Before reporting HSE deviations
What are HSE deviations
HSE deviations are incidents where:
- Requirements set by the HSE regulations or internal standards have not been followed
- Work-related incidents that have led to or could have led to harm, reduced health, or damage to people, the environment, or equipment (accident/near miss)
What should a report on HSE deviations include
At a minimum, a report on an HSE deviation must contain the following:
- A title that briefly describes the incident.
- A description that provides a more detailed account of what happened.
- The unit responsible for handling the deviation. Typically, this is the unit to which you belong.
It is helpful if the following fields are also filled in, though they are not mandatory:
- You can attach files as attachments, such as a picture illustrating what happened.
- Information about what might have caused the HSE deviation.
- The consequences of the HSE deviation.
- Whether any actions have already been taken.
- Your suggestions for actions that should be carried out.
What should not be included in a HSE deviation report
The amount of personal information should be kept low, and reports should be anonymized.
- When reporting personal injuries, do not include who has been injured or detailed information about diagnoses or treatments. It is sufficient to describe that a person has been injured, the severity of the injury, and how the injury occurred. The case handler and manager will contact the reporter to obtain necessary information for following up with the injured person.
If a case contains personal information, the case handler will anonymize the report.
Reporting HSE deviations on behalf of others
It is possible to report HSE deviations on behalf of others. This can be relevant in situations such as:
- A student has been injured in a lab, clinic, or during fieldwork (situations where the student is subject to the Working Environment Act)
- The work distribution in a team is organized so that one person reports HSE deviations on behalf of the team.
- If an employee feels uncomfortable reporting themselves, a safety representative or an HSE coordinator can report "On behalf of a colleague," effectively anonymizing the report.