How to Get your WHS Standards up to Scratch in Any Business

When was the last time the work health and safety practices and policies of your business were reviewed?

It might be time for a check-up…

While some of us have a basic understanding of common work health and safety practices, some industry-specific regulations are only understood by area specialists. And by area specialists, we mean WHS specialists, not just professionals in that industry.

We all know that the policies and procedures we put in place to answer our WHS obligations serve an important purpose, and a pretty obvious one: protecting our health and safety in the workplace! But, we may not understand how and why certain rules function in this way, or even the risks present in an environment in the first place.

Without understanding these factors, it’s unlikely that your organisation is taking the appropriate measures to ensure you’re compliant with relevant WHS regulations. But how do you address this? It can feel like a bit of a minefield and an overwhelming task, particularly for those of us who aren’t WHS specialists. But, neglecting to address your WHS standards can have serious consequences for both you and your staff. As you may have seen in the news, a Brisbane company director was recently sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay a $1M fine after a WHS breach was found to be the cause of a workplace death. Other reports of widespread WHS failings have also made headlines this year.

So, for the sake of both you and your team, don’t ignore your Work Health and Safety obligations. Here’s what to do instead:

WHS Gap Analysis Audit

A WHS Gap Analysis Audit is a systematic examination of the WHS systems within your organisation. An audit like this will review your procedures, policies and compliance with applicable legislation and make an action plan to address any areas that need improvement.

Recovery Partners can conduct this WHS Gap Analysis Audit with you. Completing the audit will:

• Assist you in meeting your regulatory requirements
• Facilitate a systematic, measured and thorough approach to WHS system development and implementation
• Enable you to know the precise level of WHS compliance in your organisation
• Enable you to understand how to correct or improve any areas that need work
• Provide you with documented evidence of your continual improvement activities to submit to relevant authorities in your industry, if required.

So how does it work?

If you choose to engage Recovery Partners to complete a WHS Gap Analysis Audit, one of our experienced team members will travel to your business location to conduct the review.

The audit will include a detailed examination of documentation, on-site observation and interviews. We will supply the Audit Tool (in compliance with Australian Standards) and prepare a report of our findings and recommendations for improving your Work Health and Safety Management System. This comprehensive audit report will also include a compliance percentage, so you know exactly where you stand.

Sound good?

If you feel like a WHS Gap Analysis Audit with Recovery Partners is just what you need to get your WHS standards back to where they should be, get in touch! We’d be happy to help.

 You can contact us for a free quote, over-the-phone advice, or for us to put you in touch with one of our expert Safety Consultants.

1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au

TRAINING COURSE: Officers Due Diligence WHS Training

You might like to read: The WHS Responsibilities of a PCBU