Policy owner and approver: Adam Cogan
Implementation: State Managers
Last updated: 15 October 2026
SSW is committed to providing a workplace that protects the physical and psychological health and safety of our people and anyone affected by our work.
We will eliminate work-related risks so far as reasonably practicable. Where elimination is not reasonably practicable, we will minimise those risks, consult with workers and provide appropriate information, equipment, training and support.
Everyone is encouraged to report hazards, injuries, near misses and safety concerns promptly. SSW will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a safety concern in good faith.
This policy applies to SSW employees, contractors and others carrying out work for SSW. Visitors must follow relevant safety instructions.
It covers SSW offices, home and remote workspaces, client sites, work-related travel, and SSW-organised events and activities.
The policy applies across SSW's operations. Each office must follow applicable local health and safety laws and maintain procedures appropriate to its location. Where local requirements impose a higher standard, those requirements apply.
Adam owns and approves this policy and is responsible for ensuring SSW provides the resources, oversight and support needed to implement it.
State Managers are responsible for day-to-day implementation, including:
Delegating tasks does not remove SSW's or its officers' legal responsibilities.
Everyone carrying out work for SSW must:
SSW will consult affected workers, and health and safety representatives where applicable, when identifying hazards, deciding controls or making changes that affect safety.
State Managers will coordinate a process to:
Workers may raise safety matters directly with their State Manager at any time. At client sites and shared workplaces, SSW will cooperate and coordinate with the other organisations responsible for safety.
Report workplace injuries, illnesses, near misses and hazards by email to your State Manager, CCing Adam Cogan at info@ssw.com.au. Include what happened, when and where it happened, any immediate action taken and any assistance needed.
For urgent dangers, alert your State Manager or another responsible person immediately. Do not wait for an email response. Call local emergency services where needed.
If you are uncomfortable reporting to your State Manager, contact another State Manager or Adam directly. Concerns involving Adam should go directly to Levi Jackson at levijackson@ssw.com.au, without CCing Adam.
The responsible manager will assess the report, arrange immediate controls where necessary, investigate appropriately, document follow-up actions and confirm the outcome with the reporter. If a concern remains unresolved, raise it again through an alternative contact above.
Reports will be handled sensitively, with information shared only where needed to respond, protect people or meet legal obligations. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Internal reporting does not replace required notification to a regulator or insurer. SSW will ensure notifiable incidents are reported within applicable timeframes and incident sites are preserved where required, subject to permitted actions such as helping an injured person or making the area safe.
If work presents an immediate serious risk, stop the affected activity, move to safety and alert the appropriate person. Do not resume until the risk has been addressed.
Each office must maintain emergency arrangements appropriate to its premises, occupants and risks. These must address evacuation, emergency contacts, assembly points, medical assistance and support for people who may need help evacuating.
Workers must know the local arrangements and participate in relevant training and drills. Emergency plans must be tested and reviewed as required by local requirements and the plan.
In an emergency:
SSW will provide accessible first aid equipment and access to appropriately trained first aiders, based on each workplace's risks, location and staffing.
State Managers must ensure workers know where to find first aid equipment and who to contact. Arrangements must account for leave, absences and remote working patterns.
Required qualifications must be maintained and renewed as appropriate. Appointment as a State Manager does not, by itself, qualify someone to act as a first aider or fire warden.
Workers must complete a home-workspace safety self-check during induction and before starting work from home. The check must be repeated whenever their home workspace changes, including changes to the room, desk, chair or equipment.
The check covers:
Workers must send their dated results and identified issues to their State Manager for review. The manager and worker will agree and record corrective actions. Where the workspace cannot be made safe, they must agree a safe alternative.
New hazards or discomfort must be reported promptly, even if the workspace has not changed.
Practical guidance and the self-check are included in SSW's Work health & safety induction item, supported by SSW's rules on ergonomic setup and dedicated working spaces.
SSW will identify and manage work-related psychological risks, including excessive workloads, fatigue, unclear expectations, inadequate support, isolation, bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Managers must address contributing work conditions and behaviours, consult affected workers and follow up on agreed changes.
Workers should raise concerns through the reporting channels above. State Managers, Adam and Levi can help address workplace concerns and discuss appropriate support. Professional health advice should be sought where needed.
Workers must maintain clear access routes, use suitable equipment, take appropriate breaks and vary posture during prolonged desk work. Seek assistance before lifting or moving items that cannot be handled safely.
At client sites, follow local inductions and safety procedures and report unsafe conditions to both the site contact and SSW.
Work-related travel and events must be planned with relevant risks in mind, including fatigue, transport, venue safety and local conditions. Do not drive when impaired or too fatigued to do so safely.
Smoking is prohibited in SSW offices and company vehicles, and in client offices and client vehicles.
Alcohol is prohibited during work hours and at SSW-organised events and activities. Workers must not perform work while impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication.
Workers who are unwell must take appropriate steps to avoid exposing others to infection and follow applicable public health advice. Discuss any work restrictions or adjustments needed with the appropriate manager, sharing only health information necessary for that purpose.
WHS training forms part of induction. Additional instruction or training will be provided when procedures, work activities or risks change, following relevant incidents, or where a need is identified.
There is no scheduled annual general WHS refresher requirement under this policy. Role-specific qualification renewals, emergency training and legally required training must still be completed.
State Managers will retain incident reports, home-workspace checks and follow-up records securely, with access limited to those who need them. Records will be retained for their purpose and applicable legal obligations, then securely deleted or de-identified.
Adam will ensure this policy is reviewed when relevant laws, operations or risks change, or when incidents or feedback indicate that it needs updating.