You should report any type of injury, no matter the severity. The most important reason is to make sure the situation or hazard is made safe for not only yourself, but the others at the worksite. It is extremely important that if any injury occurs on site, that it is reported immediately. Immediate reporting will ensure that the required parties are notified, full incident reports are documented, and follow up actions and corrective measures are implemented as soon as possible.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, under section 51(1), where a person is killed or critically injured from any cause at a workplace, the appropriate parties must communicate that injury within 48 hours of the incident. 

Pursuant to O. Reg. 420/21, “an injury is “critical” if it is an injury of a serious nature that:

• Places life in jeopardy
• Produces unconsciousness.
• Results in substantial loss of blood
• Involves the fracture of a leg or arm, but not a finger or toe.
• Involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand, or foot but not a finger or toe.
• Consists of burns to a major portion of the body
• Causes the loss of sight in an eye.”

It is important that workers know what to do in the event of an emergency, especially if a critical injury has occurred on a jobsite. 

Minor Injuries

If minor injuries occur on site that may require first aid, such as a cut on your finger, workers should seek assistance from a certified first aider on site to provide treatment. First aiders must document details of the injury as well as any treatment administered. All injuries, even if they seem to be minor at the time, can easily become much worse if not correctly treated. A previous minor injury can also contribute to another future injury, which can potentially be more serious and cause ongoing health issues. Always ensure that you report every workplace injury to your supervisor.

Occupational Illness

There are also occupational illnesses workers can experience in the event of a physical, chemical, or biological substance. When working with dangerous substances, it is important that workers have completed their Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training (commonly referred to as WHMIS). Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it is required by law that all workers obtain their WHMIS training annually, in tandem with other occupational health and safety courses they may require per job responsibilities, such as a valid Working at Heights certification. 

Need Assistance?

Safety First Consulting’s team of highly qualified and experienced consultants will provide your company the assistance it needs to comply with government health and safety regulations. To learn more about what we do, contact us today 905-669-5444 or email us at info@safetyfirstconsulting.ca for more information.