Overview
Safe Work Australia invites your feedback on potential options to improve the coverage and operation of the incident notification provisions in the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act (the ‘incident notification provisions’).
The options explored in this consultation paper are based on the findings of a review of the incident notification provisions (‘incident notification review’) undertaken by Safe Work Australia in 2021-22. This review identified opportunities to address specific gaps in the current notification requirements and also expand the framework to capture a broader range of injuries, illnesses, hazards and harms.
Most significantly, the consultation paper includes options for consideration that would:
capture psychological injuries, illnesses and harm, and psychosocial hazards (including workplace violence, bullying and harassment), and
introduce periodic reporting (six-monthly) for certain incidents where immediate notification is not required.
Your views and supporting evidence on the proposed options will inform findings to be provided to Safe Work Australia Members and any final recommendations to Commonwealth, state and territory WHS ministers, who are the decision makers in relation to amendments to the model WHS laws.
Safe Work Australia thanks you for your time in contributing to this important consultation process.
A note to readers
This paper discusses a range of sensitive issues, including work-related fatalities, suicide and attempted suicide, workplace violence, sexual assault, exposure to trauma, and bullying and harassment. While specific cases are not discussed, circumstances are described that may cause distress for readers.
Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia. If you need help now, call:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Submissions will be accepted until 10am AEST 11 September 2023.
Any enquiries about this consultation process can be directed to: Director, Psychosocial and Consultation Policy by email: INConsult@swa.gov.au.