Ultimate Management Guide To Workplace OHS Policies and Procedures

All OHS WHS management system documents (guides, policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, etc) must be uniquely identified. All pages should be numbered, including the total number of pages. All documents should also be entered in a controlled document register where the distribution list of each document is recorded.

Correct identification of all documents will hold you in good stead when trying to efficiently organise your operations.

It is important to keep controlled copies of documents in one place so that personal needing access to the distribution list has it at all times. A receipt of the documents should be verified.

All uncontrolled copies of OHS WHS documents should be clearly labelled "UNCONTROLLED", to prevent personal from accidentally working with an uncontrolled document.

All locations of documents should be defined in the register. Any document found at a location other than as defined, should be considered ‘Uncontrolled’.

Managers and supervisors should ensure that your documents can be easily located and are easily accessible to all personnel who need them for their work.

In some instances, documents will be issued in languages other than English. The translation of documents to languages other than English should be controlled and authorised, and full document control should be applied to the translated items.

When required, work instructions and signs may be in the form of pictures, drawings, colours and other visual means, rather than text.