Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy Template Template

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) POLICY [Company Name] Effective: [Policy Effective Date] Review: [Next Review Date] WHS Owner: [WHS Officer / Owner] 1. PURPOSE [Company Name] is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all workers, contractors, and visitors. This policy outlines our approach to managing work health and safety in compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (or applicable State or Territory equivalent). 2. SCOPE This policy applies to all directors, officers, workers (including casuals, labour-hire workers, and apprentices), contractors, sub-contractors, volunteers, and visitors to our workplaces. 3. COMMITMENT [Company Name] will, so far as is reasonably practicable: (a) provide and maintain a safe working environment, plant and systems of work; (b) provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary; (c) consult with workers on health and safety matters that affect them; (d) maintain procedures for managing the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances; (e) provide adequate facilities for the welfare of workers; (f) monitor workplace conditions and the health of workers. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 Officers and management Officers must exercise due diligence to ensure [Company Name] complies with its WHS duties, including acquiring up-to-date knowledge of WHS matters, understanding hazards and risks, and ensuring resources and processes are available to eliminate or minimise risks. 4.2 Workers Workers must: (a) take reasonable care for their own health and safety; (b) take reasonable care that their actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others; (c) comply with reasonable WHS instructions; (d) cooperate with reasonable WHS policies and procedures. 5. RISK MANAGEMENT [Company Name] applies a risk management process based on: (a) identifying hazards; (b) assessing risks; (c) controlling risks (eliminate first, then substitute, isolate, engineer, administer, PPE); (d) reviewing controls. 6. INCIDENT REPORTING All incidents, injuries, illnesses, and near misses must be reported to the WHS Owner as soon as reasonably possible. Notifiable incidents (death, serious injury or illness, dangerous incidents) must be reported to the regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria) immediately. 7. CONSULTATION [Company Name] will consult with workers on WHS matters through team meetings, toolbox talks, and direct discussions. Workers may elect health and safety representatives under the WHS Act. 8. TRAINING All workers will receive WHS induction on commencement and ongoing training appropriate to their role, including specific training for high-risk work. 9. POLICY REVIEW This policy will be reviewed at least annually and amended as required by changes to legislation, the workplace, or relevant regulatory codes. Approved by: ____________________________________ (CEO / Director) Date: [Policy Effective Date] Note: This is a base WHS policy. Workplaces with high-risk work, hazardous substances, or specific industry exposures (construction, mining, manufacturing, healthcare) need additional procedures, safe work method statements (SWMS), and risk-specific controls. Refer to your regulator (Safe Work Australia or State/Territory body).