Reporting Hazards, Near Misses, Accidents and Injuries

An employee should first speak with their supervisor about health and safety questions or concerns.  The employee can also speak with their health and safety representative, or contact the office of Occupational Health and Safety.

1. Who do I contact to report a health and safety hazard?

   Employees are required to report workplace hazards to their immediate supervisor.  The supervisor must take corrective measures to ensure the problem is corrected.  Inform supervisor of all hazards, even if you are reporting hazards directly to Facility Services or Campus Safety (i.e. via email).  You can also report hazards with this FORM.

2. Who do I contact to report an injury?

   Employees are required to report all injuries to their immediate supervisor.  The supervisor must investigate the incident, then complete and submit this FORM.

3. Who is my health and safety representative?

   The health and safety representatives are listed on several Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and department bulletin boards in the workplace and on the Occupational Health and Safety Website  Your association or union can also provide the name of your health and safety representative, or contact the office of Occupational Health and Safety at ext. 3061.

Joint Health and Safety Committee Members

Every accident, whether or not it results in injury or is a “near-miss” occurrence, must be reported to your Supervisor or Department Head immediately. The Supervisor or Department Head must then immediately advise the Health and Safety Manager of the accident, to provide, when applicable, details for completion of a Form 7 to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. In those circumstances where the employee has no immediate Supervisor, or the Supervisor is absent, then the employee must initiate this contact with the Health and Safety Manager. 

The Supervisor, with the cooperation of the employee, will also be required to complete a Incident/Hazard Report Form. These forms are examined by the Joint Health and Safety Committee and, if appropriate, corrective action may be recommended to make the workplace or job safer, and the employee more safety conscious. All names are kept strictly confidential within the Committee. Remember, every accident or “near-miss” must be reported.

See Medical Emergency Guidelines

Please read the Critical Injury Protocol for more details.

Section 121 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act requires that “the employer shall notify the Board within three days after learning of an accident to a worker employed by her or him or if the accident necessitates health care or results in the worker not being able to earn full wages.”

The University, through the Health and Safety Manager has an obligation to report every injury involving medical aid or absence from work (lost time injury) to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within a specified period of time. Consequently, it is imperative that the accident reporting procedure, as outlined in Section 1, be complied with as quickly as possible. The Health and Safety Manager can be reached by calling extension 3061 or by email at gbenoit@laurentian.ca.

Laurentian University has a detailed  Return to Work Program in accordance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

Failure to follow the above-noted procedures may jeopardise the earnings and/or affect any subsequent claim of the employee for Workplace Safety and Insurance benefits. If you have any questions regarding any of the foregoing items, please contact the Health and Safety Manager, or your representative on the Joint Health and Safety Committee.