Is your workplace equipped to handle a visit from WHS inspectors
following a workplace incident? Many employers are caught
unprepared, resulting in unnecessary business disruption with
further investigation activity, prosecution and in some cases,
significant penalties. Using the example of an incident in a
manufacturing plant, we look at ways to manage the situation, which
are relevant for all industry types, and provide key tips,
including where jurisdictional differences exist.
The scenario
An incident occurs at your plant, where a worker is seriously
injured because a guard was removed for maintenance work and not
replaced. After notifying the safety regulator of this incident, an
inspector attends the workplace to investigate. The inspector asks
to speak to the plant manager (you)—what do you do?
