What to do if a worker is injured

Report the incident to SafeWork

Workplace fatalities and any incident considered 'serious' or 'dangerous' must be reported to SafeWork NSW immediately on 13 10 50.

An urgent investigation might be required and the incident site might need to be preserved until an inspector attends.

Significant penalties apply if you fail to report an incident.

Record the incident

Record it in your register of injuries, regardless of whether a claim has been or will be made.

A register of injuries is mandatory

A register of injuries is a mandatory record of all work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of whether a claim for workers compensation has been made.

The register may be kept in writing or be electronic (e.g. on a computer).

Each entry in your register of injuries must include:

• the name of the worker with an injury
• the worker's address
• the worker's age at the time of injury
• the worker's occupation at the time of injury
• the industry in which the worker was engaged at the time of injury
• the time and date of injury
• the nature of the injury
• the cause of the injury.

There are penalties for failing to keep a register of injuries.

There is a standard register template you can use.

Tell your insurer

You must tell your insurer within 48 hours of being made aware of the injury. This is called the 'initial notification'.

As the notifier, you must provide your business's name and contact details, as well as your own name, relationship to the worker or employer (e.g. your job title) and contact information.

The insurer will also want to know:

• the date and time of the injury/illness or the period over which the injury emerged
• a description of how the injury happened
• a description of the injury.

Your insurer may request more information if the above information is incomplete or further information is required.