This procedure describes how the Australian National University (ANU) investigates, reports and takes action when incidents and events (referred to in this procedure as incidents) occur following injuries, illness, hazards and other system failures with a potential to impact on health and safety. This procedure links to the Work Health and Safety policy and meets compliance requirements for incident management as defined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act), the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011(Cth) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (Cth).

immediate treatment as an in‑patient in a hospital; or immediate treatment for the amputation of any part of his or her body; or a serious head injury; or a serious eye injury; or a serious burn; or the separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as de-gloving or scalping); or a spinal injury; or the loss of a bodily function; or serious laceration; or

First aid injury (FAI) is any workplace injury which requires immediate first aid treatment. It does not warrant treatment at the level provided by a qualified medical practitioner and the injured person can return to work within the shift.

Near miss is an occurrence/event that may have resulted in an injury or illness. A near miss can be notifiable as prescribed in the WHS Act based on the potential risk of an event.

Notifiable Radiation Incidents mean incidents prescribed under section 58 of Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018 that must be reported to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). In the context of ANU, this mean

Incident or event is an occurrence that could have or did result in harm to a person, the environment or property damage.

Emergency is the result of an incident requiring immediate action and a coordinated response that may include external emergency response services and coordination of stakeholders until the situation is controlled.

Lost time injury (LTI) is a workplace injury or illness significant enough to require: admission to hospital; the next full scheduled day of work missed, is the result of an event, and is outside the control of the WHS management systems of the University. An LTI is not an aggravation of pre-existing injury.

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Medical treatment injury (MTI) is a workplace injury or illness, significant enough to require treatment by a qualified medical professional (for example a doctor). Treatment at this level begins with a stich/suture or a prescription. A sterile strip (medical skin closer) to close a wound is not an MTI as a First Aider could apply this as a standard item in a first aid kit. Visits to a physiotherapist following a workplace injury are an MTI if more than four visits are required.

Let motorists slow down their vehicles before an upcoming dip on the road. Sign also prevents hydroplaning during rains!

Diproadsignmeaning

Let motorists slow down their vehicles before an upcoming dip on the road. Sign also prevents hydroplaning during rains!

This procedure is further explained in and supplemented by WHSMS Handbook Chapter 3.16 Incident and Hazard Reporting and Chapter 4.3 Incident Investigations.

The Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS) Handbook provides practical guidance for University and its local areas on how to implement the University WHS Management System and defines the responsibilities and actions required by management and workers within the management system.

US traffic signs

Dangerous incident means an incident, prescribed under WHS Act 2011 (Cth) Section 37, in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a person’s health or safety emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to:

Radiation accident is an occurrence associated with controlled apparatus, controlled materials or at a controlled facility, which results in, or has the potential to result in, exposure to ionising or non-ionising radiation, such as to injure, damage or harm any person or the environment. This includes occurrences involving, or resulting from, acts or omissions that were deliberate, reckless or negligent.

Workers is anyone who carries out work for the University and include staff, Visiting and Honorary Appointments (VaHA), volunteers, titleholders, affiliates, labour hiring workers, student gaining work experience and contractors of ANU. HDR students may be ANU workers depending on their role but they are covered under the scope of this procedure.

Notifiable incident to Comcare is an incident that results in death(s), serious injury or illness and/or a dangerous incident.