The proposed Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Amendment Bill introduces new reporting requirements for both employers and self-employed individuals. Section 24 of the Bill mandates that all employers, including self-employed persons, must supply the Department of Employment and Labour with a copy of their incident statistics on an annual basis. This report must be submitted by the 1st day of March each year and must include incident statistics not only for the employer’s own employees but also for contractors working on the employer’s premises.
Key Requirements under Section 24
- Annual Submission of Incident Statistics:
- Employers and self-employed persons are required to compile and submit their incident statistics to the Department by March 1st each year. This submission is mandatory and must be accurate and comprehensive.
- Inclusion of Contractor Incident Statistics:
- The incident statistics must include data on any incidents involving contractors who have worked on the employer’s premises. This ensures that all safety incidents, regardless of who is involved, are captured and reported.
What Must Be Included in the Incident Statistics?
The incident statistics must provide detailed information on all workplace incidents, including but not limited to:
- Injuries: Any injury sustained by employees or contractors, regardless of severity.
- Occupational Diseases: Cases where workers are diagnosed with occupational diseases due to exposure at the workplace.
- Near Misses: Incidents that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so.
- Fatalities: Any deaths that occur as a result of work-related activities, including those involving contractors.
Why This Reporting Requirement Matters
The introduction of this reporting requirement serves several important purposes:
- Improving Workplace Safety: By requiring comprehensive incident reporting, the Department can better monitor workplace safety trends and identify areas where additional regulation or enforcement may be necessary.
- Accountability: Including contractor statistics ensures that employers are accountable for the safety of everyone working on their premises, not just their direct employees.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The data collected from these reports can be used to inform policy decisions, helping to create safer work environments across all industries.
Steps for Compliance
To ensure compliance with Section 24, employers should take the following steps:
- Maintain Accurate Records: Keep detailed records of all incidents, including those involving contractors. Ensure that all incidents are reported promptly and recorded accurately.
- Collaborate with Contractors: Work closely with contractors to ensure that they report all incidents immediately. Include clauses in contracts that require contractors to cooperate with incident reporting requirements.
- Prepare for Annual Submission: Set up a system to compile and review incident statistics well in advance of the March 1st deadline. Consider using software tools to manage and analyze incident data effectively.
Conclusion
The proposed OHS Amendment Bill’s Section 24 places significant emphasis on transparency and accountability through the annual submission of incident statistics. By including data on contractors, the Bill ensures that all workplace incidents are captured, promoting a holistic approach to occupational health and safety. Employers and self-employed persons must prepare now to meet these reporting requirements, ensuring that their submissions are complete, accurate, and timely.
