • If your job has obvious hazards, it’s reasonable to ask what assessment exists.
PPE EquipmentOpen
Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., gloves, safety shoes, eye protection, masks).
  • If PPE is required, it should be suitable, available, and replaced when worn out.
  • Keep screenshots/photos of missing or broken items (only if safe).
Manual handling LiftingOpen
Lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling that can cause injury (especially repetitive strain and back injuries).
  • Training and safe methods matter.
  • Understaffing and rushing often make this worse.
Lone working StaffingOpen
Working without close supervision or immediate support.
  • Risks increase for violence, medical incidents, and unsafe tasks.
  • Evidence = rotas, messages, and examples of being left alone.
“Pressure to ignore safety” CultureOpen
Being pushed to rush, skip steps, use broken kit, or avoid reporting.
  • Write down who said what and when.
  • Keep messages/screenshots if they exist.

Tip: the more factual and dated your notes are, the harder they are to dismiss.

Safety FAQ

Quick answers people often need after something goes wrong (or before it does).

Does this checker store my answers?
No — it runs entirely in your browser. Shafted doesn’t collect or store your inputs.
What should I do immediately after an accident at work?
Get medical help if needed, record what happened (date/time/location), report it to your employer, and ask for it to be logged in an accident book/incident record. Keep your own notes and any photos/screenshots.
Do I have to report a near miss?
Near misses are warnings. Reporting hazards helps prevent repeat incidents. If you can, report it and keep a written record.
What is an accident book and why does it matter?
It’s a workplace record of incidents and injuries. Logging helps show patterns, supports investigations, and can be important evidence if problems escalate.
What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR is a UK reporting system for certain serious workplace incidents. Reports are usually made by the responsible person (often the employer). If you think something should be reported, get advice and keep your evidence.
What if my manager tells me not to report it?
That’s a red flag. Write down what happened and who said what. If possible, follow up in writing (email/message) so there’s a record, and consider speaking to Acas or Citizens Advice.
What evidence should I keep for a safety complaint?
Dates/times, photos (if safe), rota/staffing evidence, messages about safety or pressure, witness names, training/PPE requests, and medical notes if you were injured.
What if they blame me for the accident?
Don’t argue feelings — stick to facts: training you received, equipment condition, staffing levels, and what you were told to do. Keep your timeline and any proof (photos/messages/witnesses).
Can I ask for a risk assessment?
You can ask what risk assessment exists for the hazards you face (manual handling, slips, machinery, violence, lone work). Ask in writing and keep the response.
Can I be punished for raising safety concerns?
If you raise safety concerns and are treated worse, that’s a major red flag. Document changes (rota, duties, warnings) and get advice quickly.