After a Workplace Hazard

Something happened at work that wasn’t safe. It might have been a near miss, an injury, a fall, a machine or vehicle incident, a chemical spill, an aggressive customer, a threat, or a psychosocial hazard — like bullying, harassment, violence, or a workload or situation that is wearing people down.

This is ten minutes for you, once the immediate danger has passed. You don’t need to retell what happened, here or anywhere else, to benefit from it. We’ll check you’re okay, cover the practical steps, and help your body settle.

If you can, sit somewhere you feel reasonably safe. Put your feet flat on the floor and notice the chair holding you. Breathe out slowly, twice.

After a scare, adrenaline can hide pain for hours. Some injuries — especially to the head, neck or back, or from chemicals or electricity — may not show straight away.

• If you were hurt, even slightly, get it checked by first aid, your GP or a hospital, and tell them it happened at work.
• Watch for headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, chest pain or worsening pain — seek medical help urgently if they appear.
• Have some water and something to eat. Avoid driving if you feel shaky or foggy; ask someone to take you home.

Reporting isn’t about blame. It’s how hazards get fixed before someone else is hurt. In Australia, employers (called a “PCBU” in work health and safety law) have the main duty to eliminate or minimise risks, including psychosocial risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. Workers have a duty to take reasonable care and to report hazards and incidents.

When you report, stick to what you saw, heard and did:

• when and where it happened, and who was involved or nearby
• what happened, in plain words — facts first, not guesses about why
• any injury, first aid or medical care
• what you think could stop it happening again (if you have an idea)

Use your workplace incident reporting system, and tell your supervisor, manager or Health and Safety Representative. You only need to share what’s needed for the report — not every feeling or detail.

Serious incidents (such as a death, serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident) must be notified by the employer to the WHS regulator in your state or territory — for example SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria or Safe Work Australia’s list of regulators. If you’re worried a hazard isn’t being dealt with, you can contact the regulator yourself.

If it is safe and appropriate, and doesn’t interfere with first aid or emergency services:

• Don’t disturb the scene of a serious incident until an inspector or your workplace says it can be cleared (other than to help someone or make it safe).
• Write down your own notes soon, while memory is fresh — date, time, place, facts. Keep a copy for yourself.
• Keep photos, messages, emails, rosters or anything relevant somewhere safe.
• Note the names of witnesses.

If you were injured or became unwell, keep medical certificates and receipts. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation — tell your employer, and contact your state’s workers’ compensation authority, your union or a lawyer for general guidance.

Fixing the hazard isn’t your job alone. Making the workplace safe — guards, procedures, training, staffing, changes to how work is done — is the employer’s responsibility.

After something unsafe, your body may stay on high alert — racing heart, shaking, tight chest, jumpy, teary or flat. These are common, normal stress reactions and usually ease over days and weeks.

Try this simple 5-4-3-2-1 exercise. Notice:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can feel — your feet, the chair, your clothes
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 slow breath, out longer than in

Remind yourself: “That was then. Right now, I am here, and I am safe enough.” If you’re not safe right now, put this down and reach out for help.

Look after the basics: sleep, food, water, movement, and people you trust. Keep caffeine and alcohol modest. It can help to stay connected with colleagues who were there, without having to go over the details.

Talking about what happened can help some people and not others. You choose if, when and with whom. A one-off debrief, including this one, can help you settle — but it doesn’t prevent longer-term stress reactions such as PTSD, and nobody should be pressured to tell the story before they’re ready.

Talk with your GP, your Employee Assistance Program or a psychologist if, after a few weeks, you’re still having:

• vivid memories, nightmares or flashbacks
• trouble sleeping, concentrating or feeling safe
• avoiding the place, people or tasks linked to what happened
• feeling numb, on edge, low, or relying more on alcohol or other substances

Phoenix Australia has good general information about recovery after traumatic events.

There’s no need to write about what happened. Instead, you might note: “What helped me today was…”, “One thing I need now is…”, or “One person I can check in with is…”

If it helps, jot a few words below. This box is only on your screen — nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere, and it disappears when you leave the page.

You’ve looked after yourself and others by pausing here. Before you go, take one more slow breath. You did what you could, with what you knew, in that moment.

An independent educational resource by Sharon Mackenzie, Spirit Led Institute. It is general information only — not counselling, clinical treatment, emergency or crisis support, legal advice, a formal workplace risk assessment or a WHS compliance service. Non-accredited.