As an employee of Belgravia Leisure, it is important that you are aware of your obligations when it comes to reporting notifiable incidents and child safety concerns. These are mandatory requirements under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws, and failure to comply can result in serious consequences for both individuals and the company.
What is this about?
A person who conducts a business and undertaking (PCBU, Belgravia Group) must notify their WHS regulator of certain serious incidents at work, referred to as ‘notifiable incidents’. This is a mandatory requirement under WHS laws.
Child Safety concerns are also reportable. Depending on the State/Territory, mandatory reporting and reporting under the Reportable Conduct Scheme (where the alleged perpetrator is an employee/volunteer) may also apply.
This Safety Alert will provide an overview of what notifiable incidents are and what process to follow should they occur.
What is a ‘notifiable incident’?
A ‘notifiable incident’ is:
- The death of a person
- A ‘serious injury or illness, or
- A ‘dangerous incident’
Arising out of the conduct of a business or undertaking at a workplace.
‘Notifiable incidents’ may relate to any person – whether an employee, contractor or member of the public.
Examples of such incidents can include fatality, electrical shock, amputation, loss of bodily function, serious laceration, immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital (for any duration), immediate treatment for a spinal injury, medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance, etc.
More information HERE on notifiable incidents from Safe Work Australia.
What you need to do when a ‘notifiable incident occurs:
- Follow the normal Belgravia online incident reporting process via B-Connected.
- Remember to answer ‘Yes’ to ” Is this incident a Worksafe notifiable”.
- It is important that the incident is reported quickly as we have an obligation to notify regulators immediately after becoming aware of the incident, and in writing within 48 hours of the incident. But don’t worry- a member of the safety team will manage this so that you can focus on the team and supporting the venue.
- Preserve the incident site until an inspector arrives or you are directed by the safety team to return to normal operations.
- Site preservation includes preserving equipment and chemicals involved (unless leaving them at venue creates more hazard of course!).
Who can notify the relevant state regulator:
All regulator interactions, including Child Safe, WorkSafe and energy regulators, may only occur through the Safety Team (Liz). This enables the local teams to invest their time managing the incident and staff, while the Safety Team manage the Regulator relationship during the critical time.
What you need to do when a Child Safety incident occurs:
- Follow the normal Belgravia online incident reporting process via B-Connected.
- Remember to select ‘Child Protection’ as the Incident Type.
- It is important that the incident is reported quickly as we have an obligation to notify regulators immediately after becoming aware of the incident. But don’t worry – a member of the Safety Team will manage this so that you can focus on the team and supporting the venue.
- Gather evidence including CCTV, witness statements, interviews with the child/guardian.
Need support or advice?
Contact the Safety Team members listed below for any clarification or assistance.
- Liz van Deventer, Group Health & Safety Manager
- Ettienne Verster, Safety Advisor
- Meliza Smith, Health & Safety Administrator
- Scott Vanderheyden, Leisure Aquatic Safety Manager
If you have been impacted by a workplace incident or find the content of the communication distressing, the Belgravia Group has an independent employee assistance program with access to qualified psychologists and counsellors 24/7.
If you wish to access this support, you can make contact by calling 1300 OUR EAP.
