OH&S - Hazard Reporting

Definition
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to a person, the environment or property.

Importance of reporting

Reporting hazards will prevent accidents/incidents and will improve safety on campus. If you identify a hazard it is important that you report it immediately to ensure controls are put in place to eliminate/reduce the chance of an accident/incident occurring.

If it is a hazard that can be fixed easily like a electrical cord across a pathway or a spill then the hazard does not need to be reported, But if the hazard can not be fixed by yourself (for instance a broken power point) then it must be reported.

For all hazards identified a Hazard report form must be completed.

Completing the report form

The form is divided into 4 sections to be completed by various persons as follows:

Section A is to be completed by the person who notices or observes the hazard. The hazard report form should then be passed to the person’s supervisor as soon as possible after the hazard has been identified.

Section B is to be completed by the immediate supervisor and corrective action taken if possible to address the identified hazard and the action recorded. If a different Unit is responsible for the follow up action, then the supervisor should quickly pass the Hazard Report form onto the Manager of the area responsible for remedial action.

Section C is to be completed by the person responsible for corrective action and then this person will provide feedback to the person who initiated the hazard report form and record this communication on the hazard report form. A copy of the completed report should then be forwarded to both the COFA OHS coordinator and the OHS and Workers Compensation Unit.

Section D is to be completed by the Manager OHS & Wokers Compensation Unit or delegate if a system wide response is required to the identified hazard.