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Chapter 1: Fuel Dispensing Operations3 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 2: Basic Vehicle Maintenance Checks3 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 3: Forecourt Housekeeping3 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 4: Receiving Stock2 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 5: Recording Transactions and Processing Payments4 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 6: Interact with Customers4 Topics1 Quiz
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Chapter 7: Shift Procedures and Reporting4 Topics1 Quiz
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🎯 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this topic you will be able to:
- Identify what constitutes a reportable incident at a petrol station.
- Complete an incident report form accurately and within the required timeframe.
- Understand the legal obligation to report workplace incidents in South Africa.
- Preserve the scene and gather correct information after an incident.
What Is a Reportable Incident?
An incident is any unplanned event that resulted in — or could have resulted in — injury, property damage, or environmental harm. Even incidents where no one was hurt (near-misses) must be reported, as they reveal hazards that could cause a serious accident in future.
Types of Incidents at a Petrol Station
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Personal injury | Slip and fall, burn from hot engine, fuel splash into eyes, back injury from lifting |
| Customer / third-party injury | Customer slips on wet forecourt, misfuelling damage, vehicle collision on forecourt |
| Property damage | Pump hose pulled off by departing vehicle, vehicle collision with pump island |
| Environmental | Fuel spill reaching storm drain, underground tank leak |
| Security | Robbery, drive-off (customer leaving without paying), till theft |
| Near-miss | Vehicle narrowly missed an attendant; nozzle fire that was immediately extinguished |
Immediate Response to an Incident
🚨 First Priority Is Always Safety
- Ensure safety first — remove the injured person from danger; eliminate ongoing hazards (switch off pumps if needed).
- Call for help — call your supervisor immediately. For serious injuries, call 10177 (ambulance) or 10111 (SAPS).
- Administer first aid — only if you are trained to do so. Do not move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
- Preserve the scene — do not move, clean or alter the area until the supervisor or authorities have assessed it.
- Gather information — note the time, location, what happened, who was involved, and any witnesses.
- Complete the incident report — as soon as the emergency is under control, complete the written report.
Completing the Incident Report Form
An incident report must be completed on the same day as the incident — ideally within 2 hours while details are fresh. The form typically requires:
| Section | Information Needed |
|---|---|
| Date, time and location | Exact date, time and specific area (e.g. Pump 3 island) |
| Persons involved | Full names, contact numbers, ID numbers of injured parties / witnesses |
| Description of incident | What happened, in sequence — factual, not opinions or blame |
| Injury / damage | Describe nature of injury or damage; attach photos if taken |
| Immediate action taken | First aid, emergency services called, pump shut down, etc. |
| Witness statements | Names and brief statements from anyone who saw the incident |
| Attendant signature | Your signature confirms the report is accurate to the best of your knowledge |
Legal Obligations — OHS Act
South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act, 85 of 1993) requires employers and employees to report workplace incidents. Key obligations for employees:
- You must report any hazard, near-miss or incident to your supervisor as soon as possible.
- Serious injuries (those requiring medical treatment beyond first aid) must be reported by the employer to the Department of Labour within prescribed timeframes.
- Refusing to report an incident, or falsifying a report, is a disciplinary and potentially criminal offence.
- You are protected from victimisation for reporting an incident in good faith — you cannot be dismissed for making an honest report.
Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Near-miss | An incident that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so. |
| OHS Act | Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 — South African law governing workplace safety standards and obligations. |
| Incident report | A formal written record of any unplanned event at the workplace, completed as soon as possible after the event. |
✅ Quick Knowledge Check
- What is a near-miss and why is it important to report it?
- Name three pieces of information that must appear on an incident report form.
- Which South African law requires employees to report workplace incidents?
📚 Additional Resources
📖 Further Reading
🎬 Watch: Workplace Incident Reporting & OHS Consequences
This South African OHS training video illustrates the importance of reporting incidents correctly and the consequences of not following proper reporting procedures.
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