COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Safety Leadership in Supply Chain Operations course. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, capabilities, and leadership strategies needed to build and sustain a proactive safety culture across warehousing, transport, and distribution environments. In high-risk, fast-paced supply chain settings, strong safety leadership is essential—not only for legal compliance but for fostering shared accountability and operational excellence.

This course begins by defining safety leadership within the logistics and supply chain context. Participants will explore the difference between safety compliance—meeting minimum obligations—and safety leadership, which actively shapes the attitudes and behaviours that prevent incidents before they occur. Emphasis is placed on the influential role of frontline leaders in modelling expectations, setting standards, and engaging teams in safe work practices.

Understanding workplace health and safety legislation is central to leadership accountability. This section outlines the responsibilities of officers, supervisors, and PCBUs under the WHS Act and Regulations 2011. Participants will gain insight into due diligence duties, supervisory liability, and the broader legal framework governing freight yards, warehouses, and transport operations across Australia.

Leaders must be adept at identifying hazards across the full scope of supply chain environments. This section examines risks specific to loading docks, forklifts, freight handling, and transport routes. High-risk activities such as manual handling, fatigue management, and working around moving equipment are addressed, along with strategies for proactively recognising and reporting unsafe conditions.

Risk assessment is a leadership responsibility, not just a compliance task. This section provides tools and techniques for leading both formal and informal assessments, applying the hierarchy of control effectively, and involving frontline workers in real-time risk identification and control implementation.

Planning for safety begins with task preparation. Participants will learn how to integrate WHS into shift planning, verify that job safety analyses (JSAs) and SWMS are understood and followed, and ensure that pre-start checks are completed before equipment use or task commencement.

Toolbox talks and safety briefings are critical communication tools for any supervisor. This section teaches participants how to structure brief, engaging safety discussions, using seasonal risks, incident data, or task-specific hazards to encourage awareness and worker contribution.

Supervisors play a vital role in monitoring hazardous zones and high-risk activities. This section explores leadership techniques for overseeing forklift operations, high racking work, dock safety, and exclusion zone enforcement. Immediate corrective action and visible leadership presence are key to setting consistent expectations.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment readiness are daily safety touchpoints. This section focuses on verifying correct PPE use, conducting equipment spot checks, and following up on corrective actions to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

Encouraging hazard and near-miss reporting is a core element of a positive safety culture. This section provides strategies for reducing fear of reprisal, promoting transparency, and recognising workers who actively contribute to hazard awareness and prevention.

Incident response requires composure and competence from leaders. This section covers first-response responsibilities during injuries, collisions, or chemical spills, including area containment, worker support, and coordination with emergency services and reporting systems.

Effective leaders investigate incidents with a systems-based approach. Participants will learn to lead fair, root cause–oriented investigations, identify procedural or cultural contributors to incidents, and develop corrective actions that address both individual and systemic failings.

Coaching is central to reinforcing safe behaviours. This section outlines how to provide constructive real-time feedback, guide teams without blame, and lead by example to reinforce safe standards throughout daily operations.

Empowering workers to speak up about safety enhances engagement. This section provides practical methods to encourage stop-work authority, peer-to-peer accountability, and continuous safety dialogue that includes suggestions and worker-led improvements.

Fatigue and mental health are growing concerns in the supply chain industry. This section supports leaders in identifying early signs of fatigue or psychological strain, pacing operational demands, and promoting resources such as EAPs or peer support programs.

Contractor safety must align with internal standards. Participants will learn how to verify contractor inductions and licences, monitor external compliance on shared worksites, and ensure coordinated safety expectations across subcontracted teams.

Clear communication of safety goals is essential for team alignment. This section explores how to translate organisational KPIs into meaningful team actions, use data to inform daily operations, and link performance metrics with leadership responsibilities.

Participation in audits and inspections is part of a leader’s accountability. This section provides guidance on preparing documentation, involving teams in audit readiness, and following through on improvement actions to maintain regulatory compliance.

Finally, safety leadership requires adaptability and resilience. This section supports participants in leading procedural changes, managing resistance, and embedding safer practices through consistent modelling and clear communication.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the leadership insight, legal understanding, and practical tools necessary to drive safety performance, model high standards, and embed a proactive safety culture throughout supply chain operations.

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 Supply Chain Operations

• Defining safety leadership in the logistics and supply chain context
• Distinction between safety compliance and safety leadership
• Role of frontline leaders in driving a proactive safety culture

2. Understanding WHS Legislation and Leadership Responsibilities

• Key duties under the WHS Act and Regulations 2011
• Officer obligations, due diligence, and liability for leaders
• Supervisory accountability across warehouse, transport, and freight handling

3. Identifying Hazards Across the Supply Chain

• Common risks in warehousing, loading docks, and freight yards
• Transport-specific hazards: fatigue, load restraint, route risks
• High-risk work involving forklifts, conveyors, and manual handling

4. Risk Assessment and Control in Operational Leadership

• Leading formal and informal risk assessments
• Applying the hierarchy of controls in high-volume environments
• Involving workers in identifying and mitigating daily risks

5. Leading Safe Work Planning and Job Preparation

• Integrating WHS into shift planning and daily task allocation
• Reviewing SWMS and JSA documentation with teams
• Verifying pre-start checks and safe equipment setup

6. Conducting Effective Toolbox Talks and Safety Briefings

• Structuring short, impactful safety communications
• Using incident learnings, near-miss data, or seasonal risks
• Engaging the team and encouraging two-way input

7. Supervising High-Risk Activities and Hazardous Zones

• Monitoring safe use of forklifts, high racking, dock levellers, and MHE
• Enforcing exclusion zones, pedestrian paths, and safety systems
• Taking corrective action immediately upon non-compliance

8. Monitoring PPE Compliance and Equipment Readiness

• Ensuring proper PPE selection, usage, and maintenance
• Verifying tool condition, machine guarding, and vehicle roadworthiness
• Conducting spot checks and follow-up on corrective actions

9. Promoting a Culture of Hazard and Near-Miss Reporting

• Reducing fear of reporting and reinforcing a just culture
• Ensuring visibility of hazard trends and lessons learned
• Recognising individuals who contribute to hazard identification

10. Leading Incident Response and First Response Coordination

• Taking control during injuries, spills, collisions, or load failures
• Coordinating emergency response until professionals arrive
• Securing the area, supporting affected workers, and initiating reports

11. Investigating Incidents with a Systems-Based Approach

• Leading objective, non-punitive root cause investigations
• Identifying procedural or systemic gaps behind unsafe outcomes
• Developing corrective and preventive actions in collaboration with WHS teams

12. Coaching Safe Behaviours and Reinforcing Expectations

• Providing real-time feedback and guidance during tasks
• Addressing unsafe actions with coaching, not punishment
• Reinforcing standards through positive leadership presence

13. Empowering Workers to Speak Up and Take Ownership

• Encouraging stop-work authority and peer-to-peer accountability
• Running safety conversations and suggestion programs
• Recognising worker-led safety improvements

14. Managing Fatigue and Mental Health in Operations

• Identifying fatigue risks in shift work and peak demand periods
• Leading by example in workload pacing and rest break compliance
• Creating a psychologically safe environment to raise wellbeing concerns

15. Supporting Safety Across Contractors and Third-Party Providers

• Verifying inductions, competencies, and licences
• Monitoring subcontractor performance and behaviour on site
• Coordinating safety expectations in multi-employer settings

16. Communicating Safety Objectives and KPIs

• Sharing organisational WHS goals and progress updates
• Translating safety performance data into team discussions
• Linking safety KPIs to leadership accountability

17. Participating in Audits, Inspections, and Compliance Reviews

• Preparing documentation and evidence for internal and external audits
• Involving team members in walkthroughs and safety observations
• Following up on non-conformances and corrective actions

18. Leading Change for Safer Work Practices

• Supporting procedural changes, retraining, or equipment upgrades
• Overcoming resistance to new safety measures or controls
• Reinforcing changes through modelling and consistent messaging

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”.