Workplace safety is more than just a legal responsibility, it’s giving people your best effort to protect them, to prevent harm, and to build trust. Under Australia’s Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, workplace incidents defined as “notifiable incidents” must be reported to your relevant regulator without delay.
What is Incident Notification?
Under the Model WHS Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must notify the regulator as soon as they become aware of a notifiable incident.
Notifiable incidents are when:
- A person dies
- A person suffers a serious injury or illness
- A dangerous incident happens (a serious risk to health or safety even if no person is injured)
A phone call can be made to notify first, followed by a written notice, depending on your regulator’s processes.
When is an Incident Considered ‘Serious’?
‘Serious’ injuries and illnesses include any case that requires:
Immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital
Immediate treatment for:
- Amputation
- Serious head injuries or serious eye injuries
- Serious burns
- Spinal injuries
- Loss of bodily function
- Serious laceration
Medical treatment provided within 48 hours of exposure to a substance
Dangerous incidents are those that expose a person to a serious risk to health or safety, for example:
- Uncontrolled spills, leaks, or escapes of substances
- Electrical shocks
- Explosions or fires
- Structural collapse
- Failure of plant, equipment, or pressure vessels
Preserving the Incident Site
When a notifiable incident occurs, the PCBU’s duty is to preserve the site until an inspector arrives or unless it would create a risk to someone, cause further damage, or assist an injured person so that they are no longer in need of assistance.
This duty preserves evidence so that investigators have an accurate record and understanding of what led to a person being made ill or injured at work.
State and Territory Variations
The Model WHS Act establishes a national framework, each state and territory regulator has its own specific procedures and contacts for reporting. Businesses must be aware of their local circumstances to remain compliant.
Why Timely Notification Matters
Failure to notify the regulator of a notifiable incident is a breach of the WHS Act and could result in costly penalties. In addition to compliance, prompt notification will help with the following:
- Protect workers and the general public
- Promptly identify and control hazards
- Prevent future incidents
- Protect your organisation’s safety reputation
How Anitech Supports Compliance
Anitech supports organisations across Australia to ensure their safety systems are robust practical, and compliant with the law. Anitech’s services include:
- Reviewing and refreshing incident response procedures.
- Managing the training of managers and staff responsibilities regarding notifications.
- Assisting businesses to interpret their specific state obligations.
- Putting in place a digital solution such as our Lahebo risk management software to report and document incidents.
Final Word
Incident notifications should not just be a tick-and-flick process; incident notification is a major part of workplace safety management. Understanding your obligations under the Model WHS Act and making sure you have the right skeystems in place is essential to protecting your people, your business, and your compliance record.
If you want to make sure your organisation can meet these obligations with ease, Anitech can help to create a clear, compliant, and efficient incident notification process.
Get in contact with Anitech today to review your workplace safety systems and protect what matters.
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