As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for every member of your team. At the end of the day, every employee deserves to feel safe, supported, and protected at work. This may sound like a huge undertaking, but the good news is you don’t have to do it alone - this is where WHS consultants come in.
These experts are the backbone of workplace health and safety, ensuring that your organisation not only meets safety standards but also creates a positive culture. Come along as we explore the vital roles of WHS consultants and the significant benefits they bring to organisations just like yours. Curious about how they can transform your workplace? Keep reading to find out.
What is the role of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) consultants in workplaces?
In a nutshell, WHS consultants are specialists who assist organisations in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment. They play a critical role across many industries by providing sound guidance tailored to your specific workplace needs.
The primary responsibilities of a WHS consultant include:
- Ensuring compliance by staying up-to-date with the latest laws and standards, helping your business avoid legal issues and potential fines
- Identifying and assessing risks by conducting thorough inspections to pinpoint potential hazards
- Mitigating risks by developing and implementing strategies to reduce workplace hazards
- Recommending changes to workplace procedures, introducing new safety measures, or providing training to your employees
- Evaluating workplace processes and environments to identify areas that could pose risks to your team
- Promoting a culture of safety by educating your employees on best practices and encouraging proactive safety measures, fostering an environment where safety is a shared priority.
Safeguarding Australia: The crucial role of understanding state and territory-specific WHS legislation
Navigating workplace health and safety (WHS) laws in Australia requires understanding the specific regulations in each state and territory. Here's a brief overview of each region:
New South Wales
Governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, SafeWork NSW oversees compliance in New South Wales.
Victoria
Victoria follows the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, administered by WorkSafe Victoria.
Queensland
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011, recently amended by the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, is administered by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Western Australia
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, WorkSafe WA regulates safety measures in Western Australia.
South Australia
In South Australia, SafeWork SA enforces the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
Tasmania
Following the Work Health and Safety Act 2012, WorkSafe Tasmania highlights the importance of a safety culture in Tasmania.
Northern Territory
The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 is in place in the Northern Territory, with NT WorkSafe as the regulatory body.
Australian Capital Territory
Governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, this legislation is enforced by WorkSafe ACT.
If the idea of this makes your head spin, you’re not alone. These regulations can be complex, but your WHS consultant will be well-versed in state and territory-specific legislation, ensuring compliance and a safe working environment.
Safe spaces: Navigating physical and psychosocial risks for enhanced workplace safety
When you think about WHS, physical risk factors such as unsafe equipment, poor ergonomics, slips, trips, falls, and exposure to harmful substances may come to mind.
However, addressing psychosocial factors is also an essential aspect of providing a safe and healthy workplace for your team. These factors significantly impact your employees’ physical and mental wellbeing and include things like stress, job demands, lack of support, and work-life balance.
Much like with the physical factors, ignoring psychosocial risks can lead to increased absences, decreased productivity, and higher turnover rates, all of which would negatively impact your overall organisational performance.
WHS consultants take a holistic approach to safety and play a pivotal role in:
- Identifying physical hazards, emotional stressors and potential psychological hazards in the workplace
- Developing policies and procedures that promote physical and mental wellbeing
- Conducting thorough safety audits and risk assessments
- Providing training and resources to educate employees on safe practices
- Ensuring compliance with current WHS legislation and regulations
- Fostering open communication and support systems to address concerns
Taking a proactive approach to physical and mental health by recognising and addressing risks can lead to a more engaged, resilient, and productive workforce.
Altius Group steps in to offer tailored solutions
At Altius Group, we understand that no two businesses are exactly the same. We proudly deliver unique solutions to small and large businesses nationwide, to keep their employees safe.
Our WHS consultants are experts in state-specific legislation and provide comprehensive support across all areas of workplace safety. From addressing specific issues to managing your entire WHS operations end-to-end, we will show you how to foster a safe and compliant working environment.
Bridging the gaps: How gap analysis elevates workplace safety
Given the rapid changes in workforce dynamics, it's important to regularly check for any gaps between your workplace health and safety management system and the current legislation.
At Altius Group, our WHS consultants conduct health and safety audits and gap analysis to ensure your business is compliant and minimise the risk of employee injury and illness from workplace operations.
Whether you require a simple compliance check via an online appointment or a fully comprehensive on-site review to identify, we are on hand to ensure:
- Any gaps in WHS compliance are not overlooked, reducing risks to employees and the likelihood of prosecution and fines
- Your safety management system is evolving and continually improving through feedback
- Reports are integrated with other management systems to provide a holistic view
- More informed decision-making, strong corporate culture, and a demonstrated sense of due diligence
- Peace of mind that your workplace complies with WHS legislation and regulations.
By conducting a thorough gap analysis, our WHS consultants help elevate your workplace safety, ensuring that all potential hazards are identified and managed effectively.
Bouncing back with smooth return-to-work transitions
Return-to-work transitions are a critical component of the WHS framework that simplifies the workers’ compensation process for employers and ensures employees gain access to professional support immediately following an incident.
From the moment a workplace injury occurs, our Return to Work (RTW) program is designed to handle the entire process from start to finish. This ensures a safe and effective return to work with improved health outcomes and reduced costs.
At Altius Group, our WHS consultants’ approach involves:
- Triaging the incident, providing notification, treatment recommendations, and compliance requirements
- Notifying relevant regulators and handling the submission of claims
- Liaising with all stakeholders to develop recovery and return-to-work plans
- Providing the support and advice needed to remove stress and simplify the process
- Reducing strain on internal resources
- Saving money on recruitment, onboarding, and skills development costs associated with an internal RTW coordinator
- Saving time, allowing you to focus on your business and clients
- Providing end-to-end support from incident notification through to employee recovery
- Improving return-to-work outcomes and timeframes, which helps minimise workers’ compensation premiums
By partnering with Altius Group, you ensure a smoother transition for your employees returning to work, benefiting both your team and your bottom line.
FAQs about WHS consultants
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about hiring a WHS consultant.
What does a WHS consultant do?
A WHS consultant’s duties typically include:
- Identifying potential hazards and assessing risks in the workplace
- Creating and implementing policies and procedures to mitigate identified risks
- Providing education and training on safety practices and compliance requirements
- Auditing and compliance checks to ensure adherence to legislation and standards
- Determining causes of workplace incidents and preventing future occurrences
- Offering guidance on industry standards to maintain a safe work environment
Why would you consult with a WHS expert?
Consulting with a WHS expert is beneficial for several reasons
- Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and standards
- Identifying and mitigating workplace risks
- Reducing costs associated with injuries and fines
- Enhancing staff morale and productivity through a safer work environment
- Providing tailored safety solutions specific to your industry and business needs
By addressing these key aspects, WHS consultants help create safer, more compliant, and more efficient workplaces.
Partner with expert WHS consultants from the Altius Group
At Altius Group, our expert WHS consultants provide solutions that offer cost benefits. We focus on minimising physical and psychosocial risk to help create a safe and positive working environment.
It’s time to get on board with our mindset of continuous improvement. Contact Altius Group now to be part of the innovative solutions shaping the future of workplace health and safety. Contact us online or call the friendly team on 1800 258 487.
