Broad Brush Risk Assessment Template for Australia

A Broad Brush Risk Assessment is your systematic approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards across your entire operation. This comprehensive evaluation process helps you meet your legal obligations under Australian Work Health and Safety legislation while protecting workers from potential harm. The assessment provides a structured framework for examining all aspects of your workplace, from physical hazards to procedural risks, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

When do you need this document?

You need a Broad Brush Risk Assessment when establishing new operations, implementing significant workplace changes, or conducting mandatory periodic reviews. This assessment is essential when introducing new equipment, processes, or chemicals that could affect worker safety. You'll also require this document when workplace incidents indicate potential systemic issues, or when HSRs or safety committees request comprehensive risk evaluations. Additionally, many insurance providers and regulatory bodies expect evidence of regular broad-scale risk assessments as part of due diligence processes.

Key legal considerations

Your assessment must demonstrate meaningful consultation with workers and their representatives throughout the process. The document should clearly identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards and evaluate risks using recognised methodologies aligned with AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 standards. You must prioritise control measures according to the hierarchy of controls, addressing elimination and substitution before relying on administrative controls or personal protective equipment. The assessment should establish clear responsibilities for implementation, monitoring, and review of control measures. Documentation must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections while remaining accessible to all relevant stakeholders.

Legal requirements in Australia

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, you have a primary duty of care to ensure worker health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate control measures based on your assessment findings. The WHS Regulations 2011 specify detailed requirements for risk assessment procedures, particularly for high-risk activities and hazardous substances. Your assessment must comply with relevant Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice, which provide practical guidance on risk management processes. State and territory variations may apply, so ensure your assessment addresses jurisdiction-specific requirements. Environmental considerations under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may also be relevant if your operations could impact environmental factors.