Accident/Incident Reporting and Making a Workers Compensation Claim

It is a legal requirement under Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) legislation in all States and Territories and an insurance requirement to report all work injuries.

For serious accidents the area may need to be isolated/barricaded and security may need to be informed. Some accidents must be reported immediately to SafeWork SA via the Occupational Health and Safety Unit. THIS IS A LEGALREQUIREMENT. Evidence must be retained - for example broken glass, spilt chemicals, any unknown substance that is involved.

Definition

1. Accident. An unplanned event which causes injury and/or damage to property and/or equipment.
2. Work Injury. Any injury, occupational disease or disability which arises out of or in the course of any University sponsored activity and which requires first-aid or medical treatment.

The information is essentially the same for all staff, but there are some variations in local procedures for staff based in different areas.

Workers Compensation legislation and claim procedures are different in different States and Territories.

Click below to find the procedures relevant to you:

• All Adelaide based staff except for School of Medicine
• School of Medicine staff working at the Flinders Medical Centre
• Staff in rural locations in South Australia
• Staff located in Victoria
• Staff located in the Northern Territory
• Staff undertaking Field Trips

Students, visitors and contractors are not covered by Flinders University workers compensation insurance but may have other insurance cover.

Students, visitors and contractors should use the accident reporting procedures relevant to staff in their location.

Advice regarding insurance cover for visitors and contractors is available from the University Insurance Officer, (telephone: 8201 2618).

Staff based in Adelaide

• If you are located at the main campus - including the Sturt Campus and the Mark Oliphant building, click here.
• If you are a Flinders University staff member located at the Flinders Medical Centre, click here.

Staff at the Main Campus

Reporting of Accidents and Incidents

1. An accident may involve injury to a staff member or other person, damage to equipment or buildings or both. It may include fire, electrical, spillage, equipment or journey accidents during the course of the working day.
   
   
2. Journey accidents to and from work are not covered by the Workers' Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1986. However, some reimbursement may be available in accordance with the Collective Workplace Agreement 2006-2008. Contact Personnel Policy and Practice for further information
   
   
3. If an injury is incurred then treatment should be obtained from the staff member's own doctor, unless treatment is required immediately from either a First Aider, Health Service Nurse or the Flinders Medical Centre.
   
   If a doctor is consulted the staff member must advise him or her that the injury is work related and obtain a Workers Compensation Medical Certificate from the doctor.The staff member must then make a Workers Compensation Claim.
   
   
4. All accidents and incidents must be immediately reported orally to the supervisor of the staff member concerned and to the Area Health and Safety Representative.
   
   
5. The person involved in the accident must complete an "Accident/Incident Report Form" as soon as practicable and forward it on to their supervisor who completes the section at the back of the form. These forms and WorkCover "Worker Report Forms" are available from boxes in common rooms, and from the School offices, the Librarian and the OH&S Unit. The form can also be printed by clicking here.
   
   
6. Where, due to the accident, the person concerned is unable to complete an "Accident/Incident Report Form" then arrangements must be made for his or her supervisor to complete the form. These forms must be completed no later than 24 hours after the accident/incident.
   
   
7. The completed form must be forwarded to the supervisor concerned who undertakes an investigation of the accident/incident and completes the section at the back of the form. The supervisor may suggest alternative measures which could prevent a similar accident occurring in the future. The completed form must then be sent to the Head of the OH&S Unit, Registry Annexe.
   
   
8. If the supervisor is absent from work the staff member must forward the form directly to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.
   
   
9. The University is required, pursuant to the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, 1986 and via the Occupational Health and Safety Unit to notify Workplace Services of all work injuries which occur where:

(1) that injury results in the death of a staff member;

and/or;

(2) injury is caused by:

i. an explosion or fire;

ii. electric shock; or

iii exposure to any form of liquid, gas, vapours, dust or fumes;

and;

(3) the injury results in the person being admitted to hospital overnight.

10. Where an accident occurs which involves only damage to equipment, plant or a building, immediate notification, for insurance purposes must be given to the Insurance Officer, (extension 1 2618). Such accidents must also be reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit as noted above.

11. If an injury has occurred that has resulted in 3 or more days off work then the Head of the OH&S Unit must be advised.

Making a Workers Compensation Claim

If a staff member is injured during working hours they are entitled to lodge a workers compensation claim.

To place a workers compensation claim the staff member must consult a doctor (registered medical practitioner).

The staff member must advise the treating doctor that the injury is work related and obtain a Workers Compensation Medical Certificate from the doctor.

The staff member must also complete a WorkCover "Worker Report Form" available from boxes in common rooms, and from the School offices, the Librarian and the Occupational Health & Safety Unit.

The completed WorkCover "Worker Report Form", University "Accident/Incident Report Form" and Workers Compensation Medical Certificate should be sent to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit. The OH&S Unit will forward the claim to the Claims Management Unit.

The staff member is legally responsible for all medical and associated costs until the claim has been accepted. Accounts should therefore be addressed to the staff member NOT the University. Please advise treatment providers of this.

The staff member, supervisor and department are then notified that the claim has been lodged, and are later notified by the Claims Management Unit whether or not the claim has been accepted.

If a claim is accepted, all accounts for medical expenses relating to that injury must be forwarded to the OH&S Unit for registration prior to payment by the Claims Management Unit. This includes all accounts from approved treating practitioners (physiotherapist etc), all travel expenses (a recording form can be obtained from the OH&S Unit) and all pharmaceutical expenses related to the treatment program.

If the injury is such that three or more days off work are required then Vocational Rehabilitation may be required to assist with return to work. The OH&S Unit must be advised of any such absence following a work injury/illness.

 

 

 

Updated: 27 November 2007