Issue Date:  -  Friday, 12 September 2003

Employers still not reporting injuries

A reminder has been issued to all employers that they have an obligation to report certain injuries to WorkSafe.

Several recent court cases involving breaches of the legislation covering reporting have led to the reminder.

WorkSafe inspectors will embark on a Targeted Enforcement Drive on injury reporting in October, aimed at heightening awareness of reporting requirements and increasing the number of injuries reported.

WorkSafe Acting Executive Director Nina Lyhne said today that the message did not seem to be getting through to employers.

"Failure to report injuries can carry hefty penalties, and employers need to be aware of their reporting obligations," Ms Lyhne said.

"The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that WorkSafe be notified of certain types of injuries that occur in workplaces, and while there is no accurate way of knowing how many notifiable incidents are not reported, we believe the incidence on non-reporting could be as high as 80 per cent.

"This is a very worrying trend, and WorkSafe intends to take a hard line approach where employers fail to report injuries."

The types of injuries that must be notified to WorkSafe include:

A fracture of the spine, skull or pelvis;
A fracture of any bone in the arm, other than the wrist or hand or in the leg, other than a bone in the ankle or foot;
An amputation of an arm, hand, finger, finger joint, leg, foot, toe or toe joint;
The loss of sight in an eye; and
Any other injury which, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, is likely to prevent the employee from being able to work within 10 days of the day on which the injury occurred.

If an employee incurs and injury or disease that results in death, or if any of the above injuries are sustained, the employer must notify the WorkSafe Commissioner.

Incidents can be reported by telephone on the Incident and Accident Reporting Line on 1800 678 198, or by faxing the prescribed form to WorkSafe on 9321 7989 or via the Internet site at www.safetyline.wa.gov.au.

"The reporting of injuries is a vital part of the occupational safety and health system in WA, and I urge employers to make reporting an important part of their business practices," Ms Lyhne said.

"Recent contact with all worker's compensation insurance companies in WA has confirmed that all current worker's compensation claim forms now provide specific instructions to employers on reporting obligations.

"WorkSafe inspectors are now actively investigating the timeliness of employer injury reporting as part of all inspection work.

"We have serious concerns with the current lack of reporting, and any employer or principle employer who breaches this part of the Act can expect to be subject to prosecution."