WorkSafeBC Home

Reporting serious incidents and fatalities

All fatalities must be reported to us immediately. Any serious incident, even one where no one gets hurt, must also be reported through our emergency reporting line.

Reporting a work-related emergency

To report a serious incident, call our toll-free emergency and accident reporting line.

Incidents that must be reported

Notify us right away about the following types of incidents:

  • Serious injury to or death of a worker
  • Major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system, or excavation
  • Major release of a hazardous substance
  • Fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker
  • Blasting incident causing personal injury
  • Dangerous incident involving explosives, whether or not there is personal injury

Information needed to make an emergency report

When reporting a work-related emergency, you must provide:

  • Your contact name and phone number
  • The location/address of the incident
  • The date and time of the incident
  • The number of workers involved, and their names
  • A brief description of the incident

An employer's obligation to investigate

Employers are obligated to investigate certain incidents and to report on these investigations. Learn more about when you need to conduct an investigation, and about writing incident investigation reports in Incident investigations.

Protecting an incident scene

Unless directed by one of our officers or a peace officer, you must not disturb the scene of an incident except to:

  • Attend to persons injured or killed
  • Prevent further injuries or death
  • Protect property that is endangered as a result of the accident