WHS Policy Development: Implementation Requirements and Factors

This assignment solution discusses the general requirements for creating a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) policy, emphasizing positive mindsets, clear goals, defined scope, and well-defined procedures and responsibilities. It addresses key questions to ensure organizational requirements are met, focusing on hazard identification, monitoring, employee consultation, risk management, and compliance. The solution identifies internal and external factors influencing policy development and review, such as knowledge, political and economic factors, legal frameworks, and public opinion. It also provides examples of barriers to WHSMS implementation, including staff resistance and cost concerns, along with strategies to overcome them, such as training, incentives, and simplified systems. Furthermore, it highlights WHS requirements related to workplace space, electrical equipment safety, plant placement, hazardous waste disposal, privacy, and jurisdictional compliance. The assignment emphasizes minimizing workplace injuries through continuous evaluation, compliance, and the development of robust safety policies and procedures, as well as the importance of government standards and the advantages of WHSMS certification.

1. List some general requirement when creating a policy?
The general requirements for creating a WHS policy is people with positive mind set. The
purpose of the policy that explains the goals of the policy. The scope of the policy which tells
that for whom the policy pertains that depends upon the size of the organization. The statement
that the policy wants to communicate. The procedures and responsibility that states who will do
what, and who will perform which task. There are various terms in policy that needs to be
defined or stated clearly. While creating a policy the policy maker should check any previously
implemented policy or any exception to it.
2. When creating a WHS policy which questions should be asked to ensure organizational
requirements and appropriateness has been met?
1. WHS program is introduced and maintained to ensure that all workplace hazards are
identified.
2. The WHS program is monitored and reviewed to take account of changing conditions and
circumstances at the workplace.
3. Employees and their representatives are consulted on WHS issues relevant to them.
4. All relevant documentation relating to WHS issues is made available to employees and
their representatives.
5. All work systems, plant and substances are subjected to testing and comprehensive risk
management processes prior to their introduction.
6. All necessary registration, certification and licensing requirements are complied with.
7. All necessary inspections, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, modifications and
housekeeping are undertaken in a timely manner.
3. List both the internal and external factors which can affect the development and review of
a policy?
The factors that influence the development and review of a policy are knowledge and
innovation by creating awareness of new opportunities. Political, social and economical
factors will impact the development and review of a policy. The legal framework, the
specific laws related to the workplace health and safety. External factors like donors,
international agreements and treaties, media and events. Public opinion can be one of the
major influencing factors in the way of developing the policy. The technological changes
can have an impact on the review system of policies.
4. Give examples of barriers to WHSMS implementation and strategies to overcome them.
Barriers can be Staff ignoring health and safety, costs of safety implementation, avoiding
responsibility, not consulting personnel, over complicated system, infrastructure, training, and
attitude. Train the staff explaining them the reasons for the system in place and justify it;
incentives and rewards to the staff for participating in training; planning the system for the long
haul to contain the costs; consult the staff and involve them in the system; make the system

simple and linear, don't overcomplicate things. Define problem and define target, develop
leadership to overcome these barriers.
7. The requirements for WHS are that the work place proper space should be there as confine space are
not required. Electrical equipment should be kept with higher safety security. The installation of
electrical equipment should be at place where it is required. Plant in factory required to be kept away
from other plant with maintaining proper distance. Hazardous and chemical required to be disposed of
with safety and security of nature. The privacy is to be maintained by the business to operate its
transitional agreement. Jurisdiction is required to be maintained as to follow the pre harmonized law.
8. The work structure of WHS safety is to minimize injuries at work place and avoid them to be happen
in future at work place. The structure describes that it should be continuously evaluated and improved
so that the work place should be safer for the employees. The work place must ensure compliances. The
key element in managing safety at work place are developing proper policy and procedure for the safety
of employees, continuous monitoring for implementation of the policy formulated by the organization.
Training should be given to employees to maintain their own safety at hazardous place.
9. The requirement that is needed according to government is continually improvement of health and
safety of all stakeholders. Improving planning and reducing the accidents at work place. The standards
that are required to be fulfilled is to provide safer work place for employees to reduce safety risks.
Fewer accidents will reduce the cost on unintentionally accidents which will help to increases the
productivity of the organization. The types of advantages that certification can give according to the
guidelines of WHSMS are construction, demolition, civil construction, etc. The process works by meeting
all the standards and determinations that business is required to be fulfilled. Next is analyzing of gape at
workplace from to-do list to commencing of business. Certification is done in last step.