Injury, Incident Reporting and Investigation

Injury/incident investigations are conducted to identify the cause(s) that led, or could have led, to personal injury, occupational illness or property damage. Although investigating injuries is usually reactive since someone has already been injured, they are nonetheless valuable in helping to prevent a recurrence. Furthermore, legislation requires Nipissing University to report and investigate certain types of injuries and illnesses.

All injuries and incidents, including damage to property, regardless of severity, are to be reported by completing an “Injury/Incident Report and Investigation Form”. 

Responsibilities

Supervisors/Deans

Supervisors/Deans are responsible for:

• Ensuring that the injured person receives first aid immediately, if required.
• Arranging to have the individual transported to the hospital to receive medical attention, if required.
• Securing the area to ensure that evidence is not disturbed if the victim suffered a critical injury or fatality.
• Contacting the Manager, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) immediately in the event of a critical injury or fatality.
• Obtaining the name of any witnesses.
• When requested, assisting the injured person complete SECTION A of the “Injury/Incident Report and Investigation Form”.
• Completing and signing SECTION B of the “Injury/Incident Report and Investigation Form” as soon as they become aware of an occurrence.
• Submitting the form (both SECTION A and SECTION B) to the Human Resources department within 24 hours of the occurrence*.
• Following-up to ensure recommendations made during the investigation are implemented and adequate.

* The form may not be delayed for lack of information or signature(s).

The “Injury/Incident Report and Investigation Form” must be completed and submitted to the Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources within 24 hours of first being notified of an injury. The WSIB levies a $250 fee for late reporting of a lost time injury or health care claim. Where this late reporting is a result of the failure of a department to report the injury within the required timeline, the fine may be charged to that department.

It is strongly recommended that Supervisors/Deans name an alternate to complete this task in case of their unavailability.

Employees/Students/Visitors

Employees/students/visitors are responsible for:

• Reporting an injury/incident to their Supervisor, Dean or host immediately, or as soon as possible.

• Obtaining first-aid or health care (medical aid) in cases of injury and reporting such treatment to their Supervisor, Dean or host.

• Co-operating with the completion of the “Injury/Incident Report and Investigation Form” SECTION A, if available.
• Co-operating during the investigation, if assistance is requested.