Incident Response

This procedure outlines what staff and managers must do when a workplace incident, injury, near miss, customer injury, or other safety-related event occurs.

The purpose of incident reporting is to:

• Ensure injured people receive appropriate support.
• Identify and manage hazards.
• Meet workplace health and safety obligations.
• Prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

Reporting an incident is not about getting people into trouble. It allows management to provide support, arrange treatment if required, investigate hazards, and meet legal obligations.

 

When Would I Use This Procedure?

Use this procedure if:

• A staff member is injured.
• A customer is injured.
• A contractor or visitor is injured.
• Property is damaged.
• A near miss occurs.
• A hazard results in an incident.
• Emergency services are required.

Immediate Actions (Everyone)

1. Stop what you are doing.
2. Make the area safe.
3. Move to a safe area if it is safe and practical to do so.
4. Tell someone immediately, call for help, seek a manager. If you are unable to seek assistance yourself, another team member must seek assistance on your behalf.
5. Locate a manager and/or First Aid Officer. Check offices, back rooms, ect.

6. I f no manager or First Aid Officer is available onsite:

·           For serious injuries or emergencies, call 000 immediately.

·           For non-emergency incidents requiring management assistance, contact a manager directly using the current management contact list, available in TANDA.

·           If no manager answers, contact the next available manager.

·           Continue attempting to contact management until contact is made.

·           If management cannot be reached and urgent medical treatment is required, seek appropriate medical assistance immediately.

7.      REPORT the incident/ near miss. All injuries, incidents and near misses must be reported before leaving site.

Do not:

• Continue working through an injury.
• Wait until the next day to report it.
• Decide for yourself whether the injury is serious enough to report.

The current management contact list can be found in:

• TANDA Contacts
• Staff Noticeboard

 

Medical Treatment

Call 000 Immediately If There Is:

• Loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Significant bleeding.
• Suspected neck or spinal injury.
• Serious head injury.
• Serious eye injury.
• Crush injury.
• Severe burn.
• Chest pain.
• Any situation where immediate emergency medical assistance is required.

Protect people first. Paperwork comes later.

Do not move a person with a suspected neck, back, or spinal injury unless required to prevent further immediate danger.

 

When to Use the Emergency Department (ED)

The Emergency Department should be used when urgent medical treatment is required but emergency services are not required.

Examples include:

• Suspected fractures.
• Torn ligaments.
• Dislocations.
• Serious cuts requiring medical treatment.
• Significant sprains.
• Serious eye injuries.
• Any injury where there is immediate concern for the person's health or safety.

When practical and safe to do so, transport the injured person to the Emergency Department.

When in doubt, seek urgent medical attention.

 

When to Use Sonic HealthPlus

For non-emergency workplace injuries, managers should arrange a Workers Compensation appointment through Sonic HealthPlus. If they’re not available the staff member should book an appointment elsewhere for the same day, before leaving.

Examples include:

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

Sonic HealthPlus:

• Has experience managing workplace injuries.
• Can issue Certificates of Capacity.
• Can issue scan referrals and specialist referrals.
• Assists with return-to-work planning.
• Generally has shorter wait times than the Emergency Department for non-emergency injuries.

Booking a Sonic HealthPlus Appointment

1. Contact Sonic HealthPlus on 1300 763 822.
2. Advise the appointment relates to a workplace injury.
3. Provide the employee's details.
4. Book the earliest practical appointment.
5. If an appointment cannot be obtained within a reasonable timeframe and medical assessment is required, attend the Emergency Department.
6. Record the appointment details in the calendar and advise the employee.

Karratha Adventure Sports Client ID: 81004594

The business will be invoiced directly. Employees should not be required to pay.

 

Incident Reporting

As soon as practical:

1. Complete a Hazard/Incident Report.
2. Obtain witness statements where appropriate.
3. Take photographs if relevant.
4. Preserve any equipment, product or area involved if required for investigation.
5. Management will upload photos of the incident report to the Managers TANDA Chat.

 

Management Responsibilities

When notified of an incident, the manager or PIC responsible for the incident must ensure:

1. The injured person is safe.
2. Any immediate hazards are controlled or removed.
3. Appropriate first aid or medical treatment is arranged if required.
4. A Hazard/Incident Report is completed.
5. Witness statements are obtained where appropriate.
6. Photographs are taken where relevant.
7. Evidence is preserved for serious incidents.
8. Other managers are informed through the Managers TANDA Chat.
9. Peninsula is contacted where required.
10. Any additional reporting obligations are completed.

Managers may delegate tasks such as obtaining witness statements, taking photographs, or completing documentation. However, the manager remains responsible for ensuring these actions are completed and appropriately communicated to the management team.

Managers must never:

• Diagnose injuries.
• Determine fitness for work.
• Ignore or dismiss reported injuries or incidents.

 

Workers Compensation

If a workplace injury requires ongoing treatment, restrictions, or time away from work, the matter may become a Workers Compensation claim.

Managers must:

• Obtain a copy of any Certificate of Capacity.
• Review restrictions and limitations.
• Provide suitable duties where possible.
• Ensure restrictions are followed.
• Ensure follow-up appointments are attended.
• Ensure other managers are aware of any restrictions through TANDA.

Where an employee receives a First Certificate of Capacity:

1. Obtain a copy of the certificate.
2. Review restrictions and limitations.
3. Ensure only suitable duties are allocated.
4. Notify other managers through TANDA.
5. Ensure Peninsula has been contacted.
6. Ensure follow-up appointments continue until a Final Certificate of Capacity is issued.

 

If the Employee Believes They Are Unfit for Work

If an employee has a current Certificate of Capacity but advises they cannot perform the approved duties:

1. Remove the employee from duties if required for safety.
2. Advise the employee to return to their treating practitioner or attend the Emergency Department.
3. Obtain an updated Certificate of Capacity.

If an employee leaves site due to pain while on Workers Compensation, they must immediately attend Sonic HealthPlus or the Emergency Department.

Managers must not make medical decisions on behalf of a doctor.

The current Certificate of Capacity remains in force until replaced by an updated certificate.

 

Following Medical Restrictions

Employees are required to comply with any restrictions, limitations, or recommendations provided by their treating practitioner.

Managers must:

• Follow the restrictions listed on the Certificate of Capacity.
• Ensure suitable duties are provided.
• Escalate concerns regarding compliance to the Store Manager or Natasha.
• Contact Peninsula for advice where required.

 

Notification Requirements

Natasha must be notified through the TANDA Managers Chat of:

• Any workplace injury requiring off-site medical treatment.
• Any Workers Compensation claim.
• Any incident with potential WorkSafe reporting requirements.
• Any incident involving police, fire or ambulance attendance.

Potentially reportable incidents may include:

• Death.
• Serious injury or illness.
• Hospital admission.
• Electric shock.
• Collapse of a structure.
• Fire or explosion.
• Dangerous chemical release.
• Serious machinery incident.

 

 

Pay During Workers Compensation Claims

Workers Compensation claims are assessed by the insurer and are not automatically approved if a injury occurs at work.

If an employee is unable to attend work due to a workplace injury and a Workers Compensation claim has not yet been accepted:

• Time not worked will generally be unpaid unless the employee elects to use accrued leave entitlements.
• Employees may choose to use available Annual Leave or Long Service Leave (where applicable) while the claim is being assessed.
• Casual employees generally do not have access to paid leave entitlements.

Where leave is used and a Workers Compensation claim is later accepted, any reimbursement or restoration of leave will be determined by the insurer and applicable legislation.

Once a Workers Compensation claim is lodged, the insurer will assess:

• The circumstances of the injury.
• Medical evidence and Certificates of Capacity.
• The employee's work history and average earnings.
• Any other relevant information.

The insurer will then determine:

• Whether the claim is accepted.
• Whether compensation payments are payable.
• The amount of any compensation payments.

Managers must not promise:

• Claim acceptance.
• Wage reimbursement.
• Medical expense reimbursement.
• Any specific outcome relating to a Workers Compensation claim.

These decisions are made by the insurer based on the information provided.

 

Keywords

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