Something's happened and the question is on you: do we have to notify the regulator? Four questions, then the call - and what to preserve while you make it.
🚨 Anyone needing urgent help gets 000 FIRST. This wizard comes after everyone is safe.
1. Did anyone die?
2. Serious injury or illness? (needed immediate treatment as an in-patient in hospital, OR immediate treatment for: amputation, serious head/eye injury, serious burn, degloving/scalping, spinal injury, loss of a bodily function, serious laceration - OR medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance)
3. Was it a dangerous incident? (something that EXPOSED anyone to a serious risk, even if nobody was hurt: structural collapse or partial collapse, fall or release of plant/load from height, electric shock, uncontrolled escape of gas, steam or pressurised substance, spillage of a hazardous chemical, fire or explosion, collapse of an excavation or shoring)
4. Which state or territory is the site in?
General guidance based on the model WHS Act definitions of a notifiable incident - not legal advice. Definitions vary slightly (especially VIC). When in ANY doubt, ring the regulator and ask - the call is free and notifying when you didn't need to has no penalty; failing to notify does. Verify the phone number on the regulator's website.
The tools above are free and yours to use. When you need the paperwork behind them reviewed by someone who has run sites, Obras HSE Services is a live consulting business in south-east Queensland.
SWMS review service — a marked-up review showing what is missing and why it matters.
