Injury, illness and dangerous events
Introduction
What to do after a hold-up
Handling injuries safely
Post-traumatic stress
Introduction
Employers and self-employed
Under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 you are required to inform Workplace Health and Safety Queensland if the following events happen at the workplace:
- serious bodily injury
- work caused illness
- dangerous event
You must complete an incident notification form (PDF, 58kB) and provide it to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Workers
You should advise your employer of:
- all workplace accidents even when you only receive minor injuries
- all workplace incidents (including near misses)
You can complete a hazard identification form (PDF, 90 KB) which will help your employer identify problems in your workplace.
What to do after a hold-up
Workplaces should have procedures to follow if a hold-up happens. The procedures may include:
- notifying the police
- request an ambulance if needed (refer to the Queensland Ambulance Service, how to request an ambulance information)
- giving first aid
- reassuring and comforting persons exposed to the armed hold-up
- leaving evidence undisturbed
- writing down a description of the offender(s) and anything they said (see the Queensland Police armed robbery report sample)
- allowing workers to contact their families
- giving professional counselling
- telling all workers about what has happened
- returning to normal business operations as soon as possible
Procedures for longer term issues after a hold-up may include:
- telling workers about worker's compensation and injury management services available
- giving workers follow-up counselling
- supporting workers in their return to work
- helping workers to get appropriate medical and psychological treatment
Handling injuries safely
Employers must:
- supply adequate first aid equipment and facilities
- reduce workers' exposure to blood and body substances
Further information is provided in First aid.
Post traumatic stress
Employers, managers, supervisors and work mates must have an awareness of the complexity of reactions to an armed hold-up. The short and long term psychological effects of being confronted with violence may be severe and in some cases debilitating.
Each person will react differently to a violent incident and may exhibit a range of symptoms, which can develop following a threat of physical violence and in some cases by working in an environment where there is a likelihood of violence.
It is important to act promptly following a hold-up to provide counselling from professionals who are experienced in post trauma debriefing and counselling.
Employers may consider the establishment of a formal peer support group within the organisation, as a method of assisting workers who are the victims of an armed robbery.
Counselling is available from organisations including:
- Lifeline (non Queensland Government link) - 13 11 14
- Victims of Crime Association Queensland - 1300 733 777
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