Product Overview

Summary: This Workplace Health and Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing WHS risks across your organisation. It turns legal duties under Australian WHS laws into simple, repeatable steps that help you protect workers, demonstrate due diligence, and embed a strong safety culture in day‑to‑day operations.

This Workplace Health and Safety Safe Operating Procedure is a core, organisation-wide procedure that underpins how you manage safety in every part of your business. Rather than focusing on a single task or piece of equipment, it sets out the overarching WHS processes your people must follow – from hazard reporting and risk assessment through to consultation, training, incident management and continuous improvement. It translates complex WHS legislation and guidance into clear, practical instructions that workers and supervisors can actually use on the ground.

For Australian businesses, failing to manage WHS systematically can lead to serious injuries, regulatory enforcement, prosecution, and reputational damage. This SOP helps you close those gaps by defining consistent, auditable processes that demonstrate compliance with WHS duties for Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), officers and workers. It supports businesses of all sizes – from small contractors to multi-site organisations – to align their daily operations with WHS best practice, reduce incidents, and build a proactive safety culture rather than reacting after something goes wrong.

Key Benefits

• Ensure your organisation-wide WHS processes are clearly documented, consistent and aligned with Australian WHS legislation.
• Reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace incidents by formalising hazard identification, risk assessment and control procedures.
• Demonstrate due diligence by officers and PCBUs through a structured, auditable approach to managing health and safety.
• Standardise expectations for supervisors, managers and workers, improving accountability and safety culture across all sites.
• Streamline induction, training and communication by providing a single reference procedure for core WHS requirements.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners and Company Directors
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors and Team Leaders
• Operations Managers
• HR Managers
• Safety Coordinators
• Facilities and Office Managers
• Project Managers
• Return-to-Work Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls in office, warehouse and site environments
• Manual handling and ergonomic injuries from lifting, pushing and repetitive tasks
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances in routine work activities
• Psychosocial hazards including work-related stress, fatigue and bullying
• Plant and equipment-related risks such as entanglement, crush injuries and struck-by incidents
• Electrical hazards from unsafe equipment, leads and temporary setups
• Poor housekeeping leading to fire risk, blocked exits and obstructed walkways
• Inadequate emergency preparedness for fire, medical emergencies and evacuations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Due Diligence Obligations
• 4.0 WHS Planning and Risk Management Framework
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Process
• 6.0 Hierarchy of Control and Implementation of Risk Controls
• 7.0 Worker Consultation, Participation and Communication
• 8.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 9.0 Incident, Injury, Near Miss and Hazard Reporting Procedure
• 10.0 Incident Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 11.0 Management of Contractors and Visitors
• 12.0 Work Environment, Housekeeping and Welfare Facilities
• 13.0 Psychosocial Risk Management and Support
• 14.0 Emergency Preparedness, Response and Evacuation
• 15.0 Monitoring, Inspections, Audits and Performance Review
• 16.0 Records Management and Document Control
• 17.0 Continuous Improvement and Management Review
• 18.0 References, Related Documents and Legislation

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act (as implemented in relevant Australian jurisdictions)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (as implemented in relevant Australian jurisdictions)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work: Code of Practice (or equivalent jurisdictional guidance)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use