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An Incident and Non-Conformance Management Policy helps organizations systematically handle workplace accidents, safety issues, and quality deviations. In Austria, this policy aligns with the ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz (Worker Protection Act) and ISO standards, creating a structured approach to document, investigate, and prevent problems.

The policy guides teams through specific steps when something goes wrong - from immediate incident reporting to root cause analysis and corrective actions. It establishes clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring companies meet their legal duty of care while maintaining quality standards. Austrian businesses use these policies to track patterns, demonstrate regulatory compliance, and build safer workplaces.

Your organization needs an Incident and Non-Conformance Management Policy when starting operations in Austria, expanding into regulated industries, or facing increased safety oversight. This policy becomes essential after workplace incidents, near-misses, or quality issues that reveal gaps in your current procedures.

Put this policy in place before regulatory inspections from Austrian authorities, during ISO certification processes, or when scaling operations across multiple sites. It's particularly vital for manufacturing, healthcare, and construction sectors where incidents can have serious consequences. The policy helps protect workers, maintain quality standards, and demonstrate proper governance to authorities and stakeholders.

• Basic Safety Incident Policy: Focuses on workplace accidents and near-misses, typically used by small businesses to meet minimum Austrian labor law requirements
• Comprehensive Quality Management Version: Combines incident reporting with detailed quality control procedures, common in manufacturing and ISO-certified companies
• Healthcare-Specific Format: Includes patient safety events and medical error reporting, aligned with Austrian healthcare regulations
• Environmental Incident Policy: Emphasizes environmental accidents and non-conformances, crucial for companies handling hazardous materials
• Multi-Site Enterprise Policy: Designed for large organizations with standardized reporting across multiple Austrian locations

• Quality Managers: Lead the development and maintenance of the policy, coordinate investigations, and ensure compliance with ISO standards
• Health & Safety Officers: Implement incident reporting procedures and oversee workplace safety investigations under ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz
• Department Heads: Review incidents within their areas, approve corrective actions, and ensure staff compliance with reporting requirements
• Employees: Report incidents and non-conformances, participate in investigations, and follow prescribed corrective actions
• External Auditors: Evaluate policy effectiveness during certification audits and regulatory inspections

• Industry Requirements: Review Austrian workplace safety regulations and relevant ISO standards for your sector
• Current Processes: Document existing incident reporting procedures and identify gaps in current practices
• Risk Assessment: Map potential incidents and non-conformances specific to your operations
• Stakeholder Input: Gather feedback from department heads and safety representatives about reporting needs
• Documentation Tools: Set up standardized forms and digital systems for incident tracking
• Training Plan: Develop staff training materials to support policy implementation

• Purpose Statement: Clear objectives aligned with ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz and company safety goals
• Scope Definition: Specific incidents and non-conformances covered under Austrian regulations
• Reporting Procedures: Step-by-step process for incident documentation and notification chains
• Investigation Protocol: Methods for root cause analysis and evidence collection
• Corrective Actions: Framework for implementing and monitoring improvement measures
• Data Protection: GDPR-compliant handling of incident-related personal information
• Review Process: Regular policy evaluation and update requirements

While both documents work together in safety management, an Incident and Non-Conformance Management Policy differs significantly from a Health and Safety Policy. Let's explore their key distinctions:

• Primary Focus: The Incident Policy specifically handles response procedures after problems occur, while the Health and Safety Policy sets broader preventive measures and safety standards
• Timing of Application: Incident policies activate during or after specific events, whereas Health and Safety policies guide ongoing daily operations
• Legal Requirements: Under Austrian law, incident policies must detail investigation procedures and corrective actions, while Health and Safety policies outline general workplace safety standards
• Documentation Scope: Incident policies include specific reporting forms and investigation protocols, while Health and Safety policies contain broader risk assessments and preventive measures