COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Safety Leadership in Electrical Worksites course. This course has been designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to lead safety effectively in high-risk electrotechnology environments. Strong safety leadership is not only about compliance; it is about influencing culture, setting standards, and ensuring that every team member returns home safely at the end of the day.

This course begins by exploring the concept of safety leadership and how it differs from basic safety management. While safety management focuses on systems and procedures, safety leadership involves active engagement, accountability, and setting the tone for others to follow. In electrical work, where hazards such as arc flash, electrocution, and fire are ever-present, strong leadership can dramatically reduce incidents and improve team performance.

Understanding your legal responsibilities is vital. This section examines the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations, particularly as they relate to electrical tasks. It clarifies the legal duties of PCBUs, officers, supervisors, and workers, and explains the potential consequences of non-compliance, negligence, or failure to enforce safe practices.

Electrical safety risks are unique and often severe. This section reviews the most common hazards associated with electrical installation, repair, and maintenance—such as electric shock, arc flash, confined space hazards, and working at heights—and explains how to identify, communicate, and address these risks as a leader.

A safety-first culture must be actively built. This section highlights how effective leaders foster shared responsibility among workers, encourage proactive reporting and intervention, and challenge complacency when safety becomes routine or overlooked.

Leading by example is a cornerstone of safety leadership. This section encourages leaders to consistently demonstrate the correct use of PPE, follow lockout/tagout and SWMS procedures, and respond promptly and visibly to unsafe behaviour or conditions.

Site inductions and pre-start briefings are key tools in a leader’s toolbox. You will learn how to deliver impactful safety briefings, involve workers in hazard discussions, and document agreed safety measures in a way that promotes engagement and accountability.

Supervising safe work practices goes beyond observation. This section focuses on monitoring compliance in real time, addressing unsafe conduct respectfully but firmly, and coaching workers to reinforce correct practices as part of their daily tasks.

Risk assessment is a dynamic process that leaders must take charge of. This section explains how to lead formal and informal risk assessments, apply the hierarchy of control, and update control measures when conditions change or hazards evolve.

Being prepared for emergencies is non-negotiable. Here, you’ll learn how to lead emergency drills, allocate roles, and maintain composure under pressure. Effective communication during a crisis can mean the difference between a controlled response and chaos.

Incident investigations should be constructive and focused on improvement. This section teaches how to lead root cause analysis without blame, record findings, and implement corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Leadership also includes coaching and mentoring. This section explores how to support apprentices and new workers by building safety awareness, correcting unsafe behaviours, and reinforcing positive habits that lead to long-term cultural change.

Mental health is a key component of worksite safety. This section encourages leaders to recognise signs of stress, fatigue, or mental health issues, promote peer support, and guide workers to appropriate wellbeing resources and support services.

Clear, inclusive communication is essential. This section helps you refine your messaging so it is respectful, assertive, and tailored to your audience—ensuring every team member, regardless of role or experience, understands and contributes to safety goals.

Many leaders must manage safety across multiple teams or subcontractors. You will learn how to coordinate shared workspaces, conduct joint toolbox talks, and maintain safety standards across diverse teams working on the same project.

Safety performance is never static. This section outlines how to use inspections, audit data, and incident reports to identify trends and lead continuous improvement through better procedures, additional training, or equipment upgrades.

Recognition plays a powerful role in reinforcing behaviour. This section introduces formal and informal ways to reward safe work, motivate teams, and celebrate collective achievements in safety culture.

Leadership is not without its challenges. This section addresses common barriers, such as team resistance, conflicting deadlines, or fear of confrontation, and offers strategies for leading confidently and consistently even under pressure.

Finally, personal development is the foundation of leadership. You will be encouraged to reflect on your leadership strengths and gaps, seek feedback from others, and commit to continuous improvement in your ability to influence, support, and lead for safety.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped to lead safety with confidence, contribute to a culture of accountability, and play a key role in reducing risk and protecting lives in every electrical worksite you manage or support.

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 Electrical Work

• Defining safety leadership in the electrotechnology context
• Distinction between safety leadership and safety management
• Benefits of strong safety leadership for individuals and teams

2. Legal Responsibilities and WHS Compliance

• WHS Act and Regulations relevant to electrical work
• Duties of PCBUs, officers, supervisors, and workers
• Legal consequences of safety breaches or negligence

3. Understanding Electrical Safety Risks

• Common hazards in electrical installations and maintenance
• Arc flash, electric shock, and fire risks
• Environmental hazards

4. Building a Safety-First Worksite Culture

• Promoting shared responsibility for safety outcomes
• Encouraging proactive safety behaviours
• Challenging complacency and normalisation of risk

5. Leading by Example in High-Risk Environments

• Demonstrating safe use of PPE and procedures
• Complying with SWMS and lockout/tagout protocols
• Responding immediately to unsafe acts or conditions

6. Conducting Site Safety Inductions and Pre-Start Briefings

• Delivering clear, engaging safety briefings
• Involving team members in hazard discussions
• Recording attendance and agreed actions

7. Supervising Safe Work Practices and Procedures

• Monitoring work zones for compliance
• Addressing shortcuts, non-compliance, or unsafe conduct
• Reinforcing safe habits during routine tasks

8. Risk Assessment and Hazard Control Leadership

• Leading formal and informal risk assessments
• Applying the hierarchy of control
• Reviewing and updating control measures as conditions change

9. Emergency Preparedness and Response Leadership

• Leading emergency drills and response planning
• Assigning roles and responsibilities during incidents
• Communicating clearly under pressure or emergency

10. Incident Investigation and Corrective Action

• Leading incident reporting and root cause analysis
• Conducting safety investigations without blame
• Implementing and reviewing corrective actions

11. Coaching and Mentoring for Safety Awareness

• Providing guidance to apprentices and new workers
• Addressing unsafe behaviours through coaching
• Reinforcing positive safety habits

12. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing on Site

• Recognising signs of stress, fatigue, or burnout
• Encouraging open conversations and peer support
• Connecting workers with mental health resources

13. Communicating Effectively as a Safety Leader

• Adapting messages to suit diverse teams
• Using clear, assertive, and respectful communication
• Ensuring all voices are heard in safety discussions

14. Managing Safety Across Multiple Subcontractors or Teams

• Coordinating shared work areas and responsibilities
• Holding joint toolbox talks and safety walk-throughs
• Ensuring subcontractor compliance with site rules

15. Continuous Improvement in Safety Performance

• Using data from audits, inspections, and incidents
• Identifying trends and areas for improvement
• Leading change through revised practices or training

16. Recognition and Reinforcement of Safe Behaviour

• Acknowledging safe work habits and team efforts
• Creating informal and formal reward systems
• Celebrating milestones in safety performance

17. Overcoming Barriers to Safety Leadership

• Addressing resistance or apathy among team members
• Managing conflicting priorities under pressure
• Building confidence to intervene or speak up

18. Developing Personal Safety Leadership Capability

• Reflecting on leadership strengths and gaps
• Seeking feedback and mentoring
• Setting goals for continuous leadership growth

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”.