Comments sought on ways to improve WHS incident notification framework

Aug 1st 2023 | Stephen Kariahe

Comments sought on ways to improve WHS incident notification framework

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Safe Work Australia is seeking public comments on ways to improve the incident notification framework, inviting feedback from businesses, regulators and safety professionals across the country.

This framework notifies WHS regulators of serious occupational incidents and "helps to support compliance with WHS laws" to prevent work-related incidents. Strengthening these incident notification obligations forms part of a broader push to improve workplace health outcomes nationwide.

What Safe Work Australia Is Reviewing

Safe Work Australia said, "The incident notification framework is focussed on identifying specific incidents that cause serious physical harm or pose a risk of serious physical harm."

Feedback gathered through this process will help shape potential options for expanding the framework, including whether current thresholds capture the full range of illnesses and injuries requiring notification. Organisations reviewing their own incident reporting policy may find this consultation particularly relevant, as any changes could directly affect notification procedures and health reporting obligations for PCBUs.

Why This Consultation Matters for Workplace Safety

Robust reporting mechanisms remain central to protecting worker safety and reducing work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses. When regulators receive timely, accurate WHS incident data, they gain a clearer picture of emerging risks across industries such as construction, manufacturing and healthcare.

For businesses, engaging with this consultation offers a chance to influence how future WHS incident thresholds are defined, ensuring practical, workable outcomes for frontline safety teams. Organisations managing their WHS recording centre processes should pay close attention to any proposed changes, since updated notification requirements could affect existing record-keeping systems.

How to Have Your Say

The deadline for submission of comments is 11 September 2023. Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback from a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including PCBUs, industry bodies and health and safety representatives, to ensure the review reflects real-world workplace safety challenges.

Visit the Safe Work Australia website for more information on how to make a submission.

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Comments sought on ways to improve WHS incident notification framework