Do you know what to do in case of a WHS incident?
Does your business have a WHS policy? Do you know what to do in case one of your employees is injured on the job? This is even more critical for tradesman due to the risk prone nature of their work.
Australian employers have an obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, as well as this it is imperative all businesses have a current and accurate WHS policy. If your business does not have this, it is adviseable that an audit is carried out to help improve a businesses WHS performance. The below is an initial guide for businesses on what to do should an incident occur.
In case of a Work Health and Safety (WHS) injury, the following procedure should be followed:
- Secure the Scene: Ensure the safety of all personnel and prevent further harm or damage.
- Provide Medical Assistance: Attend to the injured and notify emergency services if necessary.
- Inform Supervisor: Report the incident to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
- Preserve the Incident Site: Make the site safe and secure it to ensure that it is not disturbed.
- Collect Information: Gather details about the incident, including what happened, how it happened, and who was involved.
- Document the Incident: Complete a confidential incident/injury report form.
- Review and Update Emergency Plan: Ensure that the emergency plan is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any new risks or changes in procedures.
It’s important to tailor the emergency plan to your workplace, considering the nature of your work, hazards at the workplace, workplace size and location, workforce size and structure, and any external hazards2. Training should also be provided to workers on emergency procedures, including evacuations, first aid, and safely shutting down machinery.
Use the above as a starting point for your business to put into practice a compliant WHS policy.
