Report an incident

Workplaces must report 'notifiable incident' to WorkSafe ACT, either:

• in writing - you can complete a Notifiable Incident Report Form and forward it to WorkSafe ACT, GPO Box 158, Canberra City, ACT, 2601
• by phone - ring WorkSafe ACT on 02 6207 3000
• by fax or other electronic means - fax WorkSafe ACT on 02 6205 0336; email worksafe@act.gov.au .

After 1 January 2012, the reporting of a notifiable incident must be done using the Notifiable Incident Report Form.

'notifiable incidents' include the following:

• the death of a person
• a serious injury or illness of a person
• a 'dangerous incident'

A 'dangerous incident' means any 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
• an uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire
• an uncontrolled escape of gas or steam
• an uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance
• electric shock
• the fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing
• the collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction of, or damage to any plant that is required to be authorised for use in the regulations
• the collapse or partial collapse of a structure
• the collapse or failure of an evacuation or of any shoring supporting an excavation
• the inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel
• the interuption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation or tunnel or
• another event prescribed in the regulations.

Records of serious events must be kept for 5 years after the date notice is given.

The maximum penalty for failure to comply with the notification requirements is $10,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a body corporate.

The WorkSafe ACT poster is currently being updated to reflect the new obligations and will be available on this site shortly.