The New M6 Form

Background

On 1 January 2012, changes to NSW Occupational Health and Safety laws came into effect. The NSW OH&S legislation was replaced by a "harmonised" WHS Act (2011). The changes to the way business and organisations deal with Work, Health and Safety were outlined in our January edition of Scouting in NSW. The major difference with the changes to the law was that members became "workers" in some circumstances. The effect on Scouting at Group level is minimal and Scouts NSW Groups were advised to continue to follow good work, health and safety practices regardless of whether the activity was considered to be work or recreational activity.

Meet the New M6

As a result of the changes to the law, Scouts NSW have amended the M6 form. The form previously identified as the INCIDENT REPORT has been renamed as the WORK, HEALTH & SAFETY INCIDENT/ACCIDENT/NEAR MISS REPORT FORM. This was necessary as the introduction of the new legislation require Scouts NSW to report specific occurrences involving members and supporters in the capacity of volunteer workers, as well as employed staff, to Workcover NSW. The new M6 is still in a development stage and may be amended in the coming months. Members are therefore requested to always use the form on the Scouts website to ensure currency, rather than print multiple forms for later use.

The details captured by the form, provide the minimum amount of information that Scouts NSW must report to Workcover NSW in the event of a notifiable incident occurring. The current version of the M6 carries an extract of the WHS Regulation to help members understand the types of incidents that must be reported urgently to Scouts NSW. These specific types of incidents have a requirement to be reported as soon as possible after the incident/accident to enable Workcover NSW to review the accident site. As an easy rule of thumb, if a person requires treatment by a doctor for the injury or is admitted to a hospital, the incident report needs to be submitted to Scouts NSW as soon as possible after the incident and preferably within 48 hours of the incident. The contact details of the person reporting the incident are very important as we may need to contact someone for further information or for an update on an injured person.

Child Protection Matters

If you feel that the incident being reported relates to Child Protection, please do not delay in phoning the State Office on 02-9735-9000 and ask to speak to the Child Protection Officer. Out of Hours Child Protection Matters can be reported direct to the Chief Executive on 0417 294 126.

Minor Incidents

Members should notify all accidents to the Group Leader, regardless of the apparent severity at the time. Sometimes a minor incident may become a major problem over time. Incidents, Accidents and Near Misses should be discussed at every Group Council, District Council and Region Council Meeting. At Group Level, this should include all the incidents from the previous month. It is important that everyone in the Group is aware to look out for frequently reoccurring minor injuries, as steps should be taken as soon as possible to remove the cause of the injuries. Bandaid injuries, such as minor bumps and scrapes, need not be reported to Scouts NSW State Office, unless they are the result of a near miss incident that may have had more serious consequences. Please check with your Region Office to determine the Region decision on reporting Bandaid incidents to the Region Office .

Submitting the Form from the website

The new M6 form is a first for Scouts NSW. It is the first Scout form to have a "SUBMIT" function attached to the form. This permits the person completing the form to submit it direct to Scouts NSW WHS as an email attachment. The M6 attachment also can be copied to other email addresses such as the Region Office and the Group Leader at the time of submission. Members can also attach a copy of the injured person's A1 if the accident occurs away on an offsite activity. A copy of the A1 will be required if the injury is serious or the injured party wants to make a Personal Accident Insurance Claim.

Submit via Smart Phone

Subject to internet connectivity to the Scouts NSW website, an email program, and the Adobe Reader APP, the new M6 is compatible with Smart phones using Android, Windows or Apple operating platforms. Members using a Smart phone can send the M6 direct from the site of the incident/accident if they have Mobile coverage at the time.

Reporting Notifiable Incidents

Workcover NSW and Safe Work Australia have confirmed some of the activities where Members may be considered as workers.

Report any incident, particularly a notifiable* incident, to WHS at State Office if the accident or incident occurs at:

· A Working Bee

· A Fundraising Activity

· A Gang Show Activity

· A Training Course or Activity run by the State Training Team

· A Scouts NSW workplace where employed staff are working at the time of the member's or staff member's incident/accident or near miss

* Refer to the M6 form for the definitions of notifiable incident