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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for WHS Specialist

💰 $ - $

Health & SafetyWHSOHSHSESafety Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The WHS Specialist is responsible for implementing, monitoring and continuously improving the organisation’s Work Health & Safety (WHS/OHS/HSE) systems and processes. This role delivers compliance with relevant legislation and standards (including ISO 45001), leads incident investigations and risk assessments, drives behavioural and systems-based safety improvements, coordinates contractor safety, delivers training and reporting, and acts as a trusted advisor to operational leaders to reduce workplace risk and improve workforce wellbeing.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • WHS Coordinator / Safety Officer
  • Site Safety Representative / Field Safety Advisor
  • Occupational Health or Environmental Technician

Advancement To:

  • WHS / HSE Manager
  • Regional Safety Manager / Head of Safety
  • Safety Business Partner or Senior HSE Advisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Manager
  • Environmental (EMS) Advisor
  • Risk & Compliance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement and maintain the organisation’s WHS management system in line with ISO 45001 and relevant local/state/territory legislation, ensuring policies, procedures and standards are current and accessible.
  • Conduct comprehensive workplace risk assessments, job safety analyses (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS); identify, prioritise and drive controls to eliminate or mitigate hazards.
  • Lead incident and near‑miss investigations using root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, RCA), document corrective and preventive actions and monitor closure to prevent recurrence.
  • Plan and deliver targeted WHS training programs, inductions, toolbox talks and competence assessments to operational teams, supervisors and contractors to support safe systems of work.
  • Perform routine and scheduled workplace inspections and audits (operational, project and contractor sites), prepare audit reports, assign actions and track completion to closure.
  • Monitor WHS performance through key performance indicators (TRIFR, LTIFR, near misses, corrective actions), produce monthly/quarterly dashboards and present insights to senior leadership with improvement recommendations.
  • Provide expert WHS advice and guidance to managers, supervisors and project teams on legislative compliance, permit-to-work systems, lockout/tagout, permits, and safe work planning.
  • Manage contractor pre-qualification, induction, monitoring and compliance processes to ensure contractor activities meet company WHS expectations and legal obligations.
  • Maintain hazardous substances registers, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) management and ensure controls for storage, handling and disposal of chemicals and dangerous goods are implemented and audited.
  • Coordinate occupational health, ergonomics and workplace monitoring activities including noise, air monitoring and fatigue risk assessments, and action outcomes with stakeholders.
  • Develop, implement and coordinate emergency response plans, fire and evacuation procedures, first aid provision and regular emergency exercises; liaise with local emergency services where required.
  • Support and manage workers’ compensation, return-to-work and rehabilitation processes, liaise with insurers, medical providers and unions to manage claims and early intervention.
  • Drive incident prevention programs including behaviour-based safety initiatives, health promotion, fatigue management and wellbeing campaigns to improve workplace safety culture.
  • Ensure plant, machinery and equipment meet statutory and manufacturer safety requirements, coordinate pre-start checks, maintenance scheduling and isolation/lockout procedures.
  • Participate in project design reviews and contractor handovers to influence safety-by-design, ensuring hazards are identified and managed in design and construction phases.
  • Maintain and update WHS documentation, policies, procedures, and legal registers; ensure document control and versioning is applied.
  • Liaise with regulators and external auditors during site inspections, manage requests for information and ensure timely corrective actions to compliance findings.
  • Provide regular WHS communications and campaigns to the workforce, promoting continuous improvement, lessons learned and safety innovations.
  • Manage budgets and procurement related to WHS programs, PPE, training and monitoring equipment to ensure cost-effective safety delivery.

Secondary Functions

  • Conduct behavioural safety observations and coaching sessions with line managers to uplift leadership capability in safety and ensure hazard controls are sustained.
  • Support project teams with safety planning for major works, including permit-to-work systems, confined space, hot works and elevated work planning.
  • Assist in the selection and implementation of WHS information systems, incident management databases and reporting tools (e.g., SafetyChampion, Intelex, Cority, Sphera).
  • Prepare and submit reports for board-level review, safety committees and statutory reporting obligations where required.
  • Perform trend analysis on incident and near-miss data to identify systemic risks and produce targeted prevention strategies.
  • Coach and mentor junior safety staff, site safety representatives and health & safety committees in consultation processes and safe work practices.
  • Maintain and control PPE standards, procurement and distribution, and drive compliance with mandated PPE for high-risk tasks.
  • Support health surveillance programs (where applicable) and coordinate access to occupational health professionals and specialists.
  • Participate in change management activities to embed safety requirements into business-as-usual processes and capital projects.
  • Assist with contractor audits, pre-start safety reviews and ongoing compliance checks for subcontracted services.
  • Facilitate cross-functional risk workshops, HAZOPs and BowTie analyses for high-risk activities and new workstreams.
  • Provide timely responses to ad-hoc WHS inquiries from operations, HR, procurement and project teams, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven knowledge of WHS/OHS legislation, codes of practice and compliance requirements in the relevant jurisdiction.
  • Practical experience implementing and auditing to ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 or equivalent safety management frameworks.
  • Incident investigation and root cause analysis techniques, with demonstrable outcomes from corrective action programs.
  • Risk assessment methodologies, JSA/SWMS development and control implementation for medium-to-high risk activities.
  • Competency in safety auditing, workplace inspections and corrective action tracking.
  • Construction, manufacturing, mining or facilities safety experience (site-based safety management preferred).
  • Contractor management, pre-qualification and site induction systems experience.
  • Proficiency with safety management software and databases (e.g., Intelex, Cority, Sphera, Safety Champion) and strong MS Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint); experience with Power BI or reporting tools is an advantage.
  • Hazardous substances management, SDS handling and regulatory compliance.
  • Emergency planning, confined space, working at heights and rescue coordination knowledge.
  • Occupational hygiene and ergonomics awareness, including exposure monitoring and controls.
  • Certifications preferred: NEBOSH General/NGO, Cert IV in Work Health & Safety, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, Confined Space and Working at Heights tickets.

Soft Skills

  • Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing ability to work with operational leaders, contractors and regulators.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear reporting, training and safety messaging.
  • Analytical thinker with strong attention to detail and the ability to synthesise data into actionable insights.
  • Problem solving and decision-making under pressure with a focus on practical, risk-based solutions.
  • Coaching and mentoring capability to develop safety leadership at all levels.
  • Resilient, proactive and outcomes-focused with a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Ability to prioritise competing demands across multiple sites and project teams.
  • Cultural awareness and ability to work collaboratively in diverse, unionised or non-unionised environments.
  • Professional integrity, confidentiality and ability to manage sensitive workers’ compensation matters.
  • Time management and organisational skills to manage audits, incidents, training and reporting obligations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Diploma or Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety, Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent vocational qualification.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial/Mechanical Engineering, Human Resources, or similar tertiary qualification.
  • Additional professional certifications (NEBOSH, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor, Occupational Hygiene) are highly regarded.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Environmental Science / Health
  • Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Industrial)
  • Human Resources / Industrial Relations
  • Public Health / Nursing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–7 years in WHS / HSE roles, with demonstrable site-based or operational safety delivery.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of progressive experience as a Safety Officer, WHS Coordinator or WHS Specialist within construction, manufacturing, utilities, mining, logistics or large-scale facilities.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading incident investigations, implementing ISO 45001 systems, managing contractors and delivering measurable safety improvements.
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