Notify WorkSafe

Notify an incident

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must notify NT WorkSafe if a serious injury, a dangerous incident or death has occurred at the workplace. These type of incidents are called notifiable incidents under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the WHS Act).

The notification must be made by the PCBU or by a person with management or control of the workplace (e.g. a manager or shift supervisor).

A worker (unless authorised by the PCBU) or witness (bystander) cannot make the incident notification, but can report a safety concern (see below).

The WHS Act requires the PCBU to:

  • notify NT WorkSafe of a ‘notifiable incident’ immediately after becoming aware it has happened; and
  • preserve (do not disturb) the incident scene until NT WorkSafe Inspectors arrive or directs otherwise (some exceptions apply).

To make a notification

Failing to report a ‘notifiable incident’ is an offence and penalties apply.

Further information is available on our incident notification page.

Report a safety concern

Workers and members of the public who have safety concerns about a workplace can report the issue with NT WorkSafe. Before contacting us, we ask that the PCBU is made aware of any safety concerns and given the opportunity to resolve it first.

If you are a worker:

  • report your concern to your supervisor or manager, or via your workplaces hazard reporting system
  • report the issue with your health and safety representative and/or your union representative

If you are a member of the public:

  • report your concern with a supervisor or manager at the business or workplace.

To report a safety concern

If your concerns have not been appropriately resolved, or it is not practical to report your concerns, please use the online form below.

Further information is available on our report a safety concern page.

Notification requirements before start of works

PCBUs must also notify NT WorkSafe before commencing any of the following activities.

  • Asbestos removalists must send to NT WorkSafe a completed notification form five days before any removal work involving friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos.

    For asbestos removal in emergency situations, asbestos removalists must call NT WorkSafe on 1800 019 115 for approval.

    There are notification requirements for elevated respirable asbestos fibre levels or the emergency demolition of a structure or plant involving asbestos.

    Additional information is available on the asbestos notification page.

  • A PCBU must send to NT WorkSafe a completed notification form five days before starting demolition work:

    • on a structure, or a part of a structure that is load bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, that is at least 6 m in height; or
    • involving load shifting machinery on a suspended floor; or
    • involving explosives.

    Further information is available on our demolition notification page.

  • Licensed gasfitters must send to NT WorkSafe, a completed notification form at least 24 hours before starting:

    • the installation of fuel gas system;
    • the connection of a gas appliance; or
    • the repair (other than minor repair), alteration, or removal of an existing fuel gas system.

    If the work is done for emergency situations, notifications is required as soon as practicable.

    Notification is not required when:

    • the total quantity of fuel gas connected to the system will not exceed 200 kg; or
    • the fuel gas system is connected to a gas main, with a total energy consumption of no more than 200 MJ per hour.

    Gas mains work

    Licensed gasfitters are required to submit a completed notification form 7 days before starting construction or repair of the gas main, unless the works are emergency repairs, minor repairs or routine maintenance.

  • A PCBU must send to NT WorkSafe a completed notification form when Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals are used, handled or stored at a workplace above manifest quantities.

    Notification is required immediately after its known that hazardous chemicals above manifest quantities will be used, handled or stored at the workplace, or at least 14 days before the first use, handling or storage (whichever is earlier).

    Additional information is available on the hazardous chemicals notification page.

  • A PCBU must send to NT WorkSafe a completed notification form before any explosives (excluding safety cartridges and distress signals) are imported into or exported from the Northern Territory.

    The import notification must be made before the explosives arrive into the Northern Territory, and the export notification made before the explosives leave the Northern Territory.

  • Due to the harmful effects of lead exposure, the WHS Regulations details notification requirements if a workplace works with lead.

    A PCBU must send NT WorkSafe a completed notification form within seven days if:

    A PCBU must also notify NT WorkSafe as soon as practicable if a worker has been removed from lead risk work.

    Additional information is available on the lead risk work notification page.

Other notification requirements