It is a legal requirement for schools to report to WorkSafe serious (or notifiable) incidents involving persons such as staff, students, parents, casuals, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
Minor incidents do not need to be reported to WorkSafe. If in doubt, phone WorkSafe immediately on 132 360 to clarify whether the incident should be reported.
Incidents Reportable to WorkSafe
Schools are required to report the following incidents to WorkSafe:
- Fatalities
- Hospitalisation – Injuries requiring immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital
- Medical treatment for fractures, broken bones, serious lacerations, serious head or eye injuries, amputations, degloving, scalping, electric shock, loss of bodily functions such as loss of consciousness, fractures, etc
- Chemical exposure – Where a person requires medical treatment within 48 hours of being exposed to a chemical
- Incidents or near misses where a person in the immediate vicinity is exposed to an immediate risk from the collapse of a building or an excavation, explosion, fire, the spillage of dangerous goods or the fall from a height of any plant or equipment, etc.
Method of Reporting Incidents to WorkSafe
- The Principal (or someone on their behalf) should phone WorkSafe on 132 360 immediately they become aware of a reportable incident involving staff, students, parents, casuals, contractors, visitors, etc
- Record the Reference Number given by WorkSafe
- Complete a WorkSafe Incident Notification Form with the reference number
- Forward the Incident Notification Form to WorkSafe within 48 hours electronically via the web, by faxing it to (03) 9641 1091 or by posting it to WorkSafe at GPO Box 4306, Melbourne 3001
- If an incident has been reported to WorkSafe, you may be advised that the incident site is to be preserved.
Records
Records of incidents notified to WorkSafe will be kept for at least 5 years and made available to:
- Representatives of deceased persons
- Injured persons and those involved in near misses or their representatives
- Employees, Health and Safety Representatives or members of the Health and Safety Committee
- WorkSafe Inspectors.