Safety Reporting and Investigation Procedure

Purpose. This procedure explains how hazards and occurrences are reported, classified, investigated and closed, and how findings are used to improve the safety management system.

1.What must be reported

Every accident, serious incident, incident, hazard, security occurrence, dangerous goods occurrence, fatigue report and ground damage event must be reported through the Safety Reporting System. If in doubt, report. Reports can be made by name or confidentially; confidential reports are seen only by the safety and compliance manager.

2.Timeframes

Occurrences must be reported before the end of the duty period in which they happened. Accidents and serious incidents must also be reported by phone to the safety and compliance manager or the duty manager immediately. The safety and compliance manager will notify the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of reportable matters within the required time.

3.Classification

The safety and compliance manager classifies each report within two business days using the SkyBridge risk matrix and the occurrence categories. The classification decides who investigates: the department for low risk, a trained investigator for medium risk, and an investigation team appointed by the accountable manager for high risk.

4.Investigation

Investigations establish what happened, why it happened and what will prevent it from happening again. The investigator gathers records, interviews those involved in line with the just culture policy, analyses contributing factors across people, equipment, environment and procedures, and writes findings and recommendations. Investigations are completed within 30 days unless the safety and compliance manager extends the period.

• Secure records and evidence
• Interview witnesses in a supportive way
• Identify immediate and contributing factors
• Recommend controls using the hierarchy of control
• Write a plain-language report

5.Corrective actions and closure

Recommendations become corrective actions with an owner and a due date in the Safety Reporting System. An occurrence is closed only when actions are complete and verified. Overdue actions are reported to the safety action group monthly.

6.Feedback and learning

The person who reported will be told the outcome. Lessons from occurrences are shared through the monthly safety bulletin and toolbox briefings without identifying individuals.