Product Overview

This Delivery Driver Operations SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for delivery driving activities on Australian worksites, roads, and customer premises. It provides end-to-end coverage of planning, loading, driving, parking, and delivery tasks to support WHS compliance and safer transport operations for workers and contractors.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning of delivery routes, schedules, and rest breaks to minimise time pressure and fatigue-related risks
• Pre-start inspection of delivery vehicles, including tyres, lights, mirrors, brakes, load restraints, and safety equipment
• Safe loading and unloading of vehicles, including the use of trolleys, pallet jacks, and mechanical aids
• Selection and use of appropriate load restraint systems to prevent shifting, falling, or damage in transit
• Manual handling of parcels, cartons, and bulky items to reduce the risk of sprains, strains, and musculoskeletal injuries
• Operation of vehicles in urban, suburban, and regional areas, including speed management and defensive driving techniques
• Parking and stopping in busy streets, loading zones, driveways, and customer sites while controlling risks to pedestrians and other road users
• Managing interaction with forklifts, trucks, and other mobile plant in loading docks and warehouse environments
• Working around public and customer areas, including door-to-door deliveries and access to residential or commercial premises
• Use of navigation devices, mobile phones, and in-vehicle technology while complying with distracted driving laws
• Fatigue management for delivery drivers, including rest breaks, hydration, and reporting of fatigue-related concerns
• Emergency procedures for vehicle breakdowns, collisions, near misses, and incidents during delivery runs
• Management of adverse weather conditions, low visibility, and night-time driving during deliveries
• Incident reporting, consultation, and toolbox talks to continually improve delivery driver safety practices

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for courier companies, freight and logistics providers, retail and wholesale businesses with in-house delivery drivers, labour hire providers, and site supervisors responsible for managing delivery operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with vehicles and mobile plant
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Relevant where drivers access vehicle trays, tailgates, and loading docks
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling delivery items
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for amenities, rest breaks, and driver welfare
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery (relevant parts): Applicable where mechanical aids such as powered pallet jacks or dock levellers are used
• AS/NZS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (superseded but still referenced in some systems): Provides principles for structured safety management