Safety Policies

SY04 Employee Accidents - Reporting and Investigation

Policy Status: 

Active

Subject Matter Expert: 

Mark Linsenbigler, 863-3867, msl200@psu.edu

Policy Steward: 

Director of Environmental Health and Safety

Contents:

PURPOSE:

This policy provides procedures for reporting and investigating accidents resulting in work-related injuries or illnesses, including the development of corrective measures to prevent recurrences.

INSURANCE COVERAGE:

The University covers its employees with Worker's Compensation Insurance as a protection for injuries or illness compensable under the Pennsylvania Worker's Compensation Act.

REPORTING THE ACCIDENT:

The following steps must be taken when a work-related injury or illness occurs:

  1. An accident report must be filed each time any employee incurs an injury or illness no matter how minor. Complete a "First Report of Injury or Illness form.
  2. The accident must be reported whether the employee is full-time, part-time, wage payroll, or a student employee.

  3. The report must be submitted to the Office of Absence Management in Human Resources within forty-eight hours of the accident.  The initiator of the report is responsible for ensuring that a copy is provided to the Safety Officer assigned to their unit or campus.

ACCIDENT REPORT FORMS:

All injuries are reported on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry form referred to as the “First Report of Injury or Illness, a web-based electronic document accessed through the Penn State Workers’ Compensation website.

 

NOTE: This procedure should not be confused with emergency requests for aid and/or assistance to persons other than employees.

UNIVERSITY'S GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE:

If the injury or illness is covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance, benefits are not provided by the University's group health insurance. If the claim for Worker's Compensation is denied, the affected employee should then submit a claim under the University's group health insurance if he/she has incurred covered medical expenses.

ABSENCE FOR INJURY FOR CLASSIFICATIONS OTHER THAN ACADEMIC:

For the determination of pay arrangements for time absent from work as a result of an injury or illness compensable under the Worker's Compensation Act, the Occupational Disease Act, or similar legislation, see HR34, Employment Conditions for Staff Employees, or the applicable labor agreement for employees represented by a union.

INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT:

All accidents resulting in injury or illness, regardless of severity, are to be investigated. Personnel conducting the investigation include the Safety Officer and the supervisor of the affected employee.

The Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the following:

  1. Every accident occurring within his/her jurisdiction is investigated.
  2. Adequate information is obtained to determine the cause.
  3. Corrective measures are taken to prevent a recurrence.

The supervisor of the affected employee is responsible for:

  1. The immediate reporting and completion of the “First Report of Injury or Illness” form.
  2. The implementation of control measures  to prevent similar accidents.

Environmental Health and Safety staff may also conduct investigations and are available for consultation upon request.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For questions, additional details, or to request changes to this policy, please contact the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.

Most Recent Changes:

  • November 4, 2021 – Revised accident reporting steps, replaced all references to “Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Disease” with “First Report of Injury or Illness”, updated link to form in “Accident Report Forms” section.

Revision History (and effective dates):

  • December 6, 2012 - In the ACCIDENT REPORT FORMS section, revised the link to The Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Disease Form.
  • February 5, 2008 - Editorial change, address change for Office of Human Resources/Workers' Compensation.
  • May 6, 2005 - Editorial changes to eliminate "General Forms Usage Guide" and correct links.
  • August 21, 2002 - Responsibility for processing accident reports changed from Risk Management to the Office of Human Resources/Workers' Compensation.
  • August 2, 2001 -
    • Risk Management Office location updated.
    • "Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Disease" form should be submitted to the Risk Management Office as soon as possible.
    • Changed section ABSENCE FOR INJURY FOR CLASSIFICATIONS OTHER THAN ACADEMIC."
    • Removed section COMPENSATION CHECKS RECEIVED WHILE ON FULL SALARY.
  • August 1, 1990 - Revised process under INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENT section, and deleted the section DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT.
  • April 17, 1985 - Under ABSENCE FOR INJURY FOR CLASSIFICATIONS OTHER THAN ACADEMIC section, changed title of booklets.
  • September 13, 1984 -
    • "Insurance Office" changed to "Risk Management Office."
    • Deleted the sections TWO-PARTY AND THIRD-PARTY ACCIDENTS DESCRIBED and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED WHEN ACCIDENT INVOLVES A THIRD PARTY.
    • Changed section ABSENCE FOR INJURY FOR A CLERICAL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE EMPLOYEE to ABSENCE FOR INJURY FOR CLASSIFICATIONS OTHER THAN ACADEMIC.
    • Other departmental name changes.
  • March 22, 1978 - New policy.

Date Approved: 

November 4, 2021

Date Published: 

November 4, 2021

Effective Date: 

November 4, 2021