Notifiable events — what you must report to WorkSafe and when
HSWA 2015 — Part 3WorkSafe NZUpdated April 2026⚡ Live legislation content
Quick answer
Three types of events must be notified to WorkSafe: notifiable deaths, notifiable injuries or illnesses, and notifiable incidents (near-misses with serious risk). Notify immediately on 0800 030 040. Preserve the scene.
Many businesses notify deaths and serious injuries but miss notifiable incidents. A scaffold collapse with no injuries still requires immediate notification if it created serious risk. Failure to notify: fines up to $50,000.
Your team needs to know notification rules before an incident happens, not after.
Upload your incident response procedures and give every worker instant, cited answers.
Call 0800 030 040 as soon as possible. Follow up with written notification to WorkSafe within 2 days.
Scene preservation — critical
Don't disturb the scene until a WorkSafe inspector arrives or gives permission. Exceptions:
To help an injured person
To prevent further injury or death
To prevent destruction of property
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Photograph before any disturbance
Even when disturbance is permitted, photograph the scene thoroughly before anything is moved. Photographs are critical evidence for investigations and insurance claims.
Common questions
No. First-aid-only treatment doesn't meet the threshold. Record it in your site register but no WorkSafe notification is required.
Yes. Notifiable events apply to any person, not just workers. WorkSafe must be notified for serious public injuries caused by work activity.
Yes. WorkSafe prefers over-notification to missed notifications. Failing to notify is an offence; over-notifying is not.
No. Business continuity is not a permitted reason to disturb a notifiable event scene.
Fines up to $10,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a body corporate.
What happens when staff ask this question at 11pm?
"A piece of scaffolding came down on-site — no injuries but it nearly hit someone. Do we call WorkSafe?"