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NZ Building Code · Health & SafetyNotifiable work & events: what you must tell WorkSafe
Two separate things must go to WorkSafe — high-risk work notified before you start, and serious events reported the moment they happen.
There are two separate things a builder has to put in front of WorkSafe: notifiable work (certain high-risk jobs, notified before you start) and notifiable events (when something serious actually happens, reported immediately). Missing either is an offence — and the event rules also control what you’re allowed to touch afterwards.
Notifiable work — tell WorkSafe before you start (at least 24 hours)
“Particularly hazardous work” must be notified at least 24 hours ahead. It includes:
- Work where a person could fall 5 m or more — not counting work on a building or scaffold up to two storeys, residential ladder work, or work off a fully-decked scaffold or EWP.
- Erecting or dismantling scaffolding where someone could fall 5 m or more.
- Certain excavations, shafts, drives, tunnels and cofferdams.
- Work in compressed air, or work involving explosives.
Notifiable events — tell WorkSafe as soon as possible
When something serious actually happens on site, report it straight away. A notifiable event is any of:
- A death.
- A notifiable injury or illness — for example an amputation, serious burns, a serious head or eye injury, a fracture (other than fingers or toes), a spinal injury, or anything needing immediate hospital treatment.
- A notifiable incident — a near-miss that exposed someone to serious risk, such as a structural collapse, the fall of a person or plant, an uncontrolled release or escape, or an electric shock.
Preserve the scene
After a notifiable event you must not disturb the site until WorkSafe says you can. The only exceptions are:
- Helping an injured person.
- Making the site safe.
- Doing what the police or WorkSafe direct.
Keep records of notifiable events for at least 5 years.
Plain-English guide, not advice. This page helps you understand and navigate the rules — it is general information, not design, engineering or consent advice, and it does not reproduce the copyrighted tables of NZS 3604 or any Standard. Always check the current Standard or Acceptable Solution and your BCA, and use a suitably qualified LBP, engineer or QS where it matters.
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Common questions
What’s the difference between notifiable work and a notifiable event?
Notifiable work is certain high-risk jobs you must tell WorkSafe about before you start — at least 24 hours ahead. A notifiable event is when something serious actually happens on site (a death, serious injury or illness, or a dangerous near-miss), which you report as soon as possible. They are two separate obligations, and missing either is an offence.
When does a fall risk make work notifiable?
Work where a person could fall 5 m or more is notifiable, and so is erecting or dismantling scaffolding where someone could fall 5 m or more. The 5 m fall trigger does not count work on a building or scaffold up to two storeys, residential ladder work, or work off a fully-decked scaffold or EWP.
What counts as a notifiable event I have to report immediately?
A death; a notifiable injury or illness such as an amputation, serious burns, a serious head or eye injury, a fracture (other than fingers or toes), a spinal injury, or anything needing immediate hospital treatment; or a notifiable incident — a near-miss that exposed someone to serious risk, like a structural collapse, the fall of a person or plant, an uncontrolled release or escape, or an electric shock.
Can I clean up the site after a serious incident?
No — after a notifiable event you must not disturb the site until WorkSafe says you can. The only exceptions are helping an injured person, making the site safe, or doing what the police or WorkSafe direct. You also have to keep records of notifiable events for at least 5 years.
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