With the recent legislative changes, which came into effect on December 1, 2021, there have been noteworthy changes made to PSI reporting.
Just when you finally understand legislation, am I right?
Remembering what’s old and what’s new can be challenging, so I have broken it down in an easy-to-understand format.
That being said, the new OHS Act has been condensed and I’m sure the majority of us can agree it is much easier to understand.
Definition:
In section 33(5) of the OHS Act, there are two criteria that determine a reportable potentially serious incident. They are:
- The incident had a likelihood of causing a serious injury or illness
- There is reasonable cause to believe that corrective action may need to be taken to prevent a recurrence
It is important to note that if there is a prime contractor, they must conduct the investigation. If there isn’t, it is the employer’s responsibility.
New Changes:
- Immediate reporting is no longer required
- Reports must be submitted after the investigation is complete
Remains the Same:
- Using the OHS online reporting tool
- Near misses can still be a PSI if they follow what a PSI by definition is
Once the report is finalized it must also be given to the JHSC/HSR, or available to the workers if there is no JHSC/HSR.
Having a well-designed health and safety program can prevent potentially serious incidents from occurring. If you’re looking for help developing a health and safety manual, DF Safety can help you!