Who is responsible for investigating an incident ?

The immediate supervisor or the person responsible for the work area/ task or process

The immediate supervisor or the person responsible for the work area/task or process (nominated by the reporter) will receive an auto-generated email notification from the OHSW&IM system when a hazard/incident report is submitted. 

This notification informs them that an incident has occurred or hazard identified and an investigation must commence.   A link to the hazard/incident report detail is provided in the email notification.

The investigation shall be conducted, in consultation with the person involved, the health and safety representative (where applicable) and any other relevant personnel or subject matter experts where necessary. 

Investigation findings and corrective action taken or planned must be entered into the online investigation report by the nominated investigator and submitted within 5 working days of the incident occurring or hazard identified wherever possible.  Exception is made in circumstances where an incident requires more complex investigation.

Note:  If you have been incorrectly selected as the responsible person to investigate a hazard or incident, or you are unavailable at the time i.e. on leave or overseas, you must notify the reporter of the occurrence and OHSW&IM Services to advise of the next appropriate responsible person to allow the necessary notifications to be made.

For more detailed information refer to the OHSW Incident/Hazard Reporting and Investigation Procedure.