COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Safety Leadership in Building & Construction Workplaces course. This training is designed to equip you with the leadership knowledge, legal understanding, and practical skills required to promote and maintain a strong safety culture on construction sites.

Effective safety leadership is not just about enforcing rules—it is about shaping attitudes, modelling behaviours, and fostering a workplace culture where safety is valued at every level. As construction projects grow in complexity, the role of safety leadership becomes increasingly critical to preventing incidents, maintaining compliance, and protecting the physical and psychological wellbeing of all site personnel.

This course begins by defining what safety leadership means within the context of building and construction. Participants will explore the distinction between safety leadership and safety management, understand the influence that leadership behaviours have on worker engagement, and reflect on their legal and ethical obligations under Australian WHS law, particularly in high-risk operational settings.

Understanding WHS legislation is a foundational element of effective safety leadership. This section covers the core responsibilities of Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), officers, and workers under the WHS Act 2011 and supporting regulations. Concepts such as due diligence, consultation, and the principle of ‘reasonably practicable’ steps are unpacked to ensure that leaders understand their roles in both proactive and reactive safety practices.

The development of a positive safety culture begins with leadership. Participants will learn how to set the tone for safety on-site, influence team behaviours through their own conduct, and create an environment where safety is embedded in everyday decision-making. This section reinforces how leadership consistency and personal accountability can drive lasting improvements in WHS performance.

Leading by example is a core principle of behavioural safety. This section focuses on how to model safe behaviours, avoid mixed messages, and intervene when unsafe practices are observed—regardless of seniority or role. Participants will examine the real-world consequences of inaction and the importance of holding everyone to the same safety standard.

Planning for safety begins well before boots hit the ground. This section explores how to integrate WHS considerations into project planning, identify safety risks at each construction stage, and include measurable safety goals within broader strategic and scheduling frameworks.

As leaders, the ability to conduct and guide risk assessments is vital. Participants will be shown how to lead hazard identification sessions, assess risks using appropriate tools, and ensure that control measures are implemented according to the hierarchy of control. Supervisory validation of controls and worker consultation are emphasised throughout.

Effective communication underpins all safety initiatives. This section provides strategies for leading pre-starts and toolbox talks, structuring discussions to ensure clarity and relevance, and encouraging participation through inclusive and respectful facilitation. Documentation of attendance, actions, and feedback is also addressed as a compliance and performance measure.

Clear communication is also essential beyond briefings. This section focuses on how to speak assertively, listen actively, and overcome barriers such as language differences and low literacy levels. Leaders will gain tools for resolving misunderstandings while maintaining trust and clarity.

Trust and consultation form the backbone of a strong safety culture. This section explains how to engage Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), create safe spaces for open dialogue, and encourage reporting of hazards, near misses, and improvement suggestions without fear of reprisal.

Site inspections are a key tool for proactive safety leadership. This section guides participants on how to plan and conduct safety walks, identify unsafe conditions and behaviours, and follow up with corrective actions. Leaders will learn how to use inspections as an opportunity for worker engagement and WHS coaching.

Supervising the correct use of PPE, plant, and equipment is central to operational safety. Participants will explore how to enforce compliance, respond to non-conformance appropriately, and ensure equipment maintenance, access controls, and procedures are upheld across teams and subcontractors.

Supporting mental health is part of a leader’s WHS responsibility. This section introduces how to recognise signs of psychological strain, refer workers to appropriate support services, and foster an inclusive and respectful workplace that reduces stigma and enhances wellbeing.

Construction involves high-risk activities that demand strong leadership oversight. This section outlines how to provide direction during hazardous work such as confined space entry, work at heights, and crane operations. Participants will learn how to lead permit processes, ensure SWMS adherence, and maintain emergency readiness.

Incident response requires calm, coordinated leadership. This section teaches how to respond to injuries or serious incidents, communicate with emergency services and regulators, and lead post-incident reviews that focus on causation, support, and systemic improvement.

Coaching plays a critical role in developing safety awareness. This section explains how to mentor junior staff, identify training needs, and recognise safe behaviours through positive reinforcement. The goal is to raise WHS capability across the entire team through deliberate, ongoing leadership.

Contractor safety must be actively managed. This section shows how to onboard subcontractors, verify their systems and licences, and maintain oversight of compliance and reporting obligations—ensuring that all personnel meet the same high safety standards, regardless of their employment arrangement.

Safety performance must be measured to drive improvement. Participants will learn how to use audits, checklists, and KPIs to evaluate WHS outcomes, identify trends, and develop targeted action plans. A focus is placed on closing the loop through review, reflection, and transparent reporting.

Finally, sustaining safety leadership requires commitment beyond a single job. This section discusses how to apply lessons learned from project to project, promote WHS innovation, and ensure safety leadership becomes a consistent, visible priority embedded in the core values of every construction team.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the leadership skills, legislative knowledge, and practical techniques to lead safety from the front—creating construction workplaces where safety is not just managed, but actively championed.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Safety Leadership in Construction

• Definition of safety leadership and its role in construction sites
• The difference between safety leadership and safety management
• Legal and ethical responsibilities of leaders in high-risk industries

2. Understanding WHS Legislation and Leadership Obligations

• Overview of the WHS Act 2011 and supporting regulations
• Duties of PCBU, officers, and workers under WHS law
• Key concepts: due diligence, consultation, and reasonably practicable steps

3. The Role of Leadership in Creating a Safety Culture

• Characteristics of a positive safety culture
• How leadership attitudes influence worker behaviour
• Empowering teams to prioritise safety in daily decisions

4. Leading by Example: Behavioural Safety in Action

• Modelling safe work behaviours and compliance
• The impact of inconsistency on site safety standards
• Accountability for unsafe actions by others

5. Planning for Safety in Construction Activities

• Integrating WHS into project and task planning
• Identifying safety considerations for each stage of the build
• Including WHS goals in strategic site plans

6. Conducting Risk Assessments as a Leader

• Leading the identification of hazards in the workplace
• Supervising and validating control measures
• Ensuring the hierarchy of control is properly applied

7. Leading Pre-Start Meetings and Toolbox Talks

• Structuring and delivering effective safety briefings
• Encouraging participation and feedback from workers
• Documenting attendance, discussions, and actions

8. Communication Strategies for Safety Leadership

• Using clear, assertive, and respectful communication
• Managing language barriers and low literacy levels
• Listening actively and responding constructively to concerns

9. Building Trust and Consultation with Workers

• Creating a space for open and honest safety conversations
• Engaging Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Encouraging reporting of near misses and safety suggestions

10. Leading Safety Walks and Inspections

• Planning and conducting structured site safety inspections
• Identifying and addressing unsafe conditions or behaviours
• Communicating findings and corrective actions effectively

11. Supervising Use of PPE, Equipment, and Safe Practices

• Enforcing correct use of PPE and adherence to procedures
• Ensuring plant and equipment are used safely and maintained
• Responding to non-compliance with clear consequences

12. Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing Onsite

• Recognising signs of fatigue, stress, or substance misuse
• Providing access to support services
• Promoting a respectful, inclusive work environment

13. Managing High-Risk Construction Activities

• Providing leadership during work at heights, confined spaces, and crane operations
• Ensuring SWMS and permits are implemented and followed
• Supervising emergency readiness for high-risk tasks

14. Incident Response and Emergency Leadership

• Responding promptly to injuries, near misses, and serious incidents
• Coordinating with emergency services and WHS investigators
• Supporting affected workers and reviewing causal factors

15. Coaching and Developing Safety Awareness in Teams

• Identifying skill gaps and training needs in WHS knowledge
• Providing mentorship and guidance to junior workers
• Recognising and reinforcing positive safety behaviour

16. Managing Contractor and Subcontractor Safety

• Ensuring subcontractors are inducted and briefed on site safety rules
• Reviewing WHS systems, licences, and documentation
• Monitoring contractor compliance and reporting obligations

17. Measuring and Reviewing Safety Performance

• Using KPIs, checklists, and audits to assess WHS outcomes
• Analysing trends in incidents, near misses, and inspection data
• Leading continuous improvement in safety systems

18. Sustaining Safety Leadership Across Projects

• Carrying leadership practices from project to project
• Sharing lessons learned and promoting innovation
• Embedding safety as a core value within construction teams

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.