Product Overview

This General Logistics Delivery and Goods Handling Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, implement controls, and support safe, efficient movement of goods across a range of delivery and handling scenarios while maintaining WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of logistics planning, transport, loading, unloading, and on-site distribution of materials to help manage High Risk Construction Work and general workplace risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordination of delivery and pickup operations to minimise site disruption and safety risks
• Control of equipment delivery and removal, including safe loading, securing, and unloading of plant and machinery
• Corry wheel and trolley transportation, including manual handling techniques and route selection to prevent strain and collision
• Delivering to multi-storey buildings using lifts, stairwells, hoists, and loading docks with appropriate traffic and access controls
• Delivery and distribution of materials on site, including segregation of pedestrian and vehicle movements
• Delivery of supply materials to construction, warehouse, and commercial premises with safe loading zone set-up
• Management of inbound and outbound shipments, including documentation checks, load integrity, and quarantine of damaged goods
• Managing commercial bulk orders, palletised loads, and large consignments with appropriate lifting equipment and storage controls
• On-site deliveries using utes, vans, trucks, and trailers, including reversing, spotters, and safe parking arrangements
• Packaging products for dispatch, including selection of packaging, labelling, and securing goods to prevent in-transit damage
• Scheduling movement of heavy loads to avoid peak times and ensure competent operators and suitable handling equipment are available
• Transport of goods and materials by road vehicles, including load restraint, route planning, and fatigue management considerations
• Transportation of bagged materials with controls for manual handling, stacking, and dust exposure
• Transporting finished goods to clients, warehouses, or distribution centres while maintaining product integrity and traceability
• Transporting fragile items using cushioning, correct stacking, and “fragile” marking to prevent breakage and associated hazards
• Use of forklifts, pallet jacks, and mechanical aids to reduce manual handling risks during loading and unloading
• Housekeeping and storage practices in loading bays, docks, and staging areas to prevent slips, trips, and falls

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for logistics providers, freight and courier companies, warehouse and distribution centres, construction material suppliers, and site supervisors managing deliveries and goods handling activities on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks in logistics and delivery operations
• Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination – Requirements for consultation between PCBUs, contractors, and delivery drivers
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and repetitive handling of goods and materials
• Code of Practice: Traffic Management for Workplaces (where adopted by jurisdiction) – Managing interaction between vehicles, mobile plant, and pedestrians during deliveries
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Safe use of forklifts, pallet jacks, and other mechanical handling equipment
• AS/NZS 4801 Occupational health and safety management systems – Framework for integrating this SWMS into an organisation’s WHS management system
• AS 2359 Powered industrial trucks – Safety requirements for forklifts used in loading and unloading goods
• AS/NZS 4380 Cargo restraint systems – Requirements for load restraint during road transport of goods and materials
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017