Product Overview

This Delivery Driver Courier and Goods Handling SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement effective controls for courier, delivery and goods handling operations. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of delivery driving, vehicle operation, and manual handling to support WHS compliance and safer transport of goods across Australian workplaces.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Driving delivery vehicles safely in urban, suburban and regional environments
• Operation of delivery vans, utes and light trucks, including pre-start checks and defect reporting
• Manoeuvring through narrow passages, laneways and congested alleys with limited clearance
• Parking vehicles safely in already full car parks and high-traffic areas
• Parking vehicles on non-stable or uneven surfaces while maintaining vehicle stability
• Reversing onto loading docks, ramps and tight access points using spotters and mirrors
• Managing road safety during deliveries, including speed, fatigue, distraction and mobile phone use
• Slow speed operation in residential areas to protect pedestrians, children and other vulnerable road users
• Travelling between locations and multiple sites with route planning and journey management controls
• Transporting deliveries with trolleys, pallet jacks and other manual handling equipment
• Moving large appliances and range fridges from truck to store using trolleys and team lifts
• Unloading large appliances and bulky items from vehicles while minimising crush and strain injuries
• Managing unclear signage or directions at delivery sites, including communication with clients and supervisors
• Securing loads in delivery vehicles to prevent shifting, damage or loss during transit
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and housekeeping practices around loading zones and delivery points

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for couriers, delivery drivers, appliance and whitegoods installers, retail and warehouse delivery teams, logistics providers, and site supervisors responsible for managing delivery and goods handling activities.

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 safe use of vehicles, trolleys and other plant used during deliveries and handling goods
• Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for hazardous manual handling, including lifting, pushing and pulling large appliances and freight
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Requirements for preventing falls when working on ramps, loading docks and vehicle access steps
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Applicable where cleaning agents, refrigerants or other hazardous substances are transported or handled
• AS/NZS 4801 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: Principles for systematic management of health and safety risks in delivery operations
• AS 2359 Powered Industrial Trucks: Relevant where forklifts interface with delivery vehicles during loading and unloading
• Australian Road Rules & Heavy Vehicle National Law (where applicable): Requirements for on-road driving, load restraint and vehicle operation during deliveries