Prepare

Decide and Resource

The decision to gain FSC WHS Accreditation is an opportunity to improve your safety systems and according to the FSC, proving to help businesses manage safety more effectively, cut down on injury-related costs, and lower workers’ comp premiums. Plus, it can open doors to major government contracts.

Accreditation curently takes 3-5 months (fast-tracked) but how quickly you gain accreditation will depend on:

• how well your current WHS Managenment System (WHSMS) and onsite practices meet FSC Audit Criteria; and
• how well-resourced you are to address any gaps.

Sign up for your free BeSafeReady support package here and let’s start looking at your safety systems, what you have in place, and help you prepare for FSC WHS accreditation. 

Assess your WHSMS against FSC Audit Criteria.

1. Start with a free, initial check on your safety systems with the Self Evaluation Safety System Diagnostic tool
2. Review the findings with our WHS consulatants to identify where you are on the journey of accreditation and what your specific needs are in line with FSC Audit Criteria guidelines.
3. Don’t have a safety managemenmt system? Use our Safety Management System Starter Template to build the foundation to develop your own Work Health Safety Management System (BeSafeReady Support Pack required for access – click here to apply)
4. Develop your WHS Documentation ahead of application and commence implementing your safety management system.

Start using your safety management system.

• You must be implementing your system before applying.
• Still need assistance? The FSC auditors have support to assist you resolve any final issues. 

Need external support to resolve gaps? Contact Ai Group’s WHS consultants.

Apply

Stage 1: Complete Application

Submit your application online through FSC Online.

Stage 2: Systems Validation Audit (SVA)

• You will be contacted by the FSC for an online audit which is a desktop gap analysis of your WHSMS against the FSC Audit Criteria.
• This typically takes 2 days.

Results from your SVA

• Result 1 – “successful”: assessed as suitable to progress to Stage 3: an on-site accreditation audit.
• Result 2 – “not successful”: Gaps in the WHSMS are identified and a rolling SVA begins. ie. You can address and resubmit specific gaps as you go. You don’t need to correct everything before submitting again.
• A Federal Safety Officer (FSO) will be appointed to your business to provide up to 40hrs of support to improve gaps and meet audit criteria.

Stage 3: On-site Accreditation Audit 

• On-site accreditation audit, at a site of the applicant’s choice, to verify the implementation of WHS procedures and practices on-site.
• This typically takes 2 days.

FSC WHS Accreditation granted

• Initial accreditation period is up to 3 years.
• To remain accredited, “reaccreditation” is required. After the initial 3 years, accreditation may be granted up to 6 years.

For more information on the accreditation process, see the FSC’s info here.

Maintain

Ongoing audits

Federal Safety Officers (FSOs) conduct the on-site audits against the WHS Accreditation Scheme Audit Criteria, which cover three key areas:

• WHS management systems criteria
• Focus point criteria
• Hazard criteria

More info on auditing can be seen here.

Ongoing reports ( Scheme Biannual Report)

Companies must submit Scheme Biannual Reports via FSC Online every six months

More info on reporting can be seen here.