DHA WHS incidents
All WHS incidents that occur at a DHA workplace – whether that is an office, DHA managed property, or construction site – must be reported immediately by calling 139 342. If the event occurs after hours please contact your designated DHA contract manager or representative directly or email a copy of the incident report to whs@dha.gov.au.
WHS questions? Email the WHS team at whs@dha.gov.au.
Importance of responding to workplace incidents
We recognise the importance of responding to workplace incidents in a timely and structured manner, irrespective of whether the incident has resulted in a workplace injury. The reporting and investigation of incidents is seen as an opportunity to learn from what has occurred to prevent further recurrence.
What happens next?
A member of the DHA WHS Team will be in contact with you to:
- advise whether the incident site can be disturbed or needs to be isolated to prevent disturbance
- confirm your obligations to report to the WHS Regulator in the state or territory where the incident occurred
- gather information about the event in order to fulfil DHA’s obligations to report and investigate the incident
- advise of the further steps you may need to take to fulfil your obligations to DHA and under WHS laws, including submitting a copy of the incident investigation report.
You will need to ensure promptly after the incident has been reported an investigation is undertaken to understand and advise to DHA of:
- what exactly occurred and why (root cause and contributing factors to the incident)
- details about any injuries and how they were medically treated
- control measures to be implemented to prevent a it from happening again.
Incidents you need to notify to the local WHS Regulator
There are certain incidents that must be notified as soon as possible after the event to the WHS regulator in the state or territory the incident occurred. These include:
- the death of a person
- a serious injury or illness of a person (see below)
- a dangerous incident.
What is a serious injury or illness?
A serious injury or illness of a person means an injury or illness requiring the person to have immediate treatment as an in patient in a hospital or immediate treatment for:
- the amputation of any part of his or her body
- a serious head injury
- a serious eye injury
- a serious burn
- the separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as degloving or scalping)
- a spinal injury
- the loss of a bodily function
- serious lacerations
- medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance.
What is a dangerous incident?
A dangerous incident means an incident in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a person’s health or safety emanating 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
- 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 authorised for use in accordance with the regulations
- 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
- the interruption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation, or tunnel.