The College of the Environment, as an employer, is committed to educating and emphasizing the importance of workplace safety to its faculty, staff, students, and volunteers. It is our objective to properly manage any incidents that occur so as to minimize injury and other forms of loss. On this page, you will find information outlining reporting procedures for accidents, incidents and near misses.  Each and every individual must become familiar with the process, follow and enforce the procedures, and become an active participant in workplace safety.  We look forward to your cooperation and participation.

Reporting an Accident, Incident, or Near Miss

University faculty, staff, and students should report all work-related injuries and illnesses or near miss incidents to their supervisor, as soon as possible, by submission on the university’s Online Accident Reporting System (OARS).  Any student, staff, or faculty member with a UW NetID can file an accident/incident report.  The Environmental Health & Safety website lists a PowerPoint presentation with OARS step-by-step instructions and a training site for new users.

Both the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and Federal Government Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) require employers to record work related injuries and illnesses. Both of these regulations and the HIPAA rules expressly permit disclosure of this protected information (45 CFR 164.512). UW employees having access to this report must treat it as private and should not disclose it to others unless authorized by statute. An employee may not be discriminated against for reporting a work-related fatality, injury or illness.

The report should be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) within 24 hours. In case of serious or fatal accident or hospitalization, notify EH&S immediately at 206.543.7262; after hours contact the UW Police Department (UWPD) Dispatch by dialing 206.685.UWPD (8773) in order for the EH&S Staff On Call to be notified. EH&S must report to Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries Division of Occupational Safety & Health immediately after an incident that causes a fatal or possibly fatal injury or that causes injury requiring in-patient hospitalization of any employee. Do not move any equipment involved in these types of serious accidents until Environmental Health and Safety has clearance from State investigators.

Additional Resources