What staff must do when a workplace injury, incident, customer injury, property-damage event or near miss occurs.

Reporting is not about getting anybody into trouble. It allows KAS to support the people involved, control hazards and help prevent the same thing happening again.

When Would I Use This Procedure?

Use this procedure if:

• You or another staff member is injured.
• A customer, contractor or visitor is injured.
• Property or equipment is damaged.
• A near miss occurs.
• A hazard causes an incident.
• Police, fire or ambulance assistance is required.

Immediate Actions

1. Stop what you are doing.
2. Make sure you and other people are safe.
3. Stop any activity that could create further risk.
4. Warn others and prevent access to the area where practical.
5. Call for help and notify a manager, PIC or First Aid Officer immediately.
6. Provide first aid only within the scope of your training.
7. Report and document the injury, incident or near miss before leaving site.

If you cannot seek assistance yourself, another team member must do so for you.

Do not:

• Continue working through an injury.
• Wait until the next day to report it.
• Decide that an injury or near miss is too minor to report.
• Place yourself at risk while helping somebody else.
• Diagnose an injury or determine whether somebody is fit to work.

If No Manager or First Aid Officer Is Available

For a serious injury or emergency, call 000 immediately.

For a non-emergency incident requiring management assistance:

1. Use the current management contact list in TANDA 
2. Contact the next available manager if the first manager does not answer.
3. Continue until contact is made.
4. If management cannot be reached and medical treatment is required, seek appropriate medical assistance.

Call 000 Immediately

Call 000 when somebody requires immediate emergency medical assistance, including:

• Loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Significant or uncontrolled bleeding.
• Suspected neck or spinal injury.
• Serious head or eye injury.
• Crush injury.
• Severe burn.
• Chest pain.
• Any other situation presenting an immediate threat to life or safety.

Do not move a person with a suspected neck, back or spinal injury unless this is necessary to protect them from further immediate danger.

Protect people first. Paperwork comes later.

Emergency Department

The Emergency Department should be used when urgent medical treatment is required but an ambulance is not required.

Examples may include:

• Suspected fractures.
• Torn ligaments or dislocations.
• Serious cuts requiring medical treatment.
• Significant sprains.
• Serious eye injuries.
• Any injury creating immediate concern for the person’s health or safety.

A manager should help arrange transport where it is practical and safe to do so.

When in doubt, seek urgent medical attention.

Non-Emergency Workplace Injuries

If medical assessment is required but it is not an emergency, the employee may attend their chosen GP or medical provider. If the employee is leaving work because they are unfit to continue, they must notify a manager and submit sick leave where eligible.

An employee may seek treatment for a workplace injury without immediately lodging a workers compensation claim. They may decide later whether they wish to make a claim.

Examples may include:

• Minor back strains.
• Sprains or muscle injuries.
• Minor cuts requiring medical review.
• Ongoing pain following an incident.
• Repetitive strain injuries.
• Any workplace injury requiring medical assessment but not emergency treatment.

Reporting the Incident

As soon as practical:

1. Complete a Hazard and Incident Report Form.
2. Provide an accurate description of what happened.
3. Identify any witnesses.
4. Provide a witness statement if requested.
5. Assist with photographs where relevant.
6. Do not use, move or interfere with equipment involved in a serious incident unless required to make the area safe or prevent further injury.

All injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported before leaving site.

 

Medical Certificates and Workers Compensation

You may seek medical treatment for a workplace injury without immediately making a workers compensation claim. Tell the medical practitioner that the injury happened at work and keep all medical documents, invoices and receipts.

If a medical practitioner issues a Certificate of Capacity:

• Give a copy to your manager as soon as possible.
• Follow all restrictions, limitations and suitable-duty requirements.
• Attend required follow-up appointments.
• Provide updated Certificates of Capacity when issued.
• Tell your manager if your condition changes or you cannot safely perform the approved duties.

If you wish to make a workers compensation claim, notify the Store Manager. You will need to provide:

• A completed Workers Compensation Claim Form.
• A First Certificate of Capacity.
• Any relevant medical invoices, receipts or supporting documents.

The insurer decides whether the claim is accepted. A manager, KAS or your treating practitioner cannot promise or decide the outcome.

Following Medical Restrictions

You must:

• Follow the restrictions and limitations on your Certificate of Capacity.
• Perform only duties that are within your certified capacity.
• Tell a manager if an allocated task conflicts with your restrictions.
• Report any increase in symptoms or change in your condition.
• Obtain updated medical advice when required.

Managers Will

Make sure the injured person and others are safe and arrange appropriate assistance.

Control hazards and ensure the incident is documented and investigated.

Explain any required follow-up, including medical documents, workplace restrictions or the workers compensation process.

Key Reminders

• Report every injury, incident and near miss.
• Report it before leaving site.
• Protect people before completing paperwork.
• Do not work through an injury.
• Do not assume somebody else has reported it.
• Follow medical restrictions and provide updated certificates.
• If in doubt, stop and ask a manager.