WHS Risk Management

WHS Risk Management Overview

What is Work Health and Safety Risk Management?

WHS risk management is the systematic process of identifying hazards, assessing the risks associated with those hazards, instituting control measures that will minimise or eliminate the risks, and reviewing the control measures periodically to reaffirm they are effective. (Note this is different from business risk management such as financial and intellectual property risk.)

The WHS Regulation 2017 states that it is the duty of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to manage risks in the workplace.

A business (PCBU) must identify reasonably foreseeable hazards and must

(a) eliminate risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and

(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health and safety—minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

Directors of the business must ensure that this legal requirement translates into real-world actions and measures that exist and are known and followed in the workplace. Directors may be personally liable for a breach.

Supervisors and managers must ensure staff follow the protocols and controls in place for risks that have been managed. These may include proper manual handling techniques, handling chemicals, using machinery and tools correctly, and wearing of appropriate PPE.

In NSW as of 2022, psychosocial hazards and risks are to be managed in the same way as hazards and risks which may cause physical harm.

Information, Training, and Instruction

Clause 39 of the WHS Regulation 2017 requires that a PCBU must provide information, training and instruction for workers (this includes supervisors, managers, and team leaders) which is suitable and adequate having regard to:

the nature of the work that they do
the nature of the risks associated with the work they do, and
the control measures

When risks have been managed, it is enforceable that workers follow any and all controls that have been put in place if the risk or hazard was not able to be eliminated entirely. Every worker has this duty to themselves and to others whom they work or interact with while at work.

Courses in WHS Risk Management

We have a number of different training courses in WHS risk management and WHS risk assessment which may help directors, executives, managers, supervisors, and workers to do their part in the continued success of the workplace WHS management system iin your workplace.

Management of WHS Risks course

This is an ideal course for managers, as supervisors and managers must be able to supervise workers correctly and ensure that they themselves as well as workers follow the risk controls in the workplace. Therefore this training maybe useful for all persons in the workplace from the top down. This course is available as a public venue course or delivered on site at your work premises.

WHS Risk Management for Managers and Supervisors

This course covers the actions that supervisors and managers take in the workplace to help reinforce the successful operation of the WHS management system and to ensure that workplace risks or hazards are identified with immediate measures taken to minimize risks ahead of full assessment and management actions. This course is delivered on site at your work premises.

WHS Risks management - Construction Industry

This is an ideal course for supervisors and managers who are managing construction projects and sites. must be able to supervise workers correctly and ensure that they themselves as well as workers follow the risk controls in the workplace. Therefore this training maybe useful for all persons in the workplace from the top down. This course is delivered on site at your work premises.

Specialised WHS Risk Assessment Course

This is a practical program with minimal theory suitable for operational staff. It is assumed that persons attending understand WHS basics and are familiar with the Hierarchy of Control measures, but a refresher on these basics will be done if requested. Persons participating in this program use the risk assessment tools of their business to assess and manage real-world hazards and risks in the workplace and have the facilitator at their disposal for any questions or assistance. This course is delivered on site at your work premises.

Psychosocial Risk Management

This course deals with the management of psychosocial hazards and risks which were included in the WHS Regulation in 2022. The amendments require a PCBU to manage non-physical workplace risks and hazards in the same way as any other physical risks and hazards. This course covers the new legal requirements and explores the different types of psychosocial hazards and risks, some of which were previously covered under the Fair Work Act 2009 and administered by the Fair Work Commission. This course is available as a public venue course or delivered on site at your work premises.

Warehouse Safety (half day or whole day)

Warehouse safety training is designed to educate employees about the best practices for maintaining a safe working environment in warehouses. It covers various topics, including proper picking and packing techniques, equipment operation, pedestrian safety, and hazard recognition. This training helps workers understand the risks associated with their tasks, giving them the knowledge they need to prevent accidents and protect their own safety as well as that of their co-workers.This course is delivered on site at your work premises.

Hazardous Manual Tasks Risk Management Course

Clause 60 of the WHS Regulation 2017 states the actions a PCBU must take to identify, assess, and control or eliminate risks associated with hazardous manual tasks including manual handling and other activities that may cause musculoskeletal injuries. Included in this course are practical exercises on how to perform hazardous manual tasks correctly. This course is delivered on site at your work premises.

Risk Management of Hazardous Chemicals

This risk management course is suitable to train your managers and supervisors the management of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Managers and supervisors must ensure that staff know and apply the correct protocols and signage in handling or storing hazardous substances or dangerous goods. This course is delivered on site at your work premises.