Notifiable Incident — What To Report
Notifiable Incident — What To Report
Something serious has happened on site. Does it have to be reported to the regulator — and how fast? The notifiable-incident rules under the model WHS laws.
What is notifiable
- A death
- A serious injury or illness needing immediate in-patient hospital treatment (amputation, serious burn, spinal injury, loss of a bodily function, serious laceration)
- A dangerous incident — even with no injury (collapse, uncontrolled spill or leak, electric shock, fall or release of plant)
What you must do
| Notify the regulator | Immediately, by the fastest means (phone) — your state WHS regulator |
| Preserve the site | Do not disturb the scene until told you can (except to help the injured or make it safe) |
| Written notice | Within 48 hours if the regulator asks |
| Keep records | At least 5 years |
Reference only — not legal advice. Notifiable-incident definitions and the regulator line vary by state/territory — confirm with yours. For a life-threatening emergency call 000 first.
Sources: model WHS Act (notifiable incidents) · Safe Work Australia · state WHS regulators
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