General HSEQ / WHS

What does HSEQ stand for and what is the difference between WHS, OHS and safety management?

HSEQ stands for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. It’s a broad framework used by organisations to manage worker safety, environmental obligations and quality requirements in an integrated way.

WHS (Work Health and Safety) and OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) refer specifically to worker health and safety obligations under legislation. In Australia, WHS is the commonly used term, while OHS is still used in some jurisdictions and internationally.
Safety management is a general term describing the systems, processes and controls used to manage safety risks in practice.

Does my business legally need WHS documentation and who is responsible for WHS compliance in a business?

In Australia, businesses have legal obligations under WHS legislation to manage risks, provide safe systems of work and demonstrate due diligence. While the exact documents required depend on the nature of the work, most businesses need some form of documented procedures, risk assessments and records to support compliance.

Responsibility for WHS sits with the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), supported by Officers, Managers and Supervisors. Workers also have duties to follow safe work practices.

Do small businesses need the same WHS systems as large companies?

Small businesses are subject to the same WHS laws as larger organisations, but the scale and complexity of their systems should be proportionate to the risks involved.

A small business may not need a large, complex management system, but it still needs practical documentation, risk assessments and processes that reflect the work being undertaken.

What industries typically require formal WHS systems?

Formal WHS systems are most common in construction, civil works, mining, infrastructure, utilities, maintenance, manufacturing and other high-risk industries. These sectors often require documented systems to meet legal obligations, client requirements, tender conditions and audit expectations.

WHS Document Shop

Are the WHS documents templates or fully customised documents?

The documents in our WHS Document Shop are professional-grade templates designed to be customised for your business. They provide a structured, high-quality starting point that reflects real-world industry requirements rather than generic, one-size-fits-all content.

Are your WHS document templates aligned with Australian WHS legislation, standards and ISO frameworks?

Our templates are developed to align with Australian WHS legislation and commonly referenced standards, including ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, where applicable. They are designed to support compliance and audit readiness when implemented correctly within a business.

Can the templates be edited to suit my business?

Yes. All templates are provided in editable formats so they can be tailored to reflect your business activities, roles, equipment, risk profile and client requirements.

Can I use these documents for tenders, audits and prequalification?

Many businesses use our documents to support tenders, audits, prequalification submissions and client onboarding. As with any WHS documentation, they should be reviewed and customised to ensure they accurately reflect your operations.

What’s the difference between buying templates and using a consultant?

Templates provide a fast, cost-effective way to build or improve your WHS documentation. Consulting services, on the other hand, involve hands-on support, advice and customisation.

Some businesses start with templates, while others prefer ongoing support through consulting or a retainer model depending on their needs and internal capability.

Monthly HSEQ Retainer - On Call Safety Support

What is a monthly HSEQ retainer?

A monthly HSEQ retainer provides ongoing access to a dedicated Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality professional without employing a full-time Safety Manager. It’s designed to support day-to-day WHS compliance, documentation, incident response and client requirements on a predictable monthly cost.

For a full breakdown of inclusions and terms, see our Monthly HSEQ Retainer page.

How is a retainer different from hiring a full-time Safety Manager?

A retainer offers flexibility and cost control. Instead of employing a full-time Safety Manager, you access professional support when you need it, without salary, leave or long-term employment commitments.

This model suits businesses that need consistent support but don’t require a full-time internal role.

What types of work can be done under the monthly retainer?

Retainer support can include activities such as SWMS, JHA and SOP development, policy updates, compliance reviews, tender support, incident response guidance, system gap analysis and digital HSEQ improvements.

The exact focus can change month to month depending on your priorities.

What happens if I need more than 8 hours in a month?

If additional support is required beyond the included hours, extra work can be quoted or billed separately before proceeding. This ensures transparency and avoids unexpected costs.

Digital JHA Build

What is a Digital JHA?

A Digital JHA is an electronic job hazard analysis system that replaces paper or PDF JHAs with a structured, auditable digital workflow. Hazards, controls, approvals and sign-offs are captured digitally using mobile devices, improving visibility and consistency.

For a full overview of how our systems are built, see the Digital JHA Build page.

Is a JHA the same as a JSA or Job Hazard Assessment?

Yes. JHA (Job Hazard Analysis or Job Hazard Assessment), JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and JSEA (Job Safety and Environment Assessment) are terms often used interchangeably across industries and organisations. While terminology varies, the underlying purpose—identifying hazards and implementing controls before work begins—is the same.

How does a Digital JHA differ from paper or PDF JHAs?

Digital JHAs eliminate handwriting, scanning, uploading and chasing signatures. They allow real-time approvals, consistent hazard logic, automated records and instant visibility for supervisors and managers across multiple sites.

What does the $2,000 project initiation fee cover?

The project initiation fee covers the scoping and design phase of the Digital JHA build. This includes requirements workshops, system architecture planning, workflow design and preparation of a System Requirements Document (SRD), which outlines scope, timeframes and the final project quote.

How long does it take to build a Digital JHA system?

Timeframes vary depending on scope and complexity. Most builds follow a staged process, starting with scoping and design, followed by development, testing and deployment. A confirmed delivery timeframe is provided in the SRD before development begins.