Notifiable Incidents –

The below outlines the requirements for statutory reporting of notifiable work-related injuries and dangerous occurrence, a mandatory requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 

What is a Notifiable Incident..?

A notifiable incident means:

• The death of a person; or
• A serious injury or illness of a person; or
• A dangerous incident.

Serious injury or illness of a person means an injury or illness requiring the person to have immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or immediate treatment for:

• The amputation of any part of his or her body; or
• A serious head injury; or
• A serious eye injury; or
• A serious burn; or
• The separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as de-gloving or scalping); or
• A spinal injury; or
• The loss of a bodily function; or
• Serious lacerations; or
• Medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance, and includes any other injury or illness prescribed by the regulations

A dangerous incident means an incident in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a person’s health or safety emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to:

• An uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of a substance; or
• An uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire; or
• An uncontrolled escape of gas or steam; or
• An uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance; or
• Electric shock; or
• The fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing; or
• The collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction of, or damage to, any plant that is required to be authorised for use in accordance with the regulations; or
• The collapse or partial collapse of a structure; or
• The collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation; or
• The inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
• The interruption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
• Any other event prescribed by the regulations
  

  DEFINITIONS

  Incident is an unplanned / undesired instance of something happening, an event or occurrence that has resulted in personal injury or illness and / or damage to equipment, property, plant or the natural environment.

  Near-miss is an unplanned event that did not result in, but has the potential to, result in personal injury or illness and / or damage to equipment, property, plant or the natural environment.

  Serious incident is an unplanned event that has resulted in, or could have resulted in, the hospitalisation or death of a workplace participant.