Published: 28 June 2024
From 1 July, Victorian employers and those responsible for prescribed equipment used outside of workplaces must notify WorkSafe of certain incidents involving a broader range of machinery.
Importantly, high-risk machinery in common use such as tractors, quad bikes, forklifts, excavators and mining and quarrying equipment are now included.
The 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 Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said operating machinery and equipment like forklifts and excavators was a routine part of daily life for many Victorian workers.
"Updating these regulations will mean there is more transparency and accountability around reporting incidents, which is crucial for identifying patterns and preventing workers from being at serious risk of harm," Mr Jenkin said.
"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".
More than 8,300 injury claims, almost a third of all claims accepted by WorkSafe last year, related to machinery and equipment.
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.