What Every QLD Business Needs in a WHS Manual (And Why It Matters)
- StaySafe Consulting
- May 7
- 3 min read
If your business operates in Queensland and you don’t have a clear, compliant WHS Manual — you may be falling short of your legal obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).
A properly structured Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Manual isn’t just paperwork — it’s your foundation for staying compliant, reducing risk, and protecting workers.
At StaySafe Consultants, we work with businesses across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba to help them meet their WHS requirements with documentation that’s simple, clear, and legally sound.
What is a WHS Manual?
A WHS Manual, sometimes called a Health and Safety Manual, is a document that outlines how your business manages health and safety risks.
It typically includes your WHS policies, responsibilities, procedures for identifying hazards, managing risk, and handling incidents.
Under Queensland law, every PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) has a duty to manage risks — and a written manual is often the first thing auditors, principal contractors, or clients will ask for.
What Should Be Included in a WHS Manual in Queensland?
A high-quality WHS Manual should include the following key elements:
WHS Policy StatementA brief statement of your company’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment.
Roles and ResponsibilitiesClear definitions of who is responsible for safety — including managers, workers, and contractors.
Consultation and Communication ProceduresHow you involve your team in safety decisions and ensure information is shared.
Risk Management ProcessSteps for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures (aligned with ISO 31000).
Safe Work Procedures / SOPsAn overview of task-based safety procedures used in your business or project.
Incident Reporting and InvestigationInstructions on how to report, record, and respond to incidents and near misses.
Emergency Response PlanningDetails on evacuation plans, fire safety, first aid and communication in emergencies.
Training and Induction RequirementsHow your workers are trained and how site inductions are recorded and managed.
Document ControlHow safety records, forms, and registers are maintained, reviewed, and updated.
Why Is a WHS Manual Important for Brisbane and QLD Businesses?
✅ It proves compliance with the WHS Act 2011 (Qld)
✅ It’s often mandatory for construction tenders and audits
✅ It helps reduce injuries and legal risk
✅ It gives your team a structured, reliable safety system
✅ It’s a key document for ISO certification and principal contractor pre-qualification
What Happens if You Don’t Have One?
Without a WHS Manual, your business may struggle to:
Win government or Tier 1 contracts
Meet safety audit requirements
Prove due diligence if an incident occurs
Ensure all workers are following the same safety procedures
In short — no WHS Manual = no control + increased risk.
How to Get a WHS Manual for Your QLD Business
You can build one from scratch — or save hours and ensure compliance by using a WHS Manual Template created by experienced WHS consultants.
At StaySafe Consultants, we offer an editable QLD-compliant WHS Manual Template used by contractors, builders, and businesses across the state. It’s trusted for tenders, audits, and new project setups — and it’s ready to go in Word format.
👉 Related WHS Templates You Might Need:
📞 Need Help Building Your WHS Manual?
StaySafe Consultants provides WHS documentation, audits, and safety system support across Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and beyond.
We’ll help you choose the right templates — or build a customised WHS Manual tailored to your business.
✅ Fully compliant with QLD legislation✅ Trusted by construction, trades, logistics, and government suppliers✅ Instant downloads and consulting support available
