Commencing 1 January are changes the reporting requirements for workplace safety incidents
The following Incidents must be immediately reported to the Worksafe Queensland
a) the death of a person; or
b) a serious injury or illness of a person; or
c) a dangerous incident.
A serious injury is any of the following:
a) immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital;
b) 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 (for example, degloving or scalping); or - a spinal injury; or
- the loss of a bodily function; or
- serious lacerations; or
c) medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance;
and includes any other injury or illness prescribed under a regulation but does not include an illness or injury of a prescribed kind.
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 under a regulation; 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 under a regulation;
but does not include an incident of a prescribed kind.
The notice must be given as required under this section and by the fastest possible means.
The notice must be given—
a) by telephone; or
b) in writing.
Example— The written notice can be given by facsimile, email or other electronic
means.
A person giving notice by telephone must—
a) give the details of the incident requested by the regulator; and
b) if required by the regulator, give a written notice of the incident within 48 hours of that requirement being made.
A written notice must be in a form, or contain the details, approved by the regulator.
