WHS Management Plan 2026 to 2027

Purpose. This plan sets the health and safety objectives, risk priorities, programs and responsibilities for CAQA Loom and Last for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.

1.Objectives

The business will reduce the lost time injury frequency rate to below four, achieve full reconciliation of every broken needle event, complete every monthly toolbox talk in every department, and close all corrective actions within their due dates. Progress will be reported at each monthly quality and safety meeting.

2.Principal hazards and controls

The risk register identifies the principal hazards across both sites and the controls that must remain in place. Each hazard has an owner who verifies the controls quarterly.

• Cutting knives and band knives: guards, mesh gloves, blade change procedure, training
• Sewing machine needles: needle guards, needle control program, eye protection at bar tackers
• Presses and steam: guarding, two-hand controls, heat-resistant gloves, boiler inspection
• Chemicals: register, safety data sheets, extraction, personal protective equipment, spill kits
• Manual handling of rolls, hides and cartons: roll trolleys, hide table height, carton weight limit of 16 kilograms
• Noise on the sewing floor: hearing protection zones and annual noise assessment
• Forklift and pedestrian traffic: marked walkways, speed limit, licensed operators only

3.Risk matrix

Risk ratings combine likelihood (rare, unlikely, possible, likely, almost certain) and consequence (first aid, medical treatment, lost time, serious injury, fatality). Ratings of high or extreme require immediate action and General Manager sign-off on the control plan. Medium ratings require action within 30 days. Low ratings are managed through routine procedures.

4.Programs for the year

The year's programs include replacing the two remaining unguarded band knife blades with enclosed guards by October 2026, completing the noise assessment on the sewing floor in November 2026, installing a second eyewash station in the dye studio by September 2026, rolling out solvent exposure monitoring in the footwear workshop each month, and running the emergency evacuation drill at each site in October 2026.

5.Training

Every worker will hold a current site induction and machine induction recorded in the training matrix. First aiders, fire wardens, forklift operators and health and safety representatives will be trained or refreshed on the schedule in the matrix. Students on placement will complete the site induction before entering production areas.

6.Emergency management

Each site holds an emergency plan with evacuation diagrams, assembly points and warden lists. Fire extinguishers and eyewash stations will be inspected every six months. The chemical spill response at Preston will be practised with the evacuation drill.

7.Monitoring and review

The Quality and WHS Coordinator will report incident numbers, open actions, inspection findings and training completion each month. This plan will be reviewed at the end of the financial year and updated for any change in legislation, equipment or site layout.