Product Overview

This professionally developed Opening and Closing Procedure is a comprehensive work health and safety resource tailored for Australian retail and wholesale, hospitality and events, and pharmacy businesses. It provides step-by-step guidance for managing the higher-risk periods at the start and end of each trading day, when staffing is lower, security risks increase and critical safety checks must be completed correctly.

Designed by WHS specialists, this procedure helps you embed consistent, safe practices across all sites, shifts and teams. It supports WHS compliance obligations, reduces the likelihood of incidents and gives managers confidence that opening and closing tasks are being carried out safely and systematically.

Key Features

• Detailed, ready-to-use opening and closing procedures covering external checks, safe entry, alarms, security and lock-up.
• Industry-specific guidance for retail and wholesale, hospitality and events, and pharmacy, including food safety and controlled medicines considerations.
• Clear WHS roles and responsibilities for officers, managers, supervisors, workers and contractors.
• Practical checklists and template tables to standardise daily safety checks and sign-offs.
• Coverage of key risks such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling, robbery and aggression, fire, plant and equipment, and after-hours security.
• Alignment with Australian work health and safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

Benefits

• Strengthen WHS compliance: Demonstrate a systematic approach to managing risks during opening and closing, as required under WHS laws.
• Reduce incidents and claims: Proactive checks and controls help prevent common injuries and security breaches that occur at the start and end of shifts.
• Save time on safety documentation: Avoid creating procedures from scratch ?�? simply tailor the content and checklists to suit your sites and operations.
• Improve consistency across locations: Ensure all stores, venues or pharmacies follow the same high standard of safety practice, regardless of who is on duty.
• Support training and induction: Use the document as a core training tool for new staff, supervisors and contractors involved in opening and closing tasks.

Who is this for?

This Opening and Closing Procedure is ideal for:

• Retail and wholesale outlets, supermarkets, specialty stores and warehouses.
• Hospitality venues including caf??s, restaurants, bars, clubs and event spaces.
• Community and hospital pharmacies and other medicine-dispensing environments.
• Business owners, safety managers, HR and operations managers responsible for WHS compliance and staff safety.

Legislation & References

The procedure is structured to align with Australian work health and safety legislation and supporting guidance, including WHS Acts and Regulations, and relevant Safe Work Australia codes of practice. It reflects accepted risk management principles and good practice for opening and closing operations in retail, hospitality and pharmacy settings.

By implementing this Opening and Closing Procedure, your organisation can strengthen WHS compliance, demonstrate due diligence, and provide workers with clear, practical instructions that make opening and closing safer, more secure and more efficient.