Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
The Safe Work Australia model code of practice for the healthcare and social assistance industry: who holds WHS duties (including contracted, platform and sole trader arrangements), the priority of worker safety over patient or client preference, the risk management process, and the hazard groups of hazardous manual tasks and people handling, fatigue, psychosocial hazards, violence and aggression, biological hazards, hazardous chemicals and cytotoxic drugs, the work environment and private homes, slips, trips and falls, equipment, vehicles and electrical hazards. Guidance, not law: once a jurisdiction approves it under WHS Act s 274 it is admissible evidence of what is reasonably practicable (s 275).
Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry is a compliance framework from Australia (model for the harmonised WHS jurisdictions: Commonwealth, NSW, Qld, SA, WA, Tas, ACT, NT; not Victoria) with 13 domains and 61 controls. The largest domains are Section 2: Managing WHS risks – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (15 controls), Section 3.7: Work environment hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (8 controls), Section 1: Who has WHS legal responsibilities – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (7 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (13)
Section 1: Who has WHS legal responsibilities – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.1a | 1.1 Work out who the PCBU and the workers are, including shared and contracted arrangements |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.1b | 1.1 Meet the primary duty and do not let patient or client care override worker safety |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.1c | 1.1 Consult workers, HSRs and other duty holders |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.2 | 1.2 Make worker duties known to every kind of worker in the industry |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.3 | 1.3 Exercise officer due diligence |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.4 | 1.4 Design, supply and install buildings and equipment without creating WHS risks |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::1.5 | 1.5 Make patients, clients, families and visitors aware of what is expected of them |
Section 2: Managing WHS risks – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.0 | 2 Prepare the risk management process: involve the right people and plan recording |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.1a | 2.1 Identify hazards by varied methods and make reporting easy and safe |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.1b | 2.1 Seek knowledge about controls: ignorance of WHS issues is not a defence |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.2a | 2.2 Assess risk by consequence and likelihood, or duration, frequency and severity, and consider hazards together |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.2b | 2.2 Assess risk in changing or unknown environments with pre-visit and dynamic risk assessments |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.3a | 2.3 Control risks: eliminate first, brainstorm, apply the hierarchy and avoid new hazards |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.3b | 2.3 Judge what is reasonably practicable with a presumption in favour of safety over cost |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.3c | 2.3 Apply good work design from the earliest opportunity |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.4a | 2.4 Review controls regularly and on triggers |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.4b | 2.4 Provide suitable information, training, instruction and supervision, including for diverse workers |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.4c | 2.4 Show leadership commitment through resourcing, consultation and example |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.5 | 2.5 Consult workers when managing risks, including on changes, and make consultation accessible |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.6 | 2.6 Consult, cooperate and coordinate with other employers and organisations that share duties |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.7 | 2.7 Use interim controls where needed, but never as the permanent fix, and act at once on serious danger |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::2.8 | 2.8 Notify the regulator of notifiable incidents and preserve the site |
Section 3.10: Vehicle hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.10a | 3.10 Treat work vehicles as workplaces and manage transport of patients and clients |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.10b | 3.10 Manage emergency response driving and prevent vehicle roll-aways |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.10c | 3.10 Identify and control vehicle risks |
Section 3.11: Electrical hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.11a | 3.11 Manage electrical risks: RCDs, malfunctioning equipment, competent testing and reporting |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.11b | 3.11 Identify and control electrical risks |
Section 3.1: Hazardous manual tasks – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.1a | 3.1 Manage hazardous manual tasks and people handling so no one lifts a person unaided |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.1b | 3.1 Assess hazardous manual tasks at the right times and look at all sources of risk |
Section 3.2: Fatigue – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.2a | 3.2 Manage fatigue as a hazard in its own right and as a cause of other incidents |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.2b | 3.2 Identify fatigue hazards across hours, tasks and individual factors |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.2c | 3.2 Control fatigue through rostering, work design and support |
Section 3.3: Psychosocial hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.3a | 3.3 Manage psychosocial risks through controls, not only wellbeing programs |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.3b | 3.3 Identify the common psychosocial hazards in healthcare and social assistance work |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.3c | 3.3 Control psychosocial risk through the work environment, tools and work design |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.3d | 3.3 Train supervisors and set behaviour standards, and address harmful behaviours between colleagues early |
Section 3.4: Work-related violence, aggression and harassment – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.4a | 3.4 Protect workers from violence, aggression and harassment from patients, clients, families and the public |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.4b | 3.4 Identify violence, aggression and harassment hazards |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.4c | 3.4 Control violence through the physical environment and equipment |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.4d | 3.4 Control violence through work design: staffing, screening, behaviour plans and procedures |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.4e | 3.4 Train workers in recognising and de-escalating violence and run response teams and briefings |
Section 3.5: Biological hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.5a | 3.5 Manage biological hazards and provide PPE properly |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.5b | 3.5 Identify biological hazards in the work environment, tasks and exposure routes |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.5c | 3.5 Control biological hazards and strengthen controls during outbreaks |
Section 3.6: Hazardous chemicals – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.6a | 3.6 Meet the hazardous chemical duties on labels, safety data sheets, register, exposure standards and health monitoring |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.6b | 3.6 Control airborne contaminants and the chemical work environment, including the exposure limit transition |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.6c | 3.6 Manage the risks of cytotoxic drugs, related laundry and waste |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.6d | 3.6 Identify and control chemical risks in the workplace and in homes |
Section 3.7: Work environment hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7a | 3.7 Provide a work environment with safe layout, space, lighting, surfaces, ventilation and temperature |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7b | 3.7 Provide first aid, facilities and emergency plans, including for work in homes |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7c | 3.7 Design entries, exits, aisles, stairs, floors and lighting for safe movement |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7d | 3.7 Design facilities for the people and tasks they serve |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7e | 3.7 Ventilate healthcare spaces to limit airborne biological hazards |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7f | 3.7 Manage remote or isolated work and provide effective communication (r 48) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7g | 3.7 Manage WHS risks in private homes, including smoking and the right to refuse unsafe work |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.7h | 3.7 Identify and control work environment risks |
Section 3.8: Slips, trips and falls – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.8a | 3.8 Prevent slips, trips and falls through design, surfaces, lighting and housekeeping |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.8b | 3.8 Identify and control slip, trip and fall risks |
Section 3.9: Equipment hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.9a | 3.9 Meet the equipment (plant) duties across its life and make sure it is used only as designed |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.9b | 3.9 Control radiation risks from medical imaging and treatment equipment |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-healthcare-and-social-assistance-industry::3.9c | 3.9 Identify and control equipment risks |
What is Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry and who does it apply to?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry is a compliance framework from Australia (model for the harmonised WHS jurisdictions: Commonwealth, NSW, Qld, SA, WA, Tas, ACT, NT; not Victoria) with 13 domains and 61 controls. The Safe Work Australia model code of practice for the healthcare and social assistance industry: who holds WHS duties (including contracted, platform and sole trader arrangements), the priority of worker safety over patient or client preference, the risk management process, and the hazard groups of hazardous manual tasks and people handling, fatigue, psychosocial hazards, violence and aggression, biological hazards, hazardous chemicals and cytotoxic drugs, the work environment and private homes, slips, trips and falls, equipment, vehicles and electrical hazards. Guidance, not law: once a jurisdiction approves it under WHS Act s 274 it is admissible evidence of what is reasonably practicable (s 275). It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry actually require?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry has 61 controls organised across 13 domains. The largest domains are Section 2: Managing WHS risks – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (15 controls), Section 3.7: Work environment hazards – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (8 controls), Section 1: Who has WHS legal responsibilities – Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry (7 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry do I already cover?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry does not currently have cross-framework mappings in our system. Check back as we continuously expand our mapping database.
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