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WHS Management System.

Introduction:

In 2011 the Australian Federal Government authorised a Model Work Health and Safety Act (2011) with the intention of this Act being adopted by all states and territories within Australia thereby harmonising (synchronising) Occupational Health and Safety Laws across the nation and not having different laws for each state/ territory.

The Model Work Health and Safety Act was adopted (with amendments) by most states and territories shortly after release (all be it with each state/ territory tailoring the model act with their own deletions/ inclusions and amendments). While each of the states that have transitioned to Work Health and Safety (WHS) naming convention have retained the same division and section names/ numbers (for ease of reference), some specific wording may differ from state to state.

While WHS, OHS and OHS may be considered synonymous in meaning - be careful because within Australia each could have significant differences when referred to in a policy/ procedure or instruction. For example 'WHS' could indicate a reference to the Australian Capital Territory (Federal) Work Health and Safety documentation, or the draft "Model" version, or Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Northern Territory or Tasmanian Work Health and Safety documentation.

Likewise - OHS could relate to the International Standards default terminology of Occupational Health and Safety, or be referring to Victorian State Occupational Health and Safety documentation (or any other state/ territory obsolete documentation). OSH is an abbreviation for the Western Australian Occupational Safety and Health documentation.

The advice given in this article is uses WHS terminology to align information with the Model Work Health and Safety legislative framework within Australia. References to OHS or OH&S may be used in conjunction with International standards or interpretations (such as ISO45001 - 2018 - Occupational Health and Safety Management). OHS in the context of this article IS NOT referring to Victoria State Occupational Health and Safety documentation.

What is a WHS Management System?

A Work Health and Safety Management System (WHS Management System or WHSMS) is the same as an OH&S Management System as referenced in ISO45001 2018. I define a WHSMS as "Documented policies, procedures and instructions that establish a governance framework for Work Health and Safety legal compliance, hazard identification and risk reductions, consultation and continuous improvement within an organisation".

Depending upon the nature of the organisation, these policies, procedures and instructions may vary greatly in what they cover and to what detail, but the following MUST be included in order to meet the criteria of a WHS Management System (interpreted from ISO45001:2018):

1. Documents a clear commitment from Management (Officers) and/or employers (PCBU's) to meeting their obligations under the WHS Act and Regulations

2. Documents expectations of managers and supervisors in the workplace (preferably incorporating legal requirements from the Act/ Regulations)

3. Documents the expectations of workers in the workplace (preferably incorporating legal requirements from the Act/ Regulations)

4. May document the expectations/ obligations of visitors and clients to the workplace (preferred)

5. Incorporates the PDCA (Plan Do Check Act) cycle of problem solving and continuous improvement into the WHS framework

6. Documents the communication and consultation framework and/or process(es)

7. Ensures WHS Policies align with the Organisational Objectives and Strategies

8. Provides sufficient processes and guidance for identifying hazards, controlling WHS risks and capitalising on WHS opportunities

9. Provides sufficient processes and guidance to continually monitor and evaluation the performance of the WHS system to enable continual improvements

10. Integrates all aspects of safety management into all of the organisations business processes

11. Sets clear objectives that align with the WHS Policy and take into accounts the hazards, risks and opportunities associated with that specific organisation

12. It complies with all necessary legal requirements

13. It complies with all other requirements (for example - contractual obligations)

The complexity and number of documents associated with meeting these requirements can be influenced by a number of factors including (but not limited to) the size of the organisation, the scope of the WHS Management System within the organisation and the nature of the organisations activities and associated hazards and risks.