Changes to WorkSafe incident notification in Victoria

Victorian employers and those responsible for prescribed equipment used outside of workplaces are now required to notify WorkSafe of certain incidents involving a range of machinery. High-risk machinery in common use such as tractors, quad bikes, forklifts, excavators and mining and quarrying equipment are now included.

These changes align the notification requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and the Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations, providing clarity around when an incident is notifiable.

WorkSafe must be notified when an incident involving prescribed machinery or equipment immediately or imminently exposes a person to a serious health and safety risk due to collapse, overturning, failure, malfunction or damage.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said operating machinery and equipment like forklifts and excavators is a routine part of life for many Victorian workers, adding that updating these regulations will facilitate more transparency and accountability around reporting incidents, which is crucial for identifying patterns and preventing workers from being at serious risk of harm.

“Victorians working with and around machinery should feel confident that incident notification reform will lead to a better informed and safer work environment for everyone,” Jenkin said.

Failure to inform WorkSafe immediately after becoming aware that a notifiable incident has occurred is an offence and may result in prosecution. Duty holders can report an incident to WorkSafe’s 24/7 emergency line on 13 23 60.

Image credit: iStock.com/Thank you for your assistant