If an employee has a minor cut at work that only requires a band-aid, should the incident be recorded? This is a common question for employers and managers, particularly when dealing with minor incidents such as cuts, scratches or minor sprains. The short answer: you should record all workplace injuries, even minor ones.

 

Recording vs reporting.understanding the difference

It’s important to distinguish between

  • Recording an injury (internal requirement), and

  • Reporting an incident to the regulator (legal notification requirement)

Not all incidents need to be reported to SafeWork NSW. Many more should be recorded internally.

 

What does the law require?

Under workers compensation legislation, employers in NSW must maintain a register of injuries that is readily accessible to workers. This register is intended to capture any workplace injury, regardless of whether it results in a compensation claim.

While the legislation does not prescribe a strict minimum level of severity, its broad scope means that, in practice, even minor injuries should be recorded.

 

What counts as a “minor injury”?

Examples of minor injuries include:

  • small cuts or abrasions

  • minor burns

  • bruises

  • sprains requiring only first aid

  • incidents treated with a band-aid or ice pack

Even if the injury does not require medical treatment, or does not result in time off work, it is still good practice to record the incident.

 

Why record minor injuries?

Recording minor injuries is not just about compliance, it is a key part of effective WHS management.Recording helps employers to identify recurring hazards or patterns, monitor workplace risks over time, take corrective action before a serious incident occurs and demonstrate due diligence if reviewed by a regulator.

Employers can draw up their own injury register. It must include: 

  • the name of the injured worker 

  • the worker's address 

  • the worker's age at the time of injury 

  • the worker's occupation at the time of injury 

  • the industry in which the worker was engaged at the time of injury 

  • the time and date of injury 

  • the nature of the injury, and 

  • the cause of the injury. 

 

When do you need to notify the regulator?

Most minor injuries do not need to be reported to SafeWork NSW. Notification is only required for “notifiable incidents”, which include:

  • a workplace death

  • a serious injury or illness (for example, injuries requiring immediate hospital treatment, serious burns, fractures or amputations)

  • dangerous incidents (such as explosions, fires or uncontrolled chemical leaks)

If an incident does not meet this threshold, it does not need to be reported but it should still be recorded.