A Workplace Health and Safety Management System WHSMS Implementation Plan is a document that outlines the steps and timeline for implementing a WHS Management System in an organization. A WHSMS Implementation Plan should be specific for the organisation, but may include:
They don’t have to be documented, but you should have some goals and objectives agreed upon. For example:
Download our WHSMS Implementation Plan Schedule to help guide your WHSMS rollout!
Assigning Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) roles and responsibilities is an important aspect of ensuring that an organization’s WHS Management System (WHSMS) is effective. Here are some steps to follow:
An organisational chart can be helpful.
Identify the resources required for the WHSMS Implementation Plan. These may include:
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It may be necessary to make a budget and be sure to keep all those receipts!
It’s important to ensure that top management is committed to providing the necessary resources to support the WHSMS Implementation Plan. This can be achieved through regular communication and reporting on the WHSMS’s progress and effectiveness.
The size and complexity of the organization can have a significant impact on the timeline. Larger organizations may require more time due to the number of employees and the range of activities.
The existence of pre-existing WHS systems and processes can also impact the timeline. Organizations with well-established systems may be able to implement the WHSMS more quickly.
The WHSMS Implementation should outline the training required for staff. This is essential to ensure that all staff understand the WHSMS and their roles and responsibilities. Training that may be required:
Training for staff will likely be ongoing, with periodic refresher training conducted as necessary.
By planning and having a structured approach to the WHSMS implementation, the organisation is more likely to reap the rewards of having a well-implemented WHSMS.
Implementation of a full WHSMS may take anywhere from 3 months to over 2 years.
Resources required for WHSMS implementation may include:
Barriers to WHSMS implementation can be:
In ancient Rome, the risk of a scribe getting a cramp from writing all day was taken so seriously that they had designated “arm-flappers”? These were fellow workers whose sole job was to stand behind the scribes and periodically grab their arms, swinging them vigorously to keep the blood flowing! If you thought your company’s yoga break was a modern invention for workplace health, think again. The Romans were ahead of their time, proving that even in ancient workplaces, safety (and keeping those writing arms limber) was no laughing matter—or maybe it was, just a little.
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