Workplace Health And Safety Policies

Workplace health and safety policies are frequently written to sound committed and then create obligations the organisation does not meet. Four clauses cause most of that.

Absolute wording. We will ensure a safe workplace. The duty is qualified by what is reasonably practicable, and an unqualified promise sets a higher bar than the law does.

Stated timeframes. All hazards will be rectified within 48 hours. Measurable, and rarely true.

Named roles. Which change, leaving a policy referring to a position nobody holds.

Review commitments. Reviewed annually, where the last version is dated four years ago and is on the intranet for anyone to find.

Read a draft policy as a list of things you will be measured against rather than as guidance, and these four become obvious immediately.

Safe Work Australia publishes the model laws. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s workplace policy templates and policy management software.