A-2.4 Describe the WCA Requirements for Reporting Workplace Accidents
Whenever an injury occurs, both the worker and employer have an obligation to report the incident and injury. The worker is obliged to let the employer know, and the employer must report to WorkSafeBC. If either one fails to provide the required information, a compensation claim will be affected.
Worker Report
The worker must inform the employer of the incident as soon as reasonably possible after it occurs. The report must include the name of the worker, the time and place the injury occurred, and the nature of the injury. Informing the supervisor, first aid attendant, or superintendent will comply with the requirement to report to the employer. If requested by the employer, the worker must also provide the details of the injury by filling out a WorkSafeBC form. This information will also assist the employer in filling out the Form 7 injury and incident report.
Look at an example of Form 6A on the WorkSafeBC website: Worker’s report of injury or occupational disease to employer: WorkSafeBC – Form 6A
When applying for compensation and reporting a work-related injury or occupational disease, the worker can go to the WorkSafeBC website to find a number of reporting options under the Claims tab:
A worker will need details of the incident that caused the injury, the earnings information for any missed work, and health-care provider information for any medical treatment.
Option 1: Call Teleclaim
If a worker has missed work because of an injury, the first step is to start a claim by calling Teleclaim at 1-888-WORKERS (1-888-967-5377), Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.
The claims representative will provide the worker with a user ID and password to check claim details.
Option 2: Submit the Form Online
If a worker has missed work because of an injury and has a user ID and password, he or she can submit a Form 6 online. The advantage of having this type of online account is that the worker can log on later to see more details about the claim, including correspondence, claim decisions, and payment information.
Option 3: Report Injuries Not Resulting in Loss of Time from Work
If a worker has not missed work because of an injury, all that is required is to report the details about the incident to the employer as soon as possible.
You can see an example of an application for compensation at WorkSafeBC Application for Compensation and Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 6).
Employer Report
An employer must report to WorkSafeBC within three days of every injury or disabling occupational disease occurring to a worker that is—or is claimed to be—one arising out of and in the course of employment.
An employer must immediately report to WorkSafeBC the death of a worker whether the cause of death is claimed to have arisen from the work or outside the workplace.
The employer’s report must be on the proper form supplied by WorkSafeBC. Failure to report an injury is an offence and could result in penalties.
You can see a sample of the employer’s report of injury or occupational disease, Form 7, on the WorkSafeBC website: Employer’s Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 7)
For employers, the quickest and easiest way to report a worker’s injury or illness is online. The employer’s incident and injury report is located here: How employers report a workplace injury or disease
Self-Test A-2.4: Describe the WCA Requirements for Reporting Workplace Accidents
Complete Self-Test A-2.4 and check your answers.
If you are using a printed copy, please find Self-Test A-2.4 and Answer Key at the end of this section. If you prefer, you can scan the QR code with your digital device to go directly to the interactive Self-Test.
References
BC Industry Training Authority. (2019). Piping trades apprenticeship program: Perform safety related functions—Level 1 harmonized [Binder]. Crown Publications, Queen’s Printer for British Columbia. https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Details/7960000260_S
Camosun College. (2015). Line A: Safe Work Practices — Competency A-2: Describe WorkSafeBC regulations (BCcampus). https://collection.bccampus.ca/textbook/4x48JUbq/
Camosun College. (2015). Trades Access Common Core Competency A-2: Describe WorkSafeBC regulations. Victoria, B.C.: Crown Publications. Download for free from the B.C. Open Textbook Collection (https://open.bccampus.ca/browse-ourcollection/find-open-textbooks/).
WorkSafeBC. (n.d.). Claims. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/claims
WorkSafeBC. (n.d.). Employer’s Report of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form 7). https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/claims/forms/employers-report-of-injury-or-occupational-disease-form-7
WorkSafeBC. (n.d.). How employers report workplace injury or illness. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/claims/report-workplace-injury-illness/how-employers-report-workplace-injury-illness
WorkSafeBC. (n.d.). Workers’ Report of Injury or Occupational Disease to Employer (Form 6A). https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/claims/forms/workers-report-of-injury-or-occupational-disease-to-employer-form-6a
Something a person is required to do by law or rules, such as reporting a workplace injury.
An event at work that causes, or could cause, an injury or illness, such as a fall, cut, or equipment malfunction. Section A-2.4)
An official request made to WorkSafeBC for compensation after a worker is injured or becomes ill because of work. (Section A-2.4)
An illness caused by a worker’s job or work environment, such as lung disease from dust or hearing loss from loud noise. (Section A-2.4)
A phone-based reporting service offered by WorkSafeBC that lets workers or employers report a workplace injury or occupational disease by telephone rather than submitting a form online or on paper.
