Response

Response means actions taken in anticipation of, during, and immediately after an incident to make sure its effects are minimised, and that people affected are supported. (Adapted from National Strategy for Disaster Resilience: Building our nation’s resilience to disasters)

To respond to something is to react to a stimulus. In terms of work health and safety this means responding to incidents, hazards, claims and the needs of workers. You will also have emergency response plans for workplace evacuations and medical response.

Response includes immediate support after an incident, through to conducting an investigation into the root causes of incidents and implementing changes to prevent recurrence.

The following topics are included:

• incident notification to Comcare (your legislative obligation)
• site preservation of a notifiable incident
• Comcare investigations.