Reporting Accidents and Incidents

It is a legal requirement under Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and also an insurance requirement to report all work-related injuries. All employees and students at the University are required to follow an accident/incident reporting procedure as detailed in the Accident/Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedures.

• What is an accident?
• What is a work related injury?
• Reporting accidents and incidents
• Reporting serious injuries
• Making a workers compensation claim (Employees)
• Making an insurance claim (Students)
• Travelling interstate and overseas on University business

What is an Accident?

An accident is an unplanned event or series of events which causes or has the potential to cause injury to people and/or damage to property and/or equipment. The terms accident and incident are interchangable and include 'near miss' situations.

What is a Work-Related Injury?

A work-related injury is any injury, disease or disability which arises out of or in the course of any University related activity and which requires first aid or medical treatment.

Reporting Accidents and Incidents

An accident or incident may involve fire, electricity, chemicals, equipment or journey accidents etc during the course of a working day. (Journey accidents to and from work are not compensable.)

In the event of an injury occurring, treatment should be sought from your own doctor, unless treatment is required immediately by a First Aider, the University Health Service (in an emergency) or a hospital.

If medical advice is sought (from a registered medical practitioner), an employee must inform the doctor that the injury is work-related and obtain a Workers Compensation Medical Certificate.

The employee must then complete a WorkCover Worker Report Form (available from the OH&S Unit) and send it to the Workers Compensation Claims Officer in the Human Resources Branch, OH&S Unit. (Note: this only applies to staff including students who are injured while carrying out paid work for the University). All accidents and incidents must be reported to the employee's or student's supervisor and elected Health and Safety Representative for the department/division (if one has been elected.)

The person involved in the accident/incident must complete an Accident/Incident Reporting and Investigation Form ('yellow card') as soon as practicable. These cards and WorkCover Report forms can be obtained from supervisors, department/division offices or the OH&S Unit.

If injured persons are unable to complete the yellow card, his or her supervisor should complete this document. Forms must be completed within 48 hours of the accident/incident.

Under normal circumstances the completed yellow card should be forwarded to the supervisor for signature and the completion of the sections on the back of the card. The completed yellow card should then be sent to the Human Resources Branch, OH&S Unit. At Roseworthy campus forms should be forwarded to the Campus Nurse in the first instance.

Reporting Serious Injuries

Staff and students of the University are advised that the University is required, pursuant to the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1986 (and via the OH&S Unit) to notify relevant Government Departments of all work injuries that occur:

• where that injury results in hospitalisation or death (notification must be made immediately in these cases)
• where the injury is caused by an explosion, collapse of a building, major plant malfunction, fire, electric shock or exposure to any form of liquid, gas, vapours, dusts of fumes

The OH&S Unit carries out this notification automatically when informed by the department/area.

When an accident occurs which involves only damage to equipment, plant or a building, immediate notification, for insurance purposes, must be given to the University's Insurance Officer. Such accidents must also be reported to the OH&S Unit.

If an injury occurs that has resulted in five or more days off work then the Rehabilitation Coordinator (OH&S Unit) should be notified.

Making a Workers Compensation Claim (Employees only)

Information on how to make a workers compensation claim can be obtained from the Human Resources Branch, OH&S Unit brochure Making a Workers Compensation Claim or from the contact numbers below:

• Rehabilitation Coordinator 35904
• Manager OH&S Unit 36079
• University Insurance Officer 34603

Making an Insurance Claim (Students only)

For campus, course or university related accidents/incidents students should check the claims and reporting requirements of respective insurance policies. Further information can be obtained from the contact numbers below:

Undergraduate Students

The Adelaide University Union Sports Association administers a personal accident insurance plan at low cost for all undergraduate students. Students should check the claims and reporting requirements by contacting the Sports Association Officeon ext. 35403

Postgraduate Students

The Postgraduate Students Association administers a 24 hour group personal/accident and injury insurance plan for all post graduate students. Students should check the claims and reporting requirements by contacting the PGSA Research Coordinatoron ext. 35898

Interstate and Overseas Travel

Staff travelling interstate/overseas and postgraduate students travelling overseas on University business are covered by the University's Corporate Travel Insurance Policy. For more information contact the University Insurance Officer on ext. 34603.