Strengthening Relationships Between Boards and WHS Leaders for Greater WHS Outcomes

March 14, 2025
Blog
2 min read

Safety Sphere Analyst | Mar 14, 2025

Workplace health and safety (WHS) is a critical factor in organisational success, yet many companies struggle with a disconnect between their boards and WHS leaders. This misalignment can lead to ineffective safety strategies, compliance risks, and a failure to cultivate a strong safety culture. To achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in WHS, it is essential that boards and WHS leaders work collaboratively and maintain open communication.

The Problem

A Disconnect That Puts Workplace Health & Safety at Risk

Safety Sphere latest research shows one of the major challenges companies are facing in WHS across Australia,  is the lack of direct engagement between boards and WHS professionals. Too often, WHS is viewed as a compliance obligation rather than a strategic priority. T

This results in:

  • Limited Board Oversight – Many boards rely solely on compliance reports without fully understanding the challenges WHS teams face on the ground.
  • Lack of Investment in WHS Initiatives – Without board buy in, WHS teams struggle to secure funding for initiatives that could improve safety outcomes.
  • Reactive vs Proactive Safety Strategies – Many organisations only prioritise WHS after a major incident, rather than embedding safety into their corporate strategy.
  • Cultural Misalignment – A lack of leadership engagement in WHS can lead to a weak safety culture, where employees do not feel empowered to report hazards or suggest improvements.

The Solution

A Unified Approach to WHS Leadership

To bridge the gap, boards and WHS leaders must establish a strong, collaborative relationship that prioritises safety at the highest levels of decision making. Boards and WHS leaders who are members of Safety Sphere are equipped with the correct tools and support to ensure WHS is integrated into corporate governance, which is enabling companies to achieve:

  1. Enhanced Compliance and Risk Management – A strong board-WHS relationship ensures compliance with evolving safety regulations and reduces the risk of legal repercussions.
  2. Stronger Safety Culture – When safety is championed at the top, it filters down through all levels of an organisation, fostering a proactive approach to WHS.
  3. Improved Employee Wellbeing and Retention – Employees feel more valued and engaged when they see leadership actively prioritising their health and safety.
  4. Better Financial Outcomes – Companies with strong WHS leadership, experience fewer workplace incidents, reducing costs related to workers’ compensation, lost productivity, and legal fees.
  5. Sustained Business Growth –  Organisations that integrate WHS into their corporate strategy build stronger reputations, attract top talent, and position themselves as industry leaders.

Building a Strong Board-WHS Relationship

To achieve these outcomes, Safety Sphere provides boards and WHS members with tailored solutions and roadmaps to enhance stronger collaboration which focuses on:

  • Regular Board Engagement-WHS leaders should have direct communication channels with the board, ensuring that safety is a standing agenda item in board meetings.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making– Boards should use key WHS metrics and insights to drive proactive safety strategies
  • Leadership Accountability– Boards should hold executives accountable for WHS performance, integrating safety KPIs into leadership evaluations.
  • Investment in WHS Technology and Training– Organisations should prioritise continuous improvement through advanced safety technologies, workforce training, and robust reporting systems.

The relationship between an organisation’s board and its WHS leaders is fundamental to achieving stronger WHS outcomes. A disconnected approach not only puts employees at risk but also jeopardises business success.

By becoming a member of Safety Sphere your company will be equipped with a range of tools and offerings that ensure a collaborative, well supported WHS strategy, safer workplaces, enhancing their reputation, and driving long term value to their entire workforce.

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