Product Overview

Summary: This Risk Assessment Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable method for identifying, assessing and controlling hazards in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations demonstrate due diligence under WHS law, reduce incident rates, and embed risk-based thinking into everyday operations.

This Risk Assessment Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, easy-to-follow process for assessing and controlling risks across any Australian workplace. It translates WHS legislative requirements into practical steps your people can follow, from planning a task or project through to reviewing controls after the work is done. The SOP covers hazard identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, and the selection and implementation of controls using the hierarchy of control, ensuring decisions are documented and defensible.

For businesses, inconsistent or ad‑hoc risk assessments can lead to missed hazards, poor-quality controls, and exposure to regulatory enforcement after an incident. This procedure solves those problems by standardising how risk is assessed across sites, shifts and teams. It supports better consultation with workers, improves the quality of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and provides a clear audit trail that WorkSafe inspectors and insurers expect to see. Whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, local government or professional services, this SOP helps embed a proactive, risk-based safety culture and reduces the likelihood and severity of injuries, property damage and business disruption.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, defensible approach to risk assessment across all sites and work activities.
• Reduce the likelihood and severity of incidents by systematically identifying and controlling hazards before work starts.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with WHS legislation, Australian Standards and regulator expectations.
• Streamline the development of SWMS, JSAs and task-specific procedures using a common risk framework.
• Improve worker consultation and engagement by providing a clear, step-by-step assessment process everyone can follow.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners and PCBU Representatives
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Advisors
• Site Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Project Managers
• Team Leaders
• HSE Consultants
• Safety Committee Members
• HR and Training Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls on the same level and from heights
• Hazardous manual tasks and musculoskeletal disorders
• Plant and machinery hazards including entanglement, crush and struck-by risks
• Electrical hazards including shock, arc flash and contact with overhead or underground services
• Hazardous chemicals, fumes, dusts and airborne contaminants
• Psychosocial hazards such as work-related stress, fatigue and occupational violence
• Noise and vibration exposure
• Confined space entry risks including atmospheric and engulfment hazards
• Traffic management risks involving mobile plant and vehicles
• Fire, explosion and other catastrophic event risks

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Risk, Hazard, Likelihood, Consequence, Residual Risk)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 When a Risk Assessment is Required
• 5.0 Risk Assessment Methodology and Risk Matrix
• 6.0 Step-by-Step Risk Assessment Process
• 7.0 Applying the Hierarchy of Control
• 8.0 Documentation, Record Keeping and Version Control
• 9.0 Communication, Consultation and Worker Participation
• 10.0 Review, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement of Controls
• 11.0 Integration with SWMS, JSAs and Other WHS Procedures
• 12.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 13.0 Example Risk Assessment Form and Completed Sample
• 14.0 References to Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents) – Part 3.1: Managing risks to health and safety
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use