In 2024, the latest Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia reported that over the previous 12 months, there has been an injury rate of 3.5% in the Australian workplace – roughly 1/3 of the Global rate.

With billions of dollars in losses for Australian companies related to incidents occuring in the workplace, implementing preventative actions would increase the Australian economy approximately $28.6 billion each year (based on the Safer, Healthier, Wealthier research conducted by SafeWork Australia, 2022).

What are my obligations under safety legislation?

Under current WHS legislation, PCBUs must ensure that any workplace accidents are handled in a way that:

• maximises understanding of the underlying causes and
• minimises the likelihood of recurrence

Employers must ensure:

• All  incidents are reported
• All incidents are investigated
• Implementation of risk control measures and corrective action plan
• Control measures are monitored and adjusted as required
• Records of the incident and outcomes kept.

So when recording an incident what should you record?

You should include as a minimum on the incident form:

• The name and address (if possible) of the person/s involved
• Time and location of the incident
• Time the date the incident was reported
• How the incident happened
• Description of any object, activity, machine or chemicals involved
• What the person was doing at the time
• Nature and circumstances of the incident
• Any witnesses to the incident
• Any witness statements

How can the Online WHS System assist your business with better Incident Management?

The Incident Management modules in the Online WHS System allows you to create customisable Incident Reporting templates based on relevant incident types in your workplace.

Default incident types are already preloaded into your system for ease of transition.

The newly incorporated ‘Private Incident Types‘ management tool will allow you to streamline your sensitive-type incidents to only be visible to and managed by certain reponsible people.

To discuss how we can support your business in better managing your incident management processes, BOOK A DEMONSTRATION HERE or contact us at hello@whssystems.com.au.