SHEWS - Incidents & Hazards

Overview

CQUniversity is committed to the development of a systematic approach to the management of Safety, Health and the Environment. The aim is to provide a framework for the types of hazards and incidents to be reported and a process which hazards and incidents are to be investigated, controlled and monitored. 

Incident and Hazard reporting is recognised as an important component in hazard control and accident prevention. The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 along with the Electrical Safety Act, requires that employers keep a record of all work-related injuries, illnesses and dangerous events. However employees are also required to report all workplace injuries and illness and unsafe work practices or conditions. 

Definition

The following definitions can be found in the SHEWS Incident and Hazard Reporting and Investigation Procedures:

• Hazard
• Risk
• Dangerous Event
• Serious Bodily Injury
• Work-Caused Injury
• Work-Caused Illness
• Work Injury
• Near Miss
• Workplace Incident

Incident Recording Form 

The ‘Incident / Hazard Report Form' is to be used to record and investigate all incidents and hazards.

Hazard Reporting 

Hazards, if not corrected, can cause accidents and injuries. The Hazard Report Form is designed to be used where assistance is required in order to remove or alleviate the hazard.

Once a hazard has been identified, and the person considers that the problem cannot be easily rectified, an ‘Incident / Hazard Report Form' is to be filled out and given to the Supervisor.

The Supervisor is to complete the relevant sections indicating what control options were taken, the risk levels before and after a control is implemented and verify if the hazard / risk has been rectified (sign off)

Incident Reporting 

When a workplace incident occurs, including a near miss incident, the supervisor of his/her work area must be notified as soon as possible. An Incident / Hazard Report Form is to be completed and given to the Supervisor within three days of the event occurring.

The Incident/Hazard Report Form does not replace the need for employees injured at work, or with a work-related illness, to complete an application for worker's compensation should they wish to make a claim.

Inicident Investigation 

An incident investigation is to be conducted for all incidents using the Incident / Hazard Report Form.

The degree of investigation will depend on the severity of the incident

A full and comprehensive investigation should be conducted for all reportable incidents to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and all lost time injuries

Supervisors, the Health Safety and Environment Advisors and Workplace Health and Safety Representatives are to be involved in the investigation

The incident investigation is to identify the causal factors of an incident and to recommend preventative actions that will eliminate or minimise the risk of a similar incident recurring.

In the case of a fatality, or serious bodily injury, after completing any emergency action required, details of the incident must be provided without delay to the Manager of Health, Safety, Environment  and Training (ext. 6471 and or mobile 0417751590).

For any other work caused illness, injury or dangerous event, the Health, Safety Environmental and Training Unit must be advised as soon as possible and by no later than 24 hours after the event.