All injuries to, or disease in any person that is caused as a result of operations that arose from any undertaking of the University, including traveling between a person’s residence and work must be reported.

The report must be made on the University of Canberra Accident / Incident / Hazard & Near Miss Report form  even if the injury or disease is not one that is reportable to ACT Workcover nor for which a worker compensation claim will be made.

The University requires that all incidents are properly reported, investigated and recorded. Accident/Incident/ Hazard & Near miss reporting and investigation is vital in the process of prevention. Wherever possible, hazards should be identified before they result in injury and investigations of near-miss accidents can help to achieve this.

Investigation of incidents will identify potential hazards and solution which can protect the workforce. Incidents often involves personal trauma and significant loss to the University. Staff members are our most valuable asset and must be protected accordingly. Through incident reporting and investigation contributes to a safer working environment.

The Health & Safety unit can only act if notified of ACCIDETS/ INCIDENTS/ HAZARDS & NEAR MISSES. The procedure is:

• If you are hurt and require first aid please seek help from your First Aid Officer in your area, if you require medical attention* do so straight away by phoning the University Medical Centre.
• In cases of serious injury/illness phone an ambulance.
• Notify your immediate supervisor or manager as soon as possible.
• If you have had a work related injury/accident/incident/near-miss you are required to fill out an Accident/Incident/ Hazard & Near miss report (available on web under hr/forms).
• This should be completed where possible within 12 hours of accident/incident.
• The Supervisor/Manager/Head of School is required to comment on this form and where practical, the Health and Safety Representative for your area.
• This form is to be sent/delivered to the Health & Safety Office and recorded. (A copy should be kept by the employee’s and supervisor/manager.
• Once received, a member of the Health and Safety Office will contact the injured employee to give assistance. The case manager may refer the employee to a Rehabilitation Provider**(if necessary). If the employee wishes to lodge a compensation claim the case manager will assisted in this process.
• The Health & Safety Office will contact the supervisor and investigate the accident/incident identifying hazards (if any) and make recommendations.

*If you require medical attention the University has arranged that the Health and Counselling Centre to be our preferred provider. This will enable you to attend a medical appointment close by. A Comcare Medical Certificate will be filled out detailing your injury/disease, recommended treatment and any work restrictions. The medical certificate will be sent directly to the Health & Safety unit with the accompanying account. This will enable a fast process of accounts and investigation of accident/injury. The account can only be paid on receipt of University of Canberra Accident / Incident / Hazard / Near Miss Report form.

**Rehabilitation Providers are Comcare approved and are commonly health professionals; they assist the injured employee and case manager in the return to work process.