In further commitment to workplace safety, WorkSafe Victoria has updated some of the incident notification requirements. This relates particularly to incidents involving plant and equipment. The changes in the requirements will provide quick action with regard to incidents at the workplace for the improvement of response mechanisms and assurance of safer working environments. Any business, irrespective of type, should be aware of such updates to keep compliance and ensure team safety.
Why the Change?
The recent amendments represent a step to proactively address identified risks and plant equipment incident hazards. Machinery and equipment pose serious safety hazards where malfunction and poor handling can also sometimes result in the operator and/or those around them being harmed. Additions to this new rule reduce the likelihood of such risks through providing a clearer system so that quicker response and action can be taken to rectify the hazardous situation.
Key Updates to Incident Notification
New regulations clearly outline numerous reportable events to be communicated in real time to ensure that high-risk notifications are clearly communicated. Let’s take a closer look at several of the changes:
Expanded definition of Notifiable Incidents: Incidents involving plant and equipment which cause death, serious injury or illness, or have the potential to do so now must be notified as soon as possible. This covers the situation when failure/malfunction of equipment may cause severe injuries even in no case of injury has occurred. Further information on notifiable incidents may be obtained at WorkSafe’s Incident Notification page.
Timeliness in Reporting: Employers have the obligation under the new rules to notify WorkSafe Victoria immediately once an incident has happened. The rationale behind timely reporting includes enabling the authorities to investigate and give advice and take appropriate action on safety issues that will prevent recurrence of the same incident. You can find reporting instructions here.
Specific Equipment Notification Requirements: The amendments identify that the listed types of incidents involving plant, such as the breakdown of or failure of any component or control of machinery, are to be notified. This is the case even if safety features have operated to prevent injury. For more information, see Plant and Equipment Safety Page.
Record Keeping Requirements: The employer shall keep accurate records of incidents which involve plant and equipment. These records are helpful for the compliance auditor as well as WorkSafe Victoria to identify the impact of, and trends within industries that involve machinery incidents. For more information, refer to WorkSafe Record Keeping Requirements.
What incidents must be notified for plant and equipment?
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Under OHS regulation 74, from 1 July 2024 employers and self-employed persons must notify WorkSafe if they become aware of an incident that immediately or imminently exposes a person to a serious risk to their health or safety due to collapse, overturning, failure, or malfunction of, or damage to:
subject to subregulation (2), a plant that hoists or moves persons or things (not being a ship, boat, aircraft or, except as provided in subregulation (4), a vehicle designed to be used principally as a means of transport on a public road or rail)
Note: subregulation (4) says Division 5 applies to a vehicle designed to be used mainly as a means of transport on public roads or rail, if the vehicle is being used at a workplace other than a public road or rail.
- Tractors
- Earth moving machinery
- Pressure equipment
- Scaffolds
- Temporary access equipment
- Explosive-powered tools
- Turbines
- Amusement structures
Consequences for an Employer and a Safety Officer
For safety officers and employers, the changes mean adapting internal protocols to align with WorkSafe’s updated guidelines. Following are several ways businesses can make sure they remain compliant:
Training and Awareness: The employees should be trained on new reporting requirements so they may understand the essence of reporting all the incidents related to plants and equipment. Very clear communication in this regard will help avoid oversight. For training resources, visit WorkSafe’s Training and Support page.
Improved Reporting Mechanisms: Establish or upgrade reporting systems to ensure timely incident notification. Such reporting may be facilitated through digital means or through a stipulated channel ensuring timely submission.
Safety Audits and Inspections: Regular audits of equipment have to be conducted. Safety officers must periodically spot-check plant and machinery for potential risks or maintenance needs before they can develop into hazards.
Record and Analyse: Maintain incident records regarding near misses or incidents associated with equipment. These will help in establishing trends and reducing risks. These will be useful if WorkSafe Victoria shows up at any time for an inspection or audit.
How the Changes Benefit the Workplace
The enhanced incident notification procedures will protect both employees and employers at the end. Quick reporting allows quick responses towards malfunction of equipment. This reduces occurrence of an incident again and again. Employers by staying compliant can avoid certain penalties that may keep their operations within the safety boundaries of Victoria.
Safety to the Next Level
While administratively burdensome, the new notification requirements represent a necessary step toward a safer workplace. Employers in those industries that rely on plant and equipment should regard such developments as an opportunity to review their safety policies and adopt proactive risk management and an appropriate culture of vigilance.
In addition, staying on top of the changes by WorkSafe Victoria is not just a legal requirement but also reinforces an organisation’s commitment to employee well-being. By proactive adjustment and clear focus on safety, workplaces will be enabled to prosper as secure, productive places.
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