What's in this template?
This work health and safety policy is designed for Australian general practices preparing for RACGP accreditation under the Standards for General Practices (5th Edition). It maps directly to Criterion C3.5 — Work health and safety.
The template covers 17 sections:
- Policy Statement — commitment to safe and healthy workplace, legislative context (WHS Act 2011), state-specific notes for Victoria and WA
- Scope — all workers (employees, contractors, locums, volunteers, students), patients, visitors, and off-site activities
- Duties and Responsibilities — PCBU duties, Practice Principal (Officer) due diligence, WHS Officer day-to-day coordination, all workers' obligations
- Consultation, Cooperation, and Coordination — worker consultation mechanisms, team meetings, HSR/committee arrangements
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment — quarterly workplace inspections, common GP practice hazards (manual handling, biological, chemical, ergonomic, psychological, electrical), hierarchy of controls
- Hazard Register — maintained by WHS Officer, reviewed at staff meetings
- Incident Reporting and Investigation — reporting process, notifiable incidents (death, serious injury, dangerous incident), WHS regulator notification
- Emergency Preparedness — cross-reference to Emergency Response Plan, first aid kit locations, trained first aiders
- Manual Handling — correct technique, two-person lifts, patient assistance, ergonomic assessment
- Occupational Violence and Aggression — zero tolerance, de-escalation training, duress systems, incident documentation, staff support
- Psychological Health and Wellbeing — manageable workloads, respectful culture, bullying/harassment, EAP access, return-to-work support
- Workers' Compensation and Return to Work — insurance details, claims process, return-to-work program
- WHS Training — induction, annual refresher, specific risk training, first aid certification
- Workplace Inspections — quarterly inspections, standardised checklist, all practice areas
- Monitoring and Review — standing agenda item, quarterly incident trends, annual policy review
- Related Policies — cross-references to Emergency Response, IPC, Clinical Risk, Training, Complaints
- Review History — version control and approval
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RACGP accreditation requirement
Criterion C3.5 requires that the practice complies with relevant WHS legislation and maintains a safe workplace. Surveyors will typically check:
- A documented WHS policy exists and is current
- A hazard register is maintained and regularly reviewed
- Workplace inspections are conducted and documented
- Incident reporting and investigation processes are in place
- Staff can describe how to report a hazard or incident
- WHS training records are available
Legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) — the harmonised national Act adopted by most states/territories
- WHS Regulations — detailed requirements for specific hazards
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) — Victoria's equivalent legislation
- Safe Work Australia — national WHS policy body providing codes of practice and guidance material
How to customise this template
- Download and fill in all
{{placeholder}}fields - Identify your WHS regulator — SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe WA, WorkSafe Tasmania, WorkSafe ACT, or NT WorkSafe
- Set up your hazard register — a simple spreadsheet listing identified hazards, risk ratings, controls, and review dates
- Customise Section 10 (Occupational Violence) — describe your specific duress system (duress buttons, code words, etc.)
- Add your EAP details — contact your insurer or HR provider for EAP access
- Schedule your first workplace inspection — walk through all areas with the WHS Officer using a standardised checklist
- Ensure first aid coverage — at least 2 staff members should have current first aid certification
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate WHS policy if I already have an Emergency Response Plan?
Yes. The Emergency Response Plan covers what to do when emergencies occur. The WHS policy covers the broader system for preventing workplace injuries and illness, including hazard identification, risk assessment, incident reporting, manual handling, psychological health, and worker consultation. They are complementary documents assessed under different RACGP criteria.
What are the most common WHS risks in a general practice?
The most common risks include: needlestick and sharps injuries, occupational violence and aggression from patients, manual handling injuries, slips/trips/falls, psychological stress (workload, vicarious trauma), and chemical exposure (cleaning products, sterilisation chemicals).
Who should be the WHS Officer?
Typically the Practice Manager, but it can be any staff member with an interest in workplace safety. The WHS Officer doesn't need formal qualifications but should receive WHS training and have the authority and time to carry out inspections, maintain the hazard register, and coordinate training.
Can I use this for AGPAL or QPA accreditation?
Yes. Both accrediting bodies assess against RACGP Criterion C3.5. This template provides the WHS policy documentation, hazard management framework, and incident reporting system that surveyors expect to see.