If an incident happens at your workplace, it is important to investigate what caused it. The investigation will help you take corrective actions to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
After an incident happens, workers need to report it to the employer. The employer may need to report the incident to the WSCC.
What is an “Incident”? When it comes to Occupational Health and Safety, an incident is something that happened during work or because of a work task, which resulted in, or could have resulted in, any of the following:
- an injury
- an illness
- a dangerous occurrence
- significant damage to equipment or a worksite building
- a death
If an incident happens, workers who were involved or witnessed it must immediately report the incident to their supervisor – even if no one is injured. Reporting and investigating “near miss” incidents helps to improve safety planning and can help prevent future incidents.
NOTE: If the incident has caused serious bodily injury, a dangerous occurrence, or a fatality, you must report it to the WSCC as soon as possible. Call toll-free: 1-800-661-0792.
- Accident causing serious bodily injury: An incident at a work site that causes or could be expected to cause the death of an individual or requires an individual to be admitted to a hospital as an in-patient for a period of 24 hours or more.
- Dangerous occurrence: Any incident that does not result in but could have resulted in an accident that causes serious bodily injury (example: structural collapse, contact with electricity).
> Incident Investigations
An investigation should begin as soon as possible after an incident has occurs. This is an opportunity for the investigation team to observe the conditions as they were at the time, prevent disturbance of evidence, and reach out to witnesses.
- The goal of the investigation is not to find fault or place blame.
- The investigation should identify what factors caused the incident and help identify controls to put in place so that a similar incident does not happen again.
> Incident Investigation Reports
Incident reports are vital tools that help employers and supervisors track the incidents that occur at their workplace. Completing incident reports provides information about the incident (photos and descriptions) and contact information for the worker(s) involved in the incident.
Required Documentation
- Incident resulting in an injury or illness:
- Worker’s Report of Injury: When the injured worker is able, they must complete a Worker’s Report of Injury.
- Employer’s Report of Incident: Employer must submit an Employer’s Report of Incident to the WSCC within three business days of the incident on WSCC Connect.
- Accidents Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Dangerous Occurrences:
- Verbal Report: Employers must call and report these types of incidents to the WSCC as soon as possible after confirming that the incident scene is safe and medical help is on the way. The employer or supervisor must call WSCC’s toll-free Incident & Injury Reporting Line at 1-800-661-0792.
- Written Report: Employers must submit an Employer’s Report of Incident to the WSCC within three business days on WSCC Connect.
- Incident Investigation: The employer will coordinate an incident investigation. After the investigation, the employer will write an Incident Investigation Report.
Regulatory Reference
- OHS Regulations: Sections 3, 8, 9, 28, 29
