Workplace Health and Safety Policy
Your organisation should be committed to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of all people who interact with you and complying with your occupational health and safety obligations.
The purpose of this policy is to, as far as reasonably practicable:
- prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
- promote a safe and healthy workplace culture
- provide a framework for consulting, collaborating and communicating with workers and health and safety representatives
- consider workplace health and safety in project planning and work activities
- allocate adequate resources to prevent health and safety risks and promote a safe and healthy workplace
- ensure that workers understand their rights and responsibilities, and can identify and control risks in the workplace g. drive continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.
Download a copy of this Workplace Health and Safety Policy and edit to suit your organisation's needs.
Last updated September 2021
Terms of Use: This policy is free for any not-for-profit organisation to download and use, so long as it is for a non-commercial purpose and that the organisation is not paying a consultant to carry out this work. Click here for our full copyright guidelines. Please note that this is a template policy for guidance purposes only.
Please note: This policy has been drafted for the risk level generally associated with office work.
Why would someone need a Workplace Health and Safety Policy?
Purpose of this policy
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy helps an organisation meet its obligation to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all people who interact with it — including employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors. It outlines the organisation’s commitment to providing a workplace that is safe and without risks to physical or mental health, as far as reasonably practicable.
The policy provides a framework for:
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Preventing workplace injuries and illnesses
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Promoting a safe and healthy workplace culture
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Consulting and collaborating with workers on safety matters
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Embedding safety considerations into everyday operations and project planning
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Ensuring continuous improvement in health and safety practices
Having this policy in place ensures that everyone in the organisation — from board members to frontline workers — understands their rights, responsibilities, and the systems that protect them.
Why it matters
Workplace health and safety is more than a legal requirement — it is a fundamental expression of care and respect for people. A clear and up-to-date policy helps an organisation:
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Comply with all relevant laws, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and related workers’ compensation legislation
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Manage risks systematically, reducing the likelihood and cost of accidents or illness
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Build a culture of trust, accountability and wellbeing
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Attract and retain staff by demonstrating a genuine commitment to their safety
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Protect the organisation’s reputation by operating ethically and responsibly
Who this policy applies to
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, consultants and volunteers — whether they work on-site, off-site, or in virtual environments. It also extends to visitors and third-party partners who interact with the organisation.
What a good Workplace Health and Safety Policy includes
A strong policy will:
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Define roles and responsibilities for all staff and leaders
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Describe how safety issues are reported, investigated and resolved
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Outline emergency and first aid procedures
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Explain how the organisation monitors compliance and reviews performance
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Link to related policies such as the Risk Management, Bullying, and Anti-Discrimination policies
Beyond compliance
Best-practice organisations go beyond minimum legal standards by fostering a positive and supportive safety culture. This might include offering access to counselling, providing mental health days, or promoting wellbeing through training and resources. A proactive approach to health and safety helps an organisation move from compliance to excellence.
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