Work Health and Safety Policy and Procedure Requirements – WHS Information for Businesses

What is a WHS Policy?

A robust Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy is essential for every business. Its intent is to communicate the business commitment to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all workers (including contractors and volunteers) as well as clients, visitors and members of the public.

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Why have a WHS Policy?

The responsibility for managing health and safety ultimately rests with the person in control of the business or undertaking (PCBU), directors and management. Workers also have important responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. By investing in a Work Health and Safety Policy and Management System businesses (and employers) can ensure they’re meeting their legal obligations under WHS Act and WHS Regulations.

WHS Policies and Procedures Documents from ISOsafe

ISOsafe’s WHS Policies and Procedures are prepared to your specific business to help your business comply, other benefits of our tailored WHS Management Systems include:

·       Information and guidance to workers on identifying and managing hazards and incidents

·       Delineates roles and responsibilities of workers and managers

·       Establish a system for tracking OHS/WHS Performance

·       Simplify legal and other requirements - Win new business through tenders and EOI by demonstrating your business’ commitment to Health and Safety

·       Reduces workplace incidents and injuries – lowering workers compensation premiums and lost time (thereby increasing productivity as workers are not taking time off to recover from work related injuries)

·       Improved employee job satisfaction

What are WHS Procedures, and which ones does every business need?

WHS System Procedures are guidelines that provide instruction to ensure minimum requirements for health and safety are systematically met.

Every business should have the following WHS Procedures:

·       Health and Safety Induction for Employees

·       Health and Safety Training

·       Reporting Hazards and Incidents, and Conducting Investigations at Workplaces

·       Consultation, Communication and Coordination - Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Election, Health and Safety Committee (HSC) Election.

·       WHS Issue Resolution

·       Risk Management – Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control measures (HIRAC)

·       Emergency Management – First Aid, Fire and other emergency events.

 Could your business benefit from these Policies? Call us today to start your compliance journey.

Looking for a Customised WHS Policy? Call ISOsafe for immediate assistance 1300 789 132.

Ballarat Construction Company Fined $25,000 For Unsafe Scaffolding

A Ballarat construction company has been convicted and fined $25,000 for ignoring WorkSafe directions to fix unsafe scaffolding at a Mount Clear worksite.

The company was found guilty in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court of two offences relating to a failure to provide a safe workplace and a failure to comply with a WorkSafe prohibition notice.

It was also ordered to pay $2897 in costs.

The court heard that WorkSafe issued the company with a prohibition notice in May 2016 after an inspector observed incomplete scaffolding, with missing planks and gaps in the handrails, at a site in the Ballarat suburb of Mount Clear. 

The notice required that the scaffolding not be used until the safety issues were addressed.

When a WorkSafe inspector returned to check that the notice has been complied with, he observed a person working from the same incomplete scaffolding.

The court heard that two subcontractors said they were directed by a company representative to work on the roof of the construction, and were not aware there was a prohibition notice in respect to the scaffolding.

WorkSafe Head of Operations and Emergency Management Adam Watson said the idea that a construction company would ignore a directive to fix a safety issue as critical as scaffolding was abhorrent.

“Falls are one of the most common causes of death and serious injury among construction workers. You don’t have to fall from a great height to be killed or suffer permanent injuries at a worksite,” Mr Watson said.

“Given the risks it’s quite disturbing to think that anyone would ignore a specific WorkSafe directive to make scaffolding safer.”

Employers should control the risk of injury through falls from height by ensuring:

• The installation of passive fall prevention measures such as railings and scaffolding.

• Workers perform their tasks within a safe area.

• Safety equipment is used to minimise the risk of injury if there is a fall.

• That workplace layout, access requirements, training and experience levels and on-site conditions are taken into account when the risk of falls is assessed.

For peace of mind, contact ISOsafe. Our specialists provide training, support and Safety Policies tailored for businesses Australia-wide. 

Safety Plan For Your Business | OHS Compliance

We prepare customised Safety Plans for projects and businesses Australia-wide.

Safety Plans are sometimes also called:

• WHS Management Plan

• OHS Management Plan

• Site Specific Safety Management Plan

• Project Safety Construction Plan

• WHS Construction Safety Plan

• Construction Safety Management Plan

• Health and Safety Plan

Whatever the type and size of business you run, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 affects you. Everyone from the sole trader to the largest corporation has equal responsibility for ensuring their workplace is safe.

Health and safety laws require contractors (such as Builders, Shopfitters and Project Managers) to prepare a Safety Plan for any workplace where the value of construction work exceeds $250,000.

Although not legally required for projects under $250,000, Safety Plans are recommended for use by contractors as written evidence of a living and breathing health and safety program.

·         Our Safety Plans help contractors meet their obligations and allows you to:

·         Be able to easily and quickly distribute the completed plan to subcontractors and clients

·         Ensure you are using a compliant and up-to-date plan

·         Save time by re-using information from previous plans to create new, similar plans

·         The most trusted provider of Safety policy and procedures in Australia

·         Free phone support to help you every step of the way

We make Safety simple. We take care of everything for you, allowing you to focus on running your business and getting the job done.

We are also able to prepare Environmental Plans and Quality Plans to help you manage all aspects of compliance and client needs. Get in touch today for a fast free quote 1300 789 132