Report an Incident

hse.info@ualberta.ca

Incident management is one element of the Health, Safety, and Environment Management System (HSEMS), which is a framework of policy, procedure, and program-level documents in support of safe working and learning activities at the University of Alberta. 

U of A senior administrators, supervisors, staff, and students have legislated and university-mandated roles and responsibilities related to incident management. Review the Incident Management Assignment of Accountability and Procedure to learn more.

Report an Incident

What is reportable?

Where university people or property are involved, you must report the following:

The Government of Alberta requires that all serious and potentially serious incidents be reported immediately to Alberta Labour and Immigration.

Serious incidents include the following:

  • Injury or incident that results in the death of a worker
  • Injury or incident that results in worker admitted to hospital (as an inpatient)
  • Unplanned or uncontrolled explosion, fire, or flood that causes (or had the potential to cause) a serious injury
  • Collapse or failure of any part of a building or structure that is necessary for its structural integrity
  • The collapse of a hoist, crane, or derrick

To report all other serious incidents:

  1. Call the Control Centre: 780-492-5555.
  2. Report your incident, provide your phone number, and request a call back from the HSE on-call person.
  3. Complete and submit an incident report. 

Report all injuries related to university activities, including research, work, and learning.

To report an injury:

  1. Complete and submit an incident report.
  2. Ensure that you have notified your supervisor and include their name and email in the form.
  3. You and your supervisor may need to file a Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) report as detailed below.

Report all exposure or possible exposure to hazardous chemicals, radioisotopes, and biological materials (including human blood or other body fluids). 

Examples of exposures to hazardous substances:

  • Needlestick injuries during work with animals or during clinical placements
  • Inhalation of hazardous vapours
  • Accidental ingestion of hazardous substances
  • Skin or mucous membrane contact with hazardous substances

To report exposure to a hazardous substance:

  1. Complete and submit an incident report.
  2. Ensure that you have notified your supervisor and include their name and email in the form.
  3. You and your supervisor may need to file a Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) report as detailed below.

Near miss incidents are defined as undesired, unplanned, or unexpected events occurring in the course of any aspect of work of the university that COULD result in an injury or illness or damage to property or the environment.

Report ALL near misses.

Note that injuries resulting in first aid, lost time from work, medical treatment, modification of work duties, fires, damage to equipment, materials or property, spills or environmental releases should NOT be reported as near-misses. They are to be categorized as their specific incident type in the ARISE Incident Reporting Portal.

An unsafe condition may include an uncontrolled hazard or a health and safety violation arising from conditions that contravene legislation or university policy guidance. Examples include unsecured gas cylinders, improper disposal of hazardous waste, or improper storage of chemicals, improper use of personal protective equipment, etc. 

  • If the condition was detected during an inspection or audit please use the inspection/audit process for reporting the deficiency.

To report a near-miss incident or health and safety violation:

  1. Complete and submit an incident report noting that you are reporting a Near Miss incident.
  2. Ensure that you have notified your supervisor and include their name and email in the form.
Near miss incidents and unsafe conditions should be managed like other hazards — reported, investigated and corrected.

Report all incidents involving property damage that results in a loss exceeding $500.

Examples of property damage that must be reported:

To report property damage:

  1. Complete and submit an incident report.
  2. Ensure that you have notified your supervisor and include their name and email in the form.
  3. You and your supervisor may need to file a Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) report as detailed below.

Report all uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials, including spills and emissions, that pose a risk to human health and to the environment.

To report a spill or other uncontrolled release of hazardous material:

  1. Complete and submit an incident report.
  2. Ensure that you have notified your supervisor and include their name and email in the form.
  3. You and your supervisor may need to file a Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) report as detailed below. Report also to Risk Management & Insurance.

To report a collision or other incident involving a U of A vehicle or vehicle used for university-related activities:

  1. Submit an HSE incident form.
  2. Submit a Protective Services incident form or call 780-492-5050.
  3. Submit an insurance claim form.
  4. Contact the local police authority to report the incident. Note that the driver must report when damage exceeds $2000 and/or was caused by a hit and run or other criminal act.

NOTE: All serious incidents and incidents involving property damage (including collisions), third-party injuries, as well as spills or other uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials must also be reported to Risk Management & Insurance. 

WCB Reporting

Staff and supervisors

  1. You may need to file a WCB report in the event of the following:
    • Lost time or the need to temporarily or permanently modify work beyond the date of the accident, death, or permanent disability (amputation, hearing loss, etc.)
    • A disabling or potentially disabling condition caused by occupational exposure or activity (such as a mental health concern, poisoning, infection, respiratory disease, dermatitis, etc.)
    • The need for medical or mental health treatment beyond first aid (as assessed by a physician, psychologist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, etc.)
  2. Follow the WCB process outlined here.
  3. Follow up with your supervisor to make sure all reporting is complete.

Students and supervisors

You must report all incidents/injuries. Follow the WCB process outlined here.

Protection of privacy and use of data

  • Information inputted will be automatically collected by Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).
  • Information will be used to monitor incident trends at the University of Alberta and for incident investigation.
  • The information that you include in the report may be shared with your supervisor and/or contacts within your department.

Please note: all saved reports (if not submitted by the user) will be autosubmitted after 48 hours. If you do not complete all fields in the form, HSE may contact you for additional information.

Protection of Privacy - The personal information requested on this document is collected under the authority of sections 33(a) and (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information collected will be protected, used, and disclosed in accordance with Part 2 of that Act. Direct any questions about this collection to:

Philip Stack
Director - Health, Safety and Environment
philip.stack@ualberta.ca
780.860.3157
210 Materials Management Building
Emergency in progress?

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THEN call University of Alberta Protective Services:
  • Edmonton Campus: 780-492-5050
  • Augustana: 780-608-2905
Why report an incident?

Incident reporting allows us to investigate incidents, observe trends, and find opportunities to implement safe work practices at the university.

Read about some of the lessons we've learned from past incidents.

Tips for incident reporting
Incident management resources
Audience

Employees, Students

Category

Safety & Security

Provider
VP Services & Finance
hse.info@ualberta.ca