How to Set Your WHS Strategy Up for Success in 2026

alannaball
3 days ago
2 min read

As the year winds down and inboxes begin to quiet, there’s a golden opportunity that many businesses miss: setting up your WHS (Workplace Health and Safety) strategy before the chaos of January kicks in.

Most businesses wait until the new year to begin planning—but by then, it’s often rushed, reactionary, or disconnected from broader business goals. If safety is truly a priority (and let’s be honest, it should be), then it deserves a seat at the 2026 planning table now.

Why Your WHS Strategy Needs Attention in December

A proactive WHS strategy is about more than compliance. Done well, it improves:

Employee retention and wellbeing
Operational efficiency
Risk mitigation
Organisational culture

Waiting to build your plan until January means valuable time lost—and often, unclear direction from the get-go. December is the sweet spot for review, reflection, and alignment.

5 Questions to Ask Before Setting Your 2026 WHS Goals

What actually worked in 2025?
- What initiatives had visible impact?
- What practices became part of daily culture?
Where were your biggest risks?
- What incidents, near misses, or complaints surfaced?
- Where are your WHS blind spots?
Is leadership aligned on WHS priorities?
- Are your directors and senior leaders walking the talk?
Are we just compliant… or truly connected?
- Does your WHS approach reflect your values, culture, and people?
What systems or training need an upgrade?
- Is your current system still serving you?
- Are teams clear on their WHS roles and responsibilities?

What a Great WHS Strategy Looks Like

It’s not about filling out templates or ticking boxes. A strong WHS strategy is:

Leadership-driven
Culture-embedded
Actionable and flexible
Reviewed regularly and owned by the team

It considers physical, psychological, and cultural safety. It aligns with business objectives. It’s something people engage with, not just sign off on.