Hazard reporting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent incidents before they happen.
A hazard might seem minor at the time — a damaged lead, poor housekeeping, missing barricade, unsafe access, or a change in site conditions — but if it is not reported and controlled, it can quickly become something more serious.
Speaking up early helps protect you, your workmates, and the wider business.
Why Hazard Reporting Matters
Hazard reporting is not about paperwork; it is about action.
When hazards are reported early, we can.
- Fix issues before someone gets hurt.
- Identify repeating problems across sites or teams.
- Improve how work is planned and controlled.
- Share learnings before an incident occurs.
- Strengthen our safety systems and decision-making.
Every report provides an opportunity to learn, improve, and prevent harm.
What Should Be Reported
If something has the potential to cause harm, damage equipment, impact the environment, or affect the safe delivery of work, it should be reported.
Examples include.
- Unsafe conditions or behaviours.
- Damaged tools, equipment, leads, or guards.
- Missing or ineffective controls.
- Poor access, housekeeping, or lighting.
- Changes in weather, ground conditions, plant, or work scope.
- Near misses or close calls.
- Repeating hazards that keep coming back.
If you are unsure whether something should be reported, report it anyway.
What Good Reporting Looks Like
Good reporting is clear, timely, and focused on improvement.
That means.
- Reporting hazards as soon as practicable.
- Providing enough detail so the issue can be understood.
- Taking immediate action where safe to do so.
- Notifying your Leader and/ or the person responsible for the area.
- Recording the hazard through the correct reporting process.
- Following up if the hazard remains unresolved.
Reporting is most effective when it leads to action.
CALL-OUT | See It. Report It. Fix It.
If you see something unsafe.
- Stop and make the area safe, where you can.
- Warn others who may be exposed.
- Report the hazard through the correct process.
- Escalate if the risk is serious or immediate.
- Follow up if the issue is not resolved.
A hazard left unreported is a hazard left uncontrolled.
CALL-OUT | Speaking Up Is a Safety Control
Speaking up is not about blame. It is about preventing harm.
You should feel comfortable speaking up when.
- Something does not look right.
- A control is missing or not working.
- Conditions have changed.
- You are unsure whether the task is safe.
- A workmate may be exposed to risk.
Raising a concern early is a sign of professionalism and care.
Your Role
Everyone has a role in hazard reporting and speaking up.
You can help by.
- Reporting hazards early, even if they seem minor.
- Talking to your Supervisor if something needs immediate attention.
- Sharing learnings with your teammates.
- Encouraging others to speak up without fear of blame.
- Taking ownership of hazards that you can safely control.
Safety improves when people are willing to speak up and act.
The Bigger Picture
Hazard reporting helps us understand what is happening across our workplaces.
When hazards are reported and acted on.
- Risks are identified earlier.
- Trends and repeating issues become visible.
- Controls can be improved.
- Teams learn from each other.
- Serious incidents are less likely to occur.
Reporting is not just an administrative step — it is how we make work safer.
Ask Yourself — If You See a Hazard
- Could this cause harm if it is left uncontrolled?
- Have I made the area safe or warned others where I can?
- Have I reported it through the correct process?
Ask Yourself — If You’re Supervising the Work
- Am I encouraging my team to report hazards early?
- Are reported hazards being reviewed, actioned, and closed out?
- Are repeating hazards being escalated and addressed properly?
If something does not look right — speak up, report it, and help prevent the next incident.
