October is National Safe Work Month – and it’s an opportunity for everyone in our heavy vehicle industry to take a moment to reflect on what safety really means in our workplaces.
At the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), we define safety culture as how people think, talk about, and act on safety – from the office to the workshop to the driver’s seat. Everyone in the business has a role to play in creating and maintaining safe practices. From loading a vehicle to planning routes, safety decisions happen in every task, large or small.
So, why does a positive safety culture matter? Fostering a positive safety culture offers numerous benefits for businesses that utilise heavy vehicles in their operations. You can have all the right paperwork, policies, and safety equipment but if people feel rushed, ignored or afraid to speak up, things can go wrong. A good safety culture builds trust and helps prevent mistakes before they happen, creating a workplace where safety isn’t just a box to tick but how we work every day.
Leaders in every business – owners, supervisors, managers – set the tone. If you make safety a priority, your team will follow. This means more than just talking about safety, it means showing it in your decisions, listening to your team, remaining transparent, consistently engaging in safe behaviours, and making time for regular safety chats and training.
Safety also works best when everyone’s involved. It’s critical to encourage workers to report hazards, raise concerns, and share ideas – making it easy for them to speak up without fear of being blamed. It should include toolbox talks and ad hoc discussions where workers are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. The more we talk about safety openly, the more we can learn and improve.
A commitment to effective safety risk management is also a key part in the development of a positive safety culture. Understanding the hazards and potential risks arising from your business activities is essential for establishing a safety risk management framework that eliminates or minimises risks to an acceptable level. More information can be found in the Safety Management Systems section of the NHVR website.
Being fit to work is an essential part of maintaining a safe workplace. Fatigue, stress, long hours or health issues can all affect a person’s ability to make safe decisions and carry out tasks effectively. This is why it’s important to understand how human factors and organisational performance impact a worker’s fitness to work, and how to actively support them. Support can include encouraging open conversations, regular check-ins, and promoting healthy work practices. Managing fitness to work as part of your safety systems, along with robust, ongoing training relevant to each worker’s job responsibilities, helps ensure workers are both comfortable and competent in carrying out their duties. This has a positive effect on business operations with a safer workplace that promotes greater productivity and efficiency. More information can be found in the Regulatory Advice – Fitness to work section of the NHVR website.
National Safe Work Month is a great time to ask: What is our safety culture like? Are people comfortable reporting issues? Do they feel supported?
Small changes such as having honest conversations, updating training, or checking in with those in your team more often, can make a big difference. At the NHVR, we’re here to help businesses build safer, stronger cultures. Let’s work together to make safety a shared goal and make sure everyone makes it home safely.
To help businesses build a strong safety culture, the NHVR has developed educational materials for all parties in the Chain of Responsibility which can be found here: nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/human-factors/developing-a-positive-safety-culture.
- Kelli Walker, Acting Chief Safety and Productivity, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator