Incident reporting in BC isn't in the OHS Regulation. It is in the Workers Compensation Act, Part 2, Division 10 (ss.68–73). The deadlines are short, and the first one is "immediately". Here is the sequence in the order you'll need it.
Step 1: Immediate notice to WorkSafeBC (s.68)
An employer must immediately notify WorkSafeBC of any accident that:
- resulted in serious injury to or the death of a worker,
- involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation,
- involved the major release of a hazardous substance,
- involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker, or
- was an incident required by regulation to be reported.
Section 68(2) also says that, unless an officer of the Board or a peace officer directs otherwise, nobody may disturb the scene of a reportable accident except as necessary to attend to injured or killed persons, prevent further injury or death, or protect endangered property.
Step 2: Which incidents must be investigated (s.69)
An employer must carry out a preliminary and a full investigation of any incident that is reportable under s.68, that resulted in injury requiring medical treatment, that involved no injury or only minor injury but had the potential to cause serious injury (a near miss with serious potential), or that was required by regulation to be investigated. Vehicle accidents on a public street or highway are excluded (s.69(2)).
Step 3: Who investigates (s.70)
The investigation must be carried out by persons knowledgeable about the type of work involved, with the participation of the employer or a representative and a worker representative if they are reasonably available. The employer must make every reasonable effort to have witnesses available for interview and must record their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
Step 4: Preliminary investigation, within 48 hours (s.71)
Immediately after the incident, the employer must start a preliminary investigation to identify unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed and the corrective action needed. The report must be completed within 48 hours of the incident, provided to WorkSafeBC on request, and provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative as soon as practicable, or posted at the workplace if there isn't one. Corrective action must follow without undue delay, with a report on the action taken.
Step 5: Full investigation, within 30 days (s.72)
Immediately after the preliminary investigation, the employer undertakes a full investigation to determine the cause or causes, identify unsafe conditions, acts or procedures, and determine corrective action. The full report must be submitted to WorkSafeBC within 30 days of the incident and, within that same 30 days, provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative (or posted). The Board may extend the period (s.72(3)).
You can't discourage a report. Section 73 prohibits an employer or supervisor from discouraging, impeding or dissuading a worker from reporting an injury, illness, death or hazardous condition to the Board, or from applying for or receiving compensation.
Why a written template helps
Within the first hour you will be calling WorkSafeBC, securing the scene and looking after people. The 48-hour report is easier to complete accurately if the structure (what happened, witnesses, unsafe conditions, immediate corrective action) is already on a form. The BC Safety Docs incident investigation report starts with the "call WorkSafeBC first" triggers from s.68, then walks through the preliminary and full investigation.