Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394:body:0:p26
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 64950–67877

WHS management plan?
A WHS management plan is a written plan that sets out the arrangements for managing some site health and safety matters. The intention of a WHS management plan is to ensure the required processes are in place to manage the risks associated with a complex construction project, as there are usually many contractors and subcontractors involved and circumstances can change quickly from day to day.

The WHS management plan must be in writing and must be prepared by the principal contractor before a project commences. It should be easily understood by workers (including contractors and subcontractors). It may not be necessary to communicate the entire WHS management plan to all workers; however, they must be made aware of the parts that are applicable to the work they are carrying out.

5.2              What must the WHS management plan contain?
The WHS Management Plan must contain:
    * names of persons at the workplace whose positions or roles involve specific health and safety responsibilities, for example site supervisors, project managers, first aid officers
    * arrangements for consultation, cooperation and coordination
    * arrangements for managing incidents
    * site-specific health and safety rules and how people will be informed of the rules
    * arrangements to collect and assess, monitor and review SWMS.
It may also include information on:
    * the provision and maintenance of a hazardous chemicals register, safety data sheets and hazardous chemicals storage
    * the safe use and storage of plant
    * the development of a construction project traffic management plan
    * obtaining and providing essential services information
    * workplace security and public safety
    * ensuring workers have appropriate licences and training to undertake the construction work.

5.3              How to prepare a WHS management plan
While a WHS management plan is required for every construction project, a principal contractor may prepare a generic WHS management plan that applies to several construction projects, if the arrangements to manage work health and safety are the same for each construction project. However the principal contractor must review and revise the plan to ensure it addresses the risks
of the actual workplace.

Appendix F provides further advice on preparing WHS management plans.

Appendix G provides a template for a WHS management plan.

Appendix H provides an example of a completed WHS management plan.

5.4              Informing people about the WHS management plan
Regulation 310: The principal contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all persons who are to carry out construction work on the construction project are made aware of the content of the WHS management plan in respect to their work and their right to inspect the plan.

The principal contractor may do this by:
    * giving subcontractors a copy of