Workplace Health & Safety by Altius

Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) – or Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) – is all about keeping your workplace safe for everyone. And by everyone, we mean everyone: your team, customers, visitors, and even suppliers. It’s your legal responsibility to manage risks and create an environment where people can work without getting hurt or sick.  

WHS goes beyond compliance to avoid fines, though ignoring it can lead to prosecution and hefty penalties. It’s about creating a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and supported. When you prioritise WHS, you’re protecting your team, boosting productivity, retaining your top talent, and saving money on injuries and workers’ compensation claims.  

Sure, implementing WHS practices might take some time and investment – think safety equipment, training, and risk assessments. But compare that to the cost of not acting: lost staff, legal headaches, premium increases, and a hit to your reputation.  

At Altius, we’re here to help you make WHS simple, effective, and tailored to your business. Because a safe workplace isn’t just good for your people – it’s good for your bottom line. 

At Altius, we know Aussie employers want to keep their teams safe, healthy, and thriving. A top-notch Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) program is about creating a system that works. Here’s the lowdown on what makes a WHS program truly comprehensive: 

1. Policies & Procedures: These are your foundation. Well-designed policies help you comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and keep your team safe.  
2. Continuous Improvement: A great WHS system is always evolving. It uses feedback, learns from incidents, and adapts to new risks. Think of it as a living system, not a dusty manual on a shelf. 
3. Integration: Your WHS system shouldn’t sit in isolation. It needs to mesh with your other management systems, like HR or operations, to ensure safety is part of everything you do. 
4. Informed Decision-Making: Data is your best mate. Use it to spot trends, predict risks, and make smarter safety decisions. 
5. Strong Safety Culture: A systems-based approach builds a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility. It shows your team you care and demonstrates due diligence. 

At Altius, we help you build a WHS program that’s both compliant and genuinely effective, ensuring your workplace is safe, productive, and thriving. Because protecting your people isn’t just good business – it’s the right thing to do.  

In Australia, workplace health and safety (WHS) is a shared responsibility under the model WHS laws. Here’s the breakdown: 

1. PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) 
   If you’re an employer, business owner, or running an organisation (profit or non-profit), you’re likely a PCBU. Your primary duty is to ensure the health and safety of workers and anyone else affected by your work. This includes providing safe systems, equipment, and training. Examples of PCBUs include retailers, manufacturers, self-employed individuals, government agencies, and even volunteer associations with paid staff. 
2. Officers 
   Officers, like CEOs, business owners, or decision-makers, have a direct legal duty to exercise due diligence. This means actively ensuring the business complies with WHS laws. For small businesses, this often falls on the owner. Fail to act, and you could face personal prosecution. 
3. Workers 
   Workers—whether employees, contractors, apprentices, or even volunteers—must take reasonable care of their own safety and others around them. They’re also required to follow WHS policies, procedures, and instructions from the PCBU. Ignoring these duties can lead to legal consequences. 
4. Others in the Workplace 
   Visitors, customers, or anyone at the workplace must also take reasonable care for their safety and others’, and follow WHS instructions. 

In short, everyone has a role to play. PCBUs and officers lead the charge, but workers and visitors must also do their part. At Altius, we help businesses like yours meet these responsibilities with tailored Workplace Wellbeing Programs. Because a safe workplace isn’t just a legal duty—it’s good for everyone. 

In Australia, you don’t have to appoint a Work Health and Safety (WHS) officer. But here’s the catch: if you’re the owner or operator of a business and you call the shots on big decisions—like finances or operations—you might be considered an “officer” under WHS laws. And that comes with responsibilities. 

Ask yourself: 

• Are you running a business? 

• Do you make major decisions that impact your business? 

• Can you influence your business’s financial standing or a significant part of the business? 

If you answered yes, you’re likely an officer. That means you’ve got a duty to take a proactive approach to workplace health and safety. You need to ensure your business has safe work systems in place and actively monitor WHS practices to protect your team from harm. 

Still unsure if you’re an officer? Connect with our WHS team to clarify your responsibilities. At Altius, we’re here to help you navigate WHS with confidence—because a safe workplace is a thriving workplace. 

Workplace health and safety (WHS) is a powerful tool for building a thriving, productive, and loyal team—and it’s also a legal must-have. Here’s why it matters: 

1. Protect your people.
   WHS safeguards everyone—your team, customers, contractors, and even you. It’s about creating a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and supported.
2. Reduce risk and costs.
   Injuries and illnesses don’t just hurt your team—they hurt your bottom line. WHS helps you dodge costly workers’ compensation claims, fines, and lost productivity.
3. Boost productivity.
   Happy, healthy employees work better. It’s that simple. When your team feels safe, they’re more focused, engaged, and ready to crush their goals.
4. Stay on the right side of the law.
   WHS isn’t optional—it’s the law. Australian businesses must have policies and procedures in place to meet legal requirements. Skip this, and you’re risking hefty fines or worse.
5. Tackle psychosocial hazards.
   Stress, bullying, and unclear job roles can wreak havoc on mental health—and recovery from psychological injuries takes longer and costs more than physical ones. WHS helps you spot and fix these hazards before they escalate.

Yes, implementing WHS takes time and resources. But the cost of not doing it? Prosecution, fines, and losing your best people. 

Workplace health and safety training is a powerful investment that transforms your team and your business for the better. Here’s why: 

First, it slashes risks. Fewer hazards mean fewer incidents, injuries, and fatalities. And let’s be real – a safer workplace is a happier workplace. When your team feels safe, morale soars, productivity spikes, and staff turnover drops. Plus, fewer absences mean fewer disruptions to your operations. 

But the benefits go deeper. Good work is good for health – both mental and physical. Training empowers your team to spot and manage risks, reducing workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims. This means lower premiums, faster return-to-work rates, and a healthier bottom line for you. 

For your employees, it’s a win-win. They gain skills, confidence, and job satisfaction, which boosts performance and resilience. A safe workplace also fosters social inclusion and participation, making your business a place people want to stay. 

And let’s not forget your reputation. Prioritising safety shows customers, investors, and the community that you care. It’s about going beyond compliance to build a thriving culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to succeed. 

Under Australian WHS laws, you’re legally required to protect your workers and anyone else who might be affected by your business operations. Here’s what that means in plain terms: 

1. Keep your people safe. You must ensure the health and safety of your workers and avoid putting others at risk. 
2. Create a safe environment. This includes providing safe machinery, structures, and ways of working, as well as ensuring proper use, handling, and storage of equipment and substances. 
3. Tackle risks head-on. Eliminate or minimise risks, including psychosocial hazards like stress or bullying. 
4. Equip your team. Provide the necessary training, information, and supervision to keep everyone safe. 
5. Stay on top of things. Monitor workplace conditions and your workers’ health. 
6. Cover your team. Workers’ compensation laws require you to have insurance for your employees. 

In short, WHS is about creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. At Altius, we’re here to help you meet these obligations with practical, tailored WHS Programs. Connect with our WHS experts. 

Implementing workplace safety policies is about creating a culture where safety truly matters. But let’s be real, it’s not always smooth sailing. Here are the top hurdles Aussie businesses face: 

1. Lack of Employee Involvement. If your team doesn’t feel safety is their responsibility, they won’t engage. Safety is everyone’s job. 
2. Resistance to Change. Old habits die hard. Whether it’s “we’ve always done it this way” or fear of the unknown, shifting mindsets can feel like pushing a boulder uphill. 
3. Poor Communication. If your safety message isn’t clear, consistent, or relatable, it’s like shouting into the void. Workers need to get it—not just hear it. 
4. Insufficient Risk Assessment. Missing risks is like driving blindfolded. Without proper assessment, hazards slip through the cracks, putting everyone at risk. 
5. Inadequate Resources. Skimping on safety tools, training, or time? That’s a recipe for disaster. Safety needs investment—not just lip service. 
6. Lack of Staff Awareness. If your team doesn’t know the risks or how to handle them, accidents are inevitable. Awareness is the first step to prevention. 

Other issues like bullying, fatigue, slips, and fire threats add to the mix. Building a strong safety culture starts with leadership. Without management support, proper training, and ongoing monitoring, even the best policies fall flat. 

At Altius, we help you tackle these challenges head-on. Because safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a mindset. Reach out to our experts if you need support making WHS policies stick.