WHS Risk Assessment Template

A WHS risk assessment is a broad-scope assessment that covers all categories of workplace hazards. Unlike hazard-specific risk assessments that focus on a single risk category, this template provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the full range of WHS risks present in a workplace or work activity.

The template is structured around the five recognised hazard categories: physical hazards (noise, vibration, radiation, temperature extremes), chemical hazards (hazardous substances, dangerous goods, dusts, fumes), biological hazards (pathogens, allergens, vectors), ergonomic hazards (manual handling, workstation design, repetitive tasks), and psychosocial hazards (workload, harassment, bullying, trauma exposure).

For each hazard category, the template provides identification prompts, assessment criteria including relevant workplace exposure limits and regulatory thresholds, and control measures following the hierarchy of controls. This comprehensive approach ensures that no hazard category is overlooked during the risk assessment process.

A comprehensive WHS risk assessment is required under the WHS Act 2011 s17-19 as part of the PCBU's primary duty of care. The duty requires the PCBU to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons. This can only be achieved through a systematic process of hazard identification and risk assessment.

A comprehensive WHS risk assessment is particularly appropriate when establishing a new workplace, introducing new work processes or equipment, conducting a periodic review of the safety management system, preparing for audits or certification assessments, or responding to a regulator request for risk assessment documentation.

The WHS Regulation 2025 requires specific risk assessments for certain hazard categories including hazardous manual tasks (Part 4.2), noise (Part 4.1), hazardous chemicals (Part 7.1), and confined spaces (Part 4.3). This comprehensive template addresses all of these categories in a single document.

How This Is Different

This WHS risk assessment template is authored by occupational hygiene professionals who assess workplace hazards across all categories. The template provides technically accurate assessment criteria including workplace exposure limits, regulatory thresholds, and industry benchmarks that allow a meaningful assessment of risk rather than a subjective guess. Generic WHS risk assessment templates provide a blank matrix for all hazards. Our template provides structured assessment guidance for each hazard category, ensuring that the assessment methodology is appropriate to the hazard type. Chemical risks require different assessment criteria than ergonomic risks, and our template reflects these differences.