H1. Hazard Reporting

H1.1 Introduction
H1.2 Standard
H1.3 Procedures   
   H1.3.1 Individual obligations
   H1.3.2 'Near miss' incidents
   H1.3.3 Report form
   H1.3.4 Hazard investigation
   H1.3.5 USQSafe action
   H1.3.6 Executive workplace health and safety committee action

H1.1 Introduction   

H1.2  Standard

If an individual sees any item of plant, any procedure or any incident which has caused or has the potential to cause injury to people or damage to property, and it cannot be immediately rectified, they must inform their Supervisor as soon as possible.

H1.3  Procedures

H1.3.1 Individual obligations

Individuals have an obligation to eliminate, guard against or protect others from any hazards as soon as they are recognised.  If the hazards cannot be rectified immediately, the person must report the hazards to their Supervisor, and to USQSafe on the Hazard Report and Investigation form. 

If there is imminent danger, the person recognising the danger must:

• take steps to isolate the danger by closing doors, evacuating the area, etc;
• restrict entry;
• contact the Switchboard on ext 2222; and
• advise the Building Warden or appropriate Category 4 Delegate or above.

H1.3.2 "Near miss" incidents

If a person is involved in a ‘near miss' incident, this should be recorded on a Hazard Report and Investigation form.  A ‘near miss' is an incident that although it did not result in an injury or disease, it had the potential to do so.  Reporting of minor and near miss incidents can lead to prevention of more serious accidents.

H1.3.3 Report form

A Hazard Report and Investigation form is also available from faculty or department administration sections, the Student Services Medical Clinic or USQSafe.

The individual recognising the hazard must complete the relevant sections of the Hazard Report and Investigation form and pass it to their Supervisor or Category 4 Delegate or above who will forward it to USQSafe.

H1.3.4 Hazard investigation

The Supervisor must carry out an investigation and make recommendations as to corrective action to the appropriate Category 4 Delegate or above of the area where the hazard was recognised.  The relevant Delegate must ensure that action has been taken to eliminate the cause. 

The relevant Delegate must advise the person who reported the hazard of the follow-up actions taken.

H1.3.5 USQSafe action

USQSafe will keep copies of all Hazard Reports and use a tracking system to ensure all actions are completed.  If the investigation is beyond the scope of the originator's supervisor or faculty, USQSafe will assign an investigator.

The Manager, USQSafe will review all Hazard Reports and make recommendatons to the Executive Workplace Health and Safety Committee.

H1.3.6 Executive workplace health and safety committee action

Tha Hazard reporting system is a "closed loop" system and as such all safety reports may only be closed by consensus of the Executive Workplace Health and Safety Committee.