Recording and reporting accidents

To keep a workplace safe and healthy and as part of an effective system for identifying and managing hazards in the workplace, employers, principals and self-employed persons have to maintain accident registers. Accident registers must include all accidents or incidents that harmed or might have harmed any person at work.

It is important that everyone in the workplace knows:

• how to report accidents so that they can be recorded on the accident register;
• what accidents have occurred in the workplace, so they can contribute to continuous improvement of the health and safety of their workplace.

A register must include a record of every occurrence of harm (including serious harm), as well as near misses, at work.

When an incident involving serious harm occurs at work, employers, principals and self-employed persons must:

1) As soon as possible notify the Department by telephone or by fax (NOT by mail), describing:

• What has happened;
• To whom; and
• Where.

2) Within seven days must provide written notice in the required form to their nearest Departmental regional office. If the employer, self-employed person, or principal does not know about the incident within seven days, written notification must be made as soon as possible after they become aware of the incident.

Go To

• Definition of Serious Harm
• Accidents
• Accident Register and Form for Notification of Serious Harm
• Contacting Departmental regional office