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WHSO appointed for more than one workplace

An employer may appoint a WHSO for more than one workplace but this must have prior approval in writing from the Chief Executive, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

What the Act requires
What happens when I apply?
Criteria for approval

What the Act requires?

Section 93(4) and 94(4) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act states:-

'An employer may, with the chief executive's written approval, appoint a qualified person to be the workplace health and safety officer for more than 1 workplace if the person can reasonably perform the person's functions as workplace health and safety officer for each workplace'; and

'A principal contractor may, with the chief executive's written approval, appoint a qualified person to be the workplace health and safety officer for more than 1 construction workplace if the person can reasonably perform the person's functions as workplace health and safety officer for each workplace'.

These sections are designed to allow a certain amount of flexibility in the implementation of the WHSO system. However, to ensure that the sharing of a WHSO for a number of workplaces does not reduce the effectiveness of the WHSO, it is important that the WHSO is able to access the workplaces on a regular basis. Such job sharing will not be realistic where health and safety related work programs at one or more of the workplaces are so involved and complex that the WHSO will be unable to attend to the needs of other workplaces.

What happens when I apply?

When an employer or principal contractor wishes to make an application under Sections 93(4) or 94(4) of the Act to share the services of a WHSO at a number of workplaces, a number of criteria must be addressed. Each submission will be considered on its merit before the applicant is informed in writing of the chief executive's decision.

An employer who has received written authority to share the function of a WHSO at a number of nominated workplaces will be required to demonstrate (with appropriate documentation) that the 'sharing system' has worked effectively.

The written authority will be for a maximum period of 2 years.  Further extension of the approval will be subject to an audit by Inspectors of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the lodgement of copies of all workplace assessments conducted by the workplace health and safety officer(s).

Approvals may be revoked if there is evidence that the sharing has not produced the desired results.

Criteria for approval

None of these criteria will be treated in isolation. Cases will be assessed on an individual basis in line with a combination of the following criteria:

  1. Company/organisation's workplace health and safety history
    Provide history of frequent incidents (work injuries, diseases or near misses), or issue of notices (warnings, improvement notices, prohibition notices).
  2. Location and accessibility of the workplaces
    Where the distance is such that the workplace cant be easily accessible by common modes of transport. This may affect the frequency of visit by the WHSO to the workplaces.
  3. Nature of the work processes of each nominated workplace
    Workplaces with high risk work will be discouraged from sharing a WHSO.
  4. Number of people employed at each nominated workplace
    If a large number of people are employed (generally more than 100 workers) at each and every workplace nominated in the application, the volume of the WHSO's work is likely to be high and separate WHSOs may be required.
  5. Existence of a written health and safety policy statement and/or procedures for the administration of workplace health and safety functions.
    Where possible, evidence of how the company’s health and safety policy is implemented should be provided.
  6. When the ‘shared’ WHSO is attending to the needs of other nominated workplaces, what additional consultation processes exist in relation to resolution of health and safety matters.
    Health and safety representatives and committees can assist employers in the implementation of safe work practices and resolution of health and safety matters in the absence of the WHSO.
    Evidence establishing that a consultation process has taken place between the committee and/or representatives to address safety matters could include submitting copies of consultation meeting minutes or reports.

Last updated June 29, 2006