Notifiable incident
A notifiable incident is a death, serious injury, or dangerous event on site that must be reported to the WHS regulator immediately and in writing within 48 hours.
Ask Chalkline about this →A notifiable incident is a workplace death, serious injury or illness, or dangerous incident that must be reported immediately to the relevant WHS regulator. Under the harmonised Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who manages or controls the workplace must notify the regulator by phone as soon as they become aware of the incident, and follow up with written notification within 48 hours (verified 2026-05-10).
On a construction site, notifiable incidents include workplace deaths, injuries requiring immediate hospital admission (amputation, spinal injury, serious head or eye injury, loss of bodily function, serious lacerations), and dangerous incidents such as uncontrolled substance releases, explosions, structural collapses, and plant failures. The site must not be disturbed after a notifiable incident until the regulator directs otherwise, except to protect injured persons or prevent further harm.
Victoria: the equivalent obligation sits in ss 37-39 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Notify WorkSafe Victoria on 13 23 60 immediately.
Also known as: notifiable event.
Category: Health and safety.
Related
- HRCW: The 18 high-risk construction work categories
- SWMS: When it’s required and how to write one
- WorkSafe Victoria: OHS Act 2004
See also
Last updated: 2026-05-10. Verified: 2026-05-10. Quarterly review for currency.