If you are setting up a new safety system or refreshing what you have, seeing a clear example of work health and safety (WHS) policy makes the job much easier. Your policy sets the tone for how people work, lead and care for each other. It is the anchor that links safety with wellbeing and performance.
In this guide we share an example of WHS policy you can adapt, show WHS policy examples for various industries, and outline simple steps to turn words into action. You will also find links to trusted Australian guidance and tools.
What is A WHS Policy?
A WHS policy is a short statement from your organisation that commits to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of workers and others. It explains responsibilities, outlines how risks are managed, and points to the system that supports it. In Australia, the policy should align with the Model WHS Laws and the duty to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Why it Matters
A clear policy helps leaders and teams make better decisions under pressure. It creates consistency across sites, shifts and roles. It also signals that wellbeing is part of doing quality work, not a nice to have. Safe Work Australia highlights employer duties to consult, manage risks and monitor health as part of a continuous process. See the Model Code of Practice on How To Manage Work Health And Safety Risks for the evidence informed steps that sit behind a strong policy.
WHS today also includes psychosocial hazards like high job demands, low control or poor support. Addressing these factors reduces stress related harm and lifts performance. Learn more from Safe Work Australia’s guidance on Psychosocial Hazards.
Common Barriers
- Time pressure: Competing priorities make policy writing feel like extra work.
- Unclear ownership: Leaders and HSE teams are not sure who does what.
- Copy paste risk: Policies are borrowed but do not fit the real hazards.
- Low engagement: Staff do not see how the policy changes day to day work.
The good news is you can start small and build. A clear one page policy with concrete next steps beats a long document no one reads.
An Example Of WHS Policy You Can Adapt
Use this example of WHS policy as a starting point. Replace placeholders with your details and ensure it reflects your risks and consultation approach.
Title
[Company Name] Work Health And Safety Policy
Purpose
At [Company Name] we commit to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for workers, contractors, visitors and the community. We integrate safety and wellbeing into how we plan, lead and deliver work so people can perform at their best.
Our Commitments
- Meet or exceed all applicable WHS laws, standards and codes of practice.
- Eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable using a risk management approach.
- Identify, assess and control physical and psychosocial hazards including job demands, fatigue and violence and aggression.
- Consult with workers on matters that affect their health and safety and encourage reporting and learning.
- Provide safe systems of work, information, training, instruction and supervision.
- Monitor health and workplace conditions and review performance for continuous improvement.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Officers: Exercise due diligence to ensure the business meets its duties by providing resources, verifying processes and promoting a positive safety culture.
- Managers And Leaders: Implement this policy, set clear expectations, address hazards, and support safe work behaviours.
- Workers: Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, follow instructions, use equipment properly and report hazards and incidents.
- HSE Team: Provide guidance, tools, training and assurance to support effective risk management.
How We Manage Risks
- Plan: Identify hazards through consultation, inspections and data review.
- Do: Apply controls using the hierarchy of control and integrate into procedures.
- Check: Monitor through observations, audits, health checks and lead indicators.
- Act: Review incidents and near misses, share learnings and improve controls.
Wellbeing And Mental Health
We design work to support mental health by managing workload, role clarity and recovery. We provide access to support services and encourage early help seeking.
Consultation And Reporting
We consult with Health And Safety Representatives and committees on changes that may affect health and safety. Hazards, incidents and improvement ideas can be reported via [system or contact].
Review
This policy is reviewed at least annually or after any significant change or incident.
Signed
[Name], [Title], [Date]
WHS Policy Examples For Various Industries
Every policy should reflect specific risks. Below are concise examples of how to tailor the commitments and focus areas.
Construction And Trades
- High risk work permits, contractor management and daily pre start checks.
- Controls for working at heights, traffic management and plant isolation.
- Fatigue management for long shifts and hot weather planning.
- Consultation through toolbox talks and subcontractor coordination.
Healthcare And Aged Care
- Manual handling and patient handling training and equipment provision.
- Infection prevention and control and immunisation programs.
- Prevention of occupational violence and aggression and de escalation training.
- Psychological safety and critical incident support for staff.
Office And Professional Services
- Ergonomics and remote work safety including workstation setup and movement breaks.
- Work design to manage job demands, deadlines and after hours contact.
- Indoor air quality and emergency readiness for multi tenant sites.
- Mental health support and respectful workplace practices.
Warehousing And Logistics
- Traffic and pedestrian separation and forklift and mobile plant controls.
- Manual handling risk reduction and mechanical aids.
- Fatigue and shift work management and hydration in hot conditions.
- Chain of responsibility awareness for scheduling and loading.
Hospitality And Retail
- Slips trips falls prevention and housekeeping standards.
- Knife and equipment safety and burn and scald prevention.
- Customer aggression procedures and lone work controls.
- Young worker training and supervision.
For leaders keen to embed the people side of safety, explore building trust and psychological safety with our articles on Psychological Safety and Building Psychological Safety As A Leader. See a practical safety success story in our Turosi Health And Safety Case Study.
How To Build And Roll Out Your WHS Policy
Step 1: Commit In Writing And Align To Law
Use the example of WHS policy above and align it with the Model WHS Laws and Codes. Keep it clear and readable and ideally one page.
Step 2: Consult Early And Often
Engage workers, HSRs and contractors to capture real risks and workable controls. This improves accuracy and buy in.
Step 3: Map Your Risks And Controls
List your top ten hazards by role and environment. Link each to clear procedures, training and verification. Use the steps in the Model Code Of Practice.
Step 4: Make The Policy Visible And Useful
Publish it on the intranet, induction packs and on site. Embed it into performance goals and contractor onboarding. Reference it in toolbox talks and team meetings.
Step 5: Measure What Matters
Track lead indicators like hazard reports, training completion, corrective action closure and worker feedback. Pair with lag indicators like injuries to see trends. For ideas on meaningful metrics read our note on Measuring Wellbeing Programs.
Step 6: Address Psychosocial Risks
Include job demands, role clarity, support and recovery. Use regular check ins and workload planning. Our article on Right To Disconnect shows how boundaries support health and performance.
Step 7: Build Skills For Leaders
Train managers in active listening, recognition and early intervention. See our guidance on Active Listening and Supporting Leadership Wellbeing.
What Can Employers Do?
- Set clear ownership: Assign an executive sponsor and a policy owner to drive updates and reporting.
- Resource the system: Fund training, risk assessments and controls so the policy is not just words.
- Make it practical: Link the policy to simple role specific checklists and start of shift routines.
- Strengthen culture: Recognise safe choices and make it easy to speak up without fear.
- Show ROI: Track reduced incidents, lower claims, better engagement and productivity.
- Partner well: Use expert support to design work that protects health and lifts performance.
If you need a partner to bring your policy to life, Better Being can help with leadership training, psychosocial risk programs and wellbeing activation across sites and roles. If you are ready for support, get in touch.
Key Takeaways
- A clear example of WHS policy helps you move fast and stay aligned with Australian law.
- Tailor the policy to your real risks by industry and role and consult your people.
- Psychosocial risks are part of WHS and addressing them improves safety and performance.
- Make the policy visible, measurable and connected to daily work.
- Leaders set the tone and resources turn intent into outcomes.
- Use trusted guidance and simple metrics to track progress and ROI.
Ready to turn this example of WHS policy into action with training, tools and measurable results? Get in touch with Better Being.
