Disturbing the site of a notifiable incident

The person with management or control of a workplace at which a notifiable incident has occurred must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the site where the incident occurred is not disturbed, unless it is for a prescribed reason, until an inspector arrives at the site. The site includes any plant, substance, structure or thing associated with the notifiable incident.

A prescribed reason to disturb an incident site is action:

• to assist an injured person
• to remove a deceased person
• that is essential to make the site safe or to minimise the risk of a further notifiable incident
• that is associated with a police investigation
• for which an inspector or Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has given permission (a direction that a scene may be disturbed may be given in person or by a phone call).

Phone the WHS Infoline on 1300 362 128 if the incident occurs outside of business hours and you wish to disturb the incident site. A WHSQ on-call inspector will contact you within an appropriate time frame.

Also consider...

• Refer to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011.
• Find out more about incidents, notifications and contacting WHSQ.