What is a dangerous incident?

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If a ‘dangerous incident’ arises through the conduct of a business or undertaking the regulator must be notified immediately.

Where the dangerous incident is currently life-threatening, the PCBU should ensure the regulator is notified by calling 1800 678 198 (24 hours).

Where the dangerous incident is not currently life-threatening, the notifiable incident can be lodged online instead.

General workplaces

Notify a dangerous incident online. You may be asked to lodge information online even if you already reported the dangerous incident via the phone.

Mining

All mining notifications of a dangerous incident must also be made online even if you have already notified via the phone, via the Safety Regulation System (SRS).

Petroleum and geothermal energy operations

All petroleum and geothermal notifications of a dangerous incident must also be made online even if you have already notified via the phone. If you cannot complete the interactive form, complete the Environmental and reportable incident/non-compliance reporting form.

Types of dangerous incidents

A dangerous incident is defined as any incident in relation to a workplace that exposes any person to a serious risk resulting from an immediate or imminent exposure to: 

The regulator must be notified of any incident in relation to a workplace that exposes any person to a serious risk resulting 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:
    • examples of electrical shock that are not notifiable
      • shock due to static electricity
      • ‘extra low voltage’ shock (i.e.  arising from electrical equipment less than or equal to 50V AC and less than or equal to 120V DC)
      • defibrillators are used deliberately to shock a person for first aid or medical reasons
  • examples of electrical shocks that are notifiable
    • minor shock resulting from direct contact with exposed live electrical parts (other than ‘extra low voltage’) including shock from capacitive discharge
  • 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 design or item registered under the WHS regulations, for example a collapsing crane
  • the collapse or partial collapse of a structure
  • the collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation
  • 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.

There are additional classes of dangerous incidents for petroleum operators.

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