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What This Checklist Is
This checklist is a practical self-review tool that helps businesses reflect on how sexual and gender-based harassment risks are identified and managed at work. It is commonly used during internal reviews, planning activities, or improvement discussions where behaviour, culture, and interactions affect workplace safety. The checklist is intended for owners, managers, and supervisors who want a clear way to sense-check how these risks are addressed in everyday Work Health and Safety practice.
It is a practical review tool, not a compliance test and not legal advice.
How This Checklist Relates to the Code of Practice
A WHS Code of Practice describes accepted ways of managing Work Health and Safety risks in Australia. This checklist reflects the key themes of the Code by focusing on how sexual and gender-based harassment hazards are identified, risks are assessed, and controls are applied in real work settings. Answering “Yes” and “No” helps highlight where current approaches support workplace safety and where gaps or weaknesses may exist.
The checklist supports understanding of good practice without claiming legal alignment.
Why Use a Code of Practice Checklist?
Harassment risks can be overlooked because they are not always visible or openly discussed. A checklist like this helps clarify what “good practice” looks like when managing behaviour-related risks at work. It supports early identification of weak or missing controls and helps businesses set clearer priorities for improvement.
It also supports more informed discussions with workers, advisors, or inspectors about workplace safety and culture.
Key Features
Simple Yes / No checklist format
Written in plain English
Designed for Australian WHS Codes of Practice
Suitable for small and medium businesses
How to Use This Checklist
Work through the questions honestly, based on how people actually experience the workplace rather than how it is intended to operate. The checklist is most useful when answers reflect real interactions, reporting confidence, and management response.
Treat “No” answers as areas needing further attention. Use the results to prioritise practical actions and revisit the checklist when work arrangements, teams, or risks change.
What Inspectors Commonly Expect to See
Inspectors generally focus on how behaviour-related risks are identified and managed in practice, not just on written statements. They look for evidence that concerns can be raised, risks are considered, and steps are taken to prevent harm. Tools like this checklist support informed decision-making by showing that sexual and gender-based harassment risks have been actively reviewed.
Action and understanding usually matter more than paperwork alone. Inspectors often want to see that issues raised lead to meaningful change.
Notes or action lists from checklist reviews
Changes made to risk controls or work practices
Records showing issues were identified and addressed
FAQs
What is sexual and gender-based harassment in a WHS context?
It refers to behaviours that create a risk to health and safety, including unwanted conduct, comments, or actions related to sex or gender. The checklist helps review how these risks are managed at work.
Is this checklist only for large organisations?
No. Sexual and gender-based harassment risks can exist in any workplace, including small businesses. The checklist is designed to be practical and scalable.
Does completing the checklist mean harassment risks are controlled?
No. The checklist helps identify strengths and gaps but does not control risks on its own. It supports review, discussion, and improvement.
When should these risks be reviewed?
Reviews are useful when teams change, concerns are raised, or work arrangements shift. Many businesses also review periodically to maintain awareness.
Articles and Further Reading
Regulation s55A–s55D – Psychosocial Risks – Establishes duties to identify, assess, and control psychosocial hazards, including behaviour-related risks that may impact health and safety.
WHS Act s19 – Primary Duty of Care – Sets out the overarching duty of a person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers.
About the Author
About the Author
Nathan Owen
Nathan has worked in construction for 15 years, primarily in health and safety and site management. He has frontline experience including operating plant and machinery and post-graduate qualifications in health and safety.