Nipped by a dog at work
Discussion
Posting for advice for a friend.
A mate runs a Plumbing company and today one of his guys was bitten / nipped by a dog on a house call. There are some teeth marks and a wound around 3-4mm big.
He has sent the lad off to the hospital to get it looked at and a tetanus booster / check.
Is there anything else he has to do legally? He doesn't want to be at risk of negligence, but also doesn't want report the dog unnecessarily.
Thanks
A mate runs a Plumbing company and today one of his guys was bitten / nipped by a dog on a house call. There are some teeth marks and a wound around 3-4mm big.
He has sent the lad off to the hospital to get it looked at and a tetanus booster / check.
Is there anything else he has to do legally? He doesn't want to be at risk of negligence, but also doesn't want report the dog unnecessarily.
Thanks
I was told last week that all dog bites to children have to be reported to the police, not sure about adults as they weren't being discussed but here's a link to government info:
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
Riley Blue said:
I was told last week that all dog bites to children have to be reported to the police, not sure about adults as they weren't being discussed but here's a link to government info:
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
Thanks seems quite vague. There is no clear statement saying you "must" report all injuries.https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
I guess it will be up to the company owner and the individual as to whether they report it.
Riley Blue said:
I was told last week that all dog bites to children have to be reported to the police, not sure about adults as they weren't being discussed but here's a link to government info:
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
Thanks seems quite vague. There is no clear statement saying you "must" report all injuries.https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview
I guess it will be up to the company owner and the individual as to whether they report it.
Wildfire said:
55palfers said:
Make an entry in the Accident Book.
He's done that too.Monitor the ongoing condition of your employee and make a written record the discussion.
If your man is off work for more than 7 days, then it needs to be reported to HSE via RIDDOR
Sit back and wait for NWNF compo claim.... ?
Boosted LS1 said:
SystemParanoia said:
that dog is dangerous and should be destroyed
Don't be a plank or were you after a response? It was a nip not a mauling. I've had lots of nips over the years. Dogs can nip, they're dogs.No it's not OK. The employer has an obligation to provide safe working conditions and training to his employees. I'd suggest training him that he has to assess the dog in question and ask for it to be removed elsewhere until he's done if nec. The owner has an obligation to keep it under control. All within the reasonable test of course, if your lad kicked it then it's not out of the way. Especially if his tea didn't have 8 sugars when the dog brought it to him.
battered said:
The employer has an obligation to provide safe working conditions and training to his employees. I'd suggest training him that he has to assess the dog in question and ask for it to be removed elsewhere until he's done if nec.
Was "the lad" working on his own on this house call?battered said:
The owner has an obligation to keep it under control. All within the reasonable test of course...
<nods>Boosted LS1 said:
It was a nip not a mauling. I've had lots of nips over the years. Dogs can nip, they're dogs.
If the dog was liable to bite someone wouldn't it been a good idea of the owner to move it out the way when the plumbers turned up? The other day I refused to do a soakaway in a back garden till they cleaned the piles of dog s
t up.Good luck to anyone who has a dog but control the thing and at least clean up after it's had a No.2.
OP says the dog was on a house call.Realise you won't know but some considerations for your friend and his employee to think about.
What was the precipitating thing that caused the bite? Eg did he put something down, the dog nick it and then he tried to get it back, or what.
What signals did the dog give before going for the bite? Side eye? Nose curl? Baring teeth? Growl? Sometimes these can be subtle but if displayed none and went straight for the bite, that isn't good.
Depth of injury, is the 3mm the depth of the injury, or is it a puncture which has been ripped a little, see later.
Was it a single bite, say a single nip but with no bite inhibition, or several nips, or worst of all a bite with hold on and a shake. If the latter and with no warnings then imo it needs reporting.
Unless of course he was trying to stick a red hot poker up the dogs rear end in which case he got what he deserved. Not a serious example but hope you get my drift.
Hope that puts some helpful context.
What was the precipitating thing that caused the bite? Eg did he put something down, the dog nick it and then he tried to get it back, or what.
What signals did the dog give before going for the bite? Side eye? Nose curl? Baring teeth? Growl? Sometimes these can be subtle but if displayed none and went straight for the bite, that isn't good.
Depth of injury, is the 3mm the depth of the injury, or is it a puncture which has been ripped a little, see later.
Was it a single bite, say a single nip but with no bite inhibition, or several nips, or worst of all a bite with hold on and a shake. If the latter and with no warnings then imo it needs reporting.
Unless of course he was trying to stick a red hot poker up the dogs rear end in which case he got what he deserved. Not a serious example but hope you get my drift.
Hope that puts some helpful context.
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