Report a death or dangerous incident at a workplace

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Notifiable incidents

To report a workplace related death, a serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident that is currently life-threatening, phone 1800 678 198.

All of these incidents must be reported to WorkSafe immediately once the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) becomes aware of the incident. Where required, urgent medical assistance should be sought prior to contacting WorkSafe. After informing WorkSafe of the incident, use the links below if you also need to notify online.

There is a duty to preserve the scene of an incident so far as reasonably practicable.

Online reporting

A dangerous incident that is not currently life-threatening should be reported online.

For general workplaces, you may be also asked to lodge online in addition to a phone call.

All notifiable incidents for mining and petroleum and geothermal energy operations have additional reporting requirements. This means an online notification must be lodged in addition to lodging the incident by phone.

How to report

General workplaces (excluding mines or petroleum/geothermal operations)

You can notify an incident online for a dangerous incident.

Mining operations

If the incident occurred on a worksite covered by the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, details of the incident should be submitted online to the regulator via the Safety Regulation System (SRS). Before you can access SRS, you must register to use the system. Once registered, you will receive an account number from the Department, which you will need to use to access SRS.

SRS allows users to lodge documents and data with the department electronically. This includes approvals, compliance, notifications, health and hygiene sampling information, levy assessment, as well as licence and certification management. Some functions also enable customers to monitor the progress of their submissions and to upgrade and manage their licence details online.

Petroleum and geothermal energy operations

If a notifiable incident occurs at or near a facility arising from a petroleum or geothermal operation, details of the incident should be submitted to the regulator online.

Dangerous goods

If the incident also involved a dangerous goods, explosives or security sensitive ammonium nitrate, a separate notification must be reported to the Dangerous Goods Safety Branch.

Step 1

Report incidents as soon as practicable to a Dangerous Goods Officer:

Step 2

Lodge a dangerous goods incident report online within 21 days of the incident occurring.

For more information on what is reportable under the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 click on What is a reportable dangerous goods incident?

Report an incident to WorkSafe

Download these posters for a quick reference guide to reporting a death, serious injury or illness or a life-threatening dangerous incident in your workplace.

Report an incident to WorkSafe: Posters

Use the Incident notification: Interpretive guideline for an overview on mandatory reporting requirements for incidents that must be notified to the regulator under the work health and safety legislation. 

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