Understanding Incident Reporting Requirements in Queensland’s Mining Industry
Why Incident Reporting Matters
A strong reporting culture is essential for improving safety in the mining and quarrying industry. Incident notifications not only ensure compliance with legal obligations but also help identify trends, improve safety measures, and prevent repeat incidents. Failure to report required incidents can lead to penalties, with Site Senior Executives (SSEs) responsible for ensuring compliance.
With new reporting requirements and the transition to online systems, it is crucial for site personnel to understand what needs to be reported, how to report it, and why timely notifications matter.
What Needs to Be Reported?
Under Queensland’s Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment Act 2024, Site Senior Executives must notify the regulator of the following:
Incidents That Must Be Reported via the RSHQ Portal:
Significant events that may impact worker safety or indicate operational hazards
Contaminant (dust) exceedances
Disease notifications, including diagnosed occupational illnesses such as respiratory diseases
High potential incidents (HPIs), which include events or a series of events that had the potential to cause significant adverse effect on the safety and health of a person, regardless of whether harm actually occurred
Register for the RSHQ Portal: https://rshq-eos.powerappsportals.com/
Training and Support for Incident Reporting: https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/incident-reporting-trial/training-and-support
Incidents That Must Be Reported by Phone (1300 312 339):
Serious accidents, including incidents where a worker is hospitalised for treatment
Fatalities occurring at a mine site
Explosives-related incidents must also be reported under the Explosives Act 1999 where applicable.
What Is a High Potential Incident (HPI)?
A High Potential Incident is any event or series of events that, under slightly different circumstances, could have caused a significant adverse impact on the health or safety of a person. Even if no one was harmed, if the incident occurred, it must be reported.
Examples of HPIs:
A strata failure in a mine or quarry, even if no workers were present
A withdrawal of personnel due to a dangerous condition, even if no injury occurred
An explosives incident, such as a misfire or breach of exclusion zones
The presence of a fire on a vehicle or plant
For more guidance on HPIs: https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1927845/Guidance-notification-of-incidents-and-disease.pdf
https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/incident-reporting-trial/training-and-support
RSHQ encourages an open reporting culture, as HPIs help identify safety failures before they lead to actual harm. If in doubt, report it.
How and When to Report an Incident
Immediate verbal notification is required for serious accidents, fatalities, and HPIs.
Written incident reports must be submitted promptly via the RSHQ portal or through approved forms.
Step-by-step guide to reporting incidents: https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1926549/FS_IP_89-Reporting-an-incident.pdf
Key Takeaways for SSEs and Site Managers
Ensure the correct reporting process is followed, using the RSHQ Portal for significant events and HPIs, and reporting serious accidents and fatalities by phone.
Promote a proactive reporting culture to prevent future incidents.
Stay compliant, as failing to notify required incidents can result in penalties.
Register for online reporting to ensure a smooth transition when manual forms are phased out.
For urgent queries, contact RSHQ at incidents@rshq.qld.gov.au or 1300 312 339.
By ensuring that incident reporting is done accurately, promptly, and consistently, we contribute to a safer industry for everyone.
