
Welcome to the Work Health and Safety (WHS) webpage, a home for resources and information for presbyteries and congregations in the Queensland Synod.
This website will be maintained with up to date resources and tools. Themes will be identified as part of a change management program to embed a zero harm culture into our congregations and presbyteries.
We commit ourselves to the care, protection and safety of all people relating to the Uniting Church or our agencies. This includes, but not exclusively: workers (including contractors and volunteers), individuals in official positions, members of our congregations, students, clients, visitors and members of the public.
This Safety Resource material has been developed to assist the presbyteries and congregations implement processes to effectively and practically manage health and safety at their premises and during the activities they undertake in their mission work.
Resources
- Fact sheet one – Christmas lights
- Web banner
- Social media banner
- A4 poster: national safe work month (PDF | editable)
- There’s no such thing as a safe shock
- Fact sheet two: conducting a safety investigation
October is National Safe Work Month, and the theme for 2019 is “Be a Safety Champion”. This year’s theme demonstrates that anyone, whether you are a member of a church council, a volunteer who welcomes people to the congregation on Sunday morning or someone who assists with working bees once a year, can be a champion work workplace health and safety.
It is everyone’s responsibility to support a safety culture at their workplace and promote best practice initiatives.
This October let’s all strive to be a safety champion.
Resources
A range of resources have been prepared to support congregations throughout National Safe Work Month. These are available below.
- Fact sheet one: mental health: how to maintain good work-life balance
- Fact sheet two: the changing landscape of workplace health and safety in Queensland
- Fact sheet three: how to be a child safe organisation
Over the course of October, more resources will become available. Read Uniting News for further updates.
Nominate your safety champion
To be a Safety Champion, is to be a leader for workplace health and safety within your organisation.
This October, congregations are invited to nominate stories of their safety champions. These can be people who have identified risks, or people who are consistently diligent. Write a short piece a send to the workplace health and safety email address to nominate.

This resource provides an overview of the elements of a safety management system relevant to congregations, although not all elements may be applicable to all congregations. It describes a summary of the key actions recommended and/or required including:
tools to use and
relevant legislation.
Archive resources
Below are a range of the resources/tools to assist you to manage Work Health and Safety (WHS) in your presbyteries and congregations.
- Hazard Report Form
- Risk Assessment Form
- Hazardous Chemicals Register
- Hazardous Chemical Risk Assessment
- Working Bee Safety Checklist
- Qld Health Food Safety in Non-Profit Organisations
- Food Safety Temperature Chart
- Temporary Food Stall Equipment Checklist – Council Network
- Hand Wash Poster – Aust Institute Food Safety
- Kitchen Safety Checklist
- Generic Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for Jumping Castle
- Safe Work Method Statement Template (SWMS) – e.g. High Risk Construction Work e.g. Heights>2m
- WHS Purchasing Checklist
- Guide for Handling and Transporting Cash (Safe Work Australia)
- Chemical Labelling GHS-ADG Quick Guide
- Food Temperature Danger Zone Chart- Food Safety Information Council
- Food Cleaning Sanitise Poster -Aust Institute Food Safety
- Food Safety Tips Poster – Qld Health
- Food Temperature Poster – Qld Health
- Food Fundraising Events Pocket Guide for Not for Profit – Qld Health
- Temporary Food Stall Guide – Design and Operation -Gold Coast Council
- Occupiers Statement (Annual) (QFES)
- Building Classification Certificate
- Annual Property Maintenance Checklist
- Annual Property Checklist Supplementary Information
- Maintenance Schedule
- Electrical Equipment Register
- Switch Test Record Register
- Safety Switch Brochure – Electrical Safety Office
- Asbestos- Containing Materials Register Log
- Asbestos- Containing Materials Management Action Plan
- Ride on Mower Safe Operating Procedure
- Line Trimmer Safe Operating Procedure
- Playground Equipment Checklist
- Hot Work Permit
- Fences and safety barriers – children – guidance notes
- Onsite traffic management self-assessment tool – WorkSafe Qld
- Traffic Hazard Checklist (Safe Work Australia)
- Traffic Control Measures Checklist (Safe Work Australia)
- First Aid Kit Contents Checklist
- Bomb Threat Checklist
- Emergency Flip Chart
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) Form
- Evacuation Sign and Diagram Example (QFES)
- Fire and Evacuation Plan for Congregations with more than 100 regular attendees (QFES)
- Fire and Evacuation Plan for Congregations with less than 100 regular attendees (QFES)
- Evacuation Instruction Training Record (QFES)
- Evacuation Practice/Exercise Record and Summary (QFES)
- Annual Evacuation Drill Assessment Template
- Workers’ Compensation Application Form
- Workers’ Compensation Employer Report Form
- Injured- ill Worker Medical Authorisation Form
- Suitable Duties Template
- Qld Synod Workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy, Procedures and Forms
- Qld Synod Insurance and Claims Manual for Presbyteries and Congregations
- Child Care Activities and Sun Safety
- High Pressure Water Spray on Asbestos Roof – WorkSafe QLD
- Is your Congregation or Building Electrically Safe?
- Self-Supporting Signs
- Electrical Safety and Ceiling Spaces
- High ropes adventure courses – WorkSafe QLD
- Fire Potential Kitchen
- Button Batteries – Dept Education QLD
- Festive Season Activities
- Amusement Devices and Amended WHS Regulations
- WorkSafe Qld (Including the Electrical Safety Office and WorkCover Qld)
- Qld Fire and Emergency Services (QFES)
- Australian Men’s Shed Association
- WorkSafe Qld Public Events and Safety
- Safe Work Australia
- SafeWork NSW
- Synod Office HR Policies – (including Ministry Agents in Placement)
- Synod Office HR Policies – Congregation Applicability
Need Assistance with Your Safety Management?
Email: Health.Safety@ucaqld.com.au
Phone: 07 3377 9703