Notify the regulator of an incident or learn how to report unsafe work.
Workplace hazards
WorkSafe encourages a consultative process where workplace safety complaints are first reported within the workplace in an attempt to resolve them in-house. The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) contains provisions to manage hazards at the workplace, consultation requirements, as well as resolution of issues between workers and the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).
Where consultation in the workplace has not resolved the problem, it may be necessary to report the matter to WorkSafe and request intervention by an inspector.
To report unsafe work practices online, you will need to have:
- the name and address of the workplace
- the type of workplace
- details of the unsafe practices
- your contact details: phone number, mobile phone number and/or email address.
Learn more about reporting unsafe work.
Bullying or sexual harassment
WorkSafe takes a system-based approach to the prevention of inappropriate workplace behaviours such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) and workplace violence and aggression (including sexual assault).
WorkSafe inquiries focus on the systems in place at a workplace to prevent and manage psychosocial hazards. If a breach is identified, WorkSafe may issue the PCBU an Improvement Notice requiring systems to be improved. WorkSafe may also take other enforcement action.
WorkSafe is not able to provide financial compensation, legal advice mediation, review the outcome of a workplace investigation or require an apology or a disciplinary outcome.
Read more on complaints about bullying, sexual assault or harassment.
Report a workplace incident
To report a workplace related death, serious life threatening incident or disease please call 1800 678 198.
A 'notifiable incident' means:
- the death of a person
- a serious injury or illness of a person
- a dangerous incident.
Any death, dangerous incident, serious injury and illness must be reported immediately to WorkSafe as soon as you become aware of the incident. However, if urgent medical assistance is required, please call emergency services on 000 as a priority.
An incident site must not be disturbed until an inspector arrives at the site or directs otherwise, whichever is earlier. The person with management or control of the workplace is responsible for preserving the incident site, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Notifying WorkSafe can help identify the causes of incidents and prevent further work-related deaths, injuries, illnesses, damage and loss at other workplaces.
Learn how to report a death or serious incident at a workplace.
Incidents on mines and mine sites
Mines and mine sites have an additional reporting requirement to notify ‘reportable incidents’. Learn more about What is a reportable incident under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022.
Incidents on petroleum and geothermal energy operations
Petroleum and geothermal energy operations have two further notification requirements. Under the Work Health and Safety (Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Operations) Regulations 2022, they need to report notifiable occurrences and additional dangerous incidents.
Incidents involving dangerous good, explosive or security sensitive ammonium nitrate
A separate notification must be reported to the Dangerous Goods Safety Branch. Further detail on what is reportable under the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 is provided, see What is a reportable dangerous goods incident? (dmp.wa.gov.au).
Who is responsible for reporting?
The PCBU is responsible for ensuring that the regulator is notified. A PCBU at a mine that is not a mine operator must also ensure, as soon as reasonably practicable, that the mine operator is advised of any incident notified to the regulator.
If an incident occurs at a workplace involving multiple PCBUs or duty holders, each must work together to ensure the incident has been duly reported to the regulator.
Learn more on how to consult, cooperate and coordinate with your duty holders.