Goulburn Transport PTY LTD

Safety Management System Training Manual

Document Type: Controlled Training Manual
Document Number: SMS-TM-001
Version: 1.0
Company: Goulburn Transport PTY LTD
Effective Date: 3 May 2026
Review Date: 4 September 2026
Applies To: Drivers, owner-drivers, subcontractors, operations staff, supervisors, and management

Approved By: Liniane Munatonu
Position: Director
Approval Date: 3 May 2026

This manual explains how Goulburn Transport workers and subcontractors are expected to perform transport work safely, legally, and consistently. It provides the practical instructions needed to protect people, freight, vehicles, customers, and the public.

Table of Contents

• 1. Document Control
• 2. Purpose of This Manual
• 3. Scope of Application
• 4. Safety Commitment
• 5. Safety Policy
• 6. Roles and Responsibilities
• 7. Safety Principles in Transport Operations
• 8. Hazard Identification
• 9. Risk Assessment and Risk Control
• 10. Fatigue Management
• 11. Work and Rest Compliance
• 12. Mobile Phone and Distraction Control
• 13. Vehicle Pre-Start Inspections
• 14. Defect Reporting and Vehicle Removal From Service
• 15. Load Restraint
• 16. Loading and Unloading
• 17. Route and Trip Planning
• 18. Site Safety and Customer Locations
• 19. Incident Reporting
• 20. Incident Investigation and Corrective Action
• 21. Training and Competency
• 22. Subcontractor Management
• 23. Monitoring, Audit, and Review
• 24. Forms, Checklists, and Registers
• 25. Driver Acknowledgment
• 26. Approval

1. Document Control

This document is a controlled training manual. That means it must be used as the current approved version unless it is formally replaced. Drivers and staff must not rely on old printed copies, screenshots, or informal versions that may be outdated.

ItemDetailDocument TitleSafety Management System Training ManualDocument NumberSMS-TM-001Version1.0Effective Date3 May 2026Review Date4 September 2026StatusControlledOwnerManagementApproverLiniane Munatonu

The document owner is responsible for keeping the content current, ensuring changes are issued properly, and removing obsolete copies when updates are made.

2. Purpose of This Manual

The purpose of this manual is to give every driver, subcontractor, and worker a clear understanding of how Goulburn Transport expects transport work to be carried out safely.

This manual is designed to:

• explain the company’s safety standards in plain language
• provide step-by-step guidance for daily work
• support safe decisions in the field
• reduce the chance of crashes, injuries, damage, and compliance breaches
• ensure workers understand their duties under company procedures and transport law
• create a consistent approach across all jobs and operating environments

A transport business only stays safe when people know what is expected of them and can apply those expectations consistently. This manual turns safety policy into practical action.

3. Scope of Application

This manual applies to all work carried out under Goulburn Transport control, including local, regional, and long-distance transport tasks.

It applies to:

• employed drivers
• subcontractor drivers
• owner-drivers
• operations and dispatch staff
• supervisors and managers
• maintenance contacts and service providers where relevant
• any person acting on behalf of Goulburn Transport

It covers:

• vehicle operation
• pre-start inspections
• load restraint
• loading and unloading
• route planning
• site safety
• fatigue management
• incident reporting
• defect reporting
• subcontractor compliance
• record keeping
• training and review

If a task is performed for Goulburn Transport, this manual applies unless a separate written procedure is provided.

4. Safety Commitment

Goulburn Transport is committed to carrying out transport operations in a way that protects workers, customers, the public, freight, equipment, and the business.

This commitment means the company expects:

• safe behaviour at all times
• honest reporting of problems
• proper planning before work starts
• compliance with legal and company requirements
• no deliberate shortcuts
• no operation of unsafe vehicles
• no acceptance of unsafe instructions from customers, sites, or third parties

Safety is not treated as a separate activity. It is part of the job. Every decision made before, during, and after transport work affects safety.

Practical meaning

A driver should not leave with a load that has not been checked, a vehicle that has not been inspected, or a schedule that cannot be completed safely. If a job cannot be done safely, it must be paused and escalated.

5. Safety Policy

Goulburn Transport’s safety policy is based on prevention, control, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The company will:

• identify hazards before work begins
• assess risks and apply suitable controls
• provide training and instructions
• maintain vehicles and equipment
• monitor work practices and records
• investigate incidents and near misses
• fix unsafe systems where they are found
• take corrective action when standards are not met

Workers must:

• follow safe work procedures
• report hazards, defects, and incidents immediately
• refuse to carry out unsafe tasks
• comply with instructions that support safe operations
• complete records truthfully and fully
• ask questions when they are unsure

Example

If a customer requests urgent unloading in a congested area with forklifts moving around pedestrians, the correct response is to pause, assess the site, and only continue when the work area is safe.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Clear roles prevent confusion. Every person involved in the transport task must understand what they are responsible for and where their authority starts and ends.

RoleResponsibilitiesDirectorSets safety expectations, approves the SMS, reviews performance, supports improvementManagementImplements the SMS, allocates resources, monitors compliance, addresses risksOperationsPlans work, allocates jobs, communicates site and route requirements, follows up issuesDriversOperate vehicles safely, inspect equipment, secure loads, manage fatigue, report incidentsSubcontractorsMeet Goulburn Transport safety standards and legal requirementsMaintenance ProvidersKeep vehicles roadworthy, reliable, and safe for serviceAll WorkersFollow procedures, report hazards, and stop unsafe work

Driver responsibility in practice

A driver is not only responsible for driving. The driver is also responsible for checking the vehicle, checking the load, checking the route, understanding the site conditions, and knowing when to stop and report a problem.

7. Safety Principles in Transport Operations

Transport safety relies on a few core principles that apply to every job.

Principle 1: Safety comes first

No schedule, deadline, or customer request overrides safety.

Principle 2: Plan before moving

A well-planned trip avoids avoidable risks such as low bridges, poor access, fatigue exposure, and loading problems.

Principle 3: Check before departure

A short pre-start inspection can prevent a serious breakdown, crash, or load issue later.

Principle 4: Control hazards early

The earlier a hazard is identified, the easier and cheaper it is to manage.

Principle 5: Report honestly

Unsafe conditions must be reported clearly and promptly so action can be taken.

Principle 6: Learn from incidents

When something goes wrong, the purpose of the review is to prevent a repeat event, not simply to assign blame.

Example

If a trailer has a faulty light, the issue should be reported before departure. If the same fault is ignored and the vehicle is driven at night, the risk increases significantly.

8. Hazard Identification

A hazard is anything that may cause harm. In transport work, hazards can come from the vehicle, the load, the road, the site, the weather, the work schedule, or the behaviour of other people.

Common transport hazards include:

• fatigue
• poor road conditions
• traffic congestion
• weather events
• mechanical defects
• load movement
• loading plant interaction
• reversing
• poor visibility
• time pressure
• site congestion
• poor communication
• unsecured freight
• untrained subcontractors
• distraction from mobile devices
• wrong route selection

How to identify hazards

Drivers and operations staff should ask:

• What can go wrong here?
• What is different about this job?
• What are the site conditions?
• What could affect the vehicle, load, or driver?
• What controls are already in place?
• What still needs attention?

Example

A night delivery to a busy warehouse with limited turning room, vehicle movement, and wet pavement creates a higher risk profile than a standard daylight delivery to an open yard.

9. Risk Assessment and Risk Control

Risk assessment is the process of deciding how serious a hazard is and what needs to be done to control it.

The usual process is:

• identify the hazard
• assess the likelihood and consequence
• decide on controls
• apply the controls before work starts
• monitor the situation during the job
• adjust the controls if conditions change

Types of controls

The best control is usually the one that removes or reduces the hazard before work begins. Controls may include:

• changing the route
• delaying the job
• using different equipment
• adding a spotter
• adding a rest break
• increasing restraint
• choosing another unloading point
• refusing an unsafe instruction

Example

If the delivery site becomes muddy and unstable after rain, the risk of bogging or rollover rises. The control may be to delay entry, use a different access point, or choose a different unloading method.

Risk control table

HazardPossible HarmControlFatigueCrash, poor decisions, slowed reactionsRest, breaks, realistic schedulingLoad movementInjury, damage, loss of controlCorrect restraint and checksDefectBreakdown, crash, delayPre-start inspection and maintenancePoor site accessCollision, property damage, boggingSite assessment and access controlMobile phone useDistraction, missed hazardNo use while driving

10. Fatigue Management

Fatigue is one of the most serious risks in transport work because it affects judgement, reaction time, concentration, and awareness.

Drivers must be fit for duty before starting work and must remain fit during the task. If a driver is too tired to work safely, the correct response is to stop and report it.

Fatigue can be caused by:

• too little sleep
• long work hours
• night work
• early starts
• poor sleep quality
• stress
• illness
• dehydration
• repetitive work
• heat and physical exhaustion

Common fatigue warning signs

• yawning repeatedly
• difficulty concentrating
• feeling drowsy
• heavy eyes
• drifting across lanes
• forgetting instructions
• missing road signs
• slower reactions
• becoming irritable or impatient

Driver instructions

• get proper rest before work
• do not start a long trip already tired
• take breaks before you become exhausted
• drink water and stay alert
• stop if warning signs appear
• tell operations if delays are causing fatigue pressure
• never pretend to be fit if you are not

Example

A driver who has had limited sleep and then accepts a long overnight run is at risk of making critical mistakes. The correct action is to report the fatigue risk before departure.

11. Work and Rest Compliance

Work and rest compliance is essential for safe transport operations. Drivers must follow the applicable work and rest limits for their role and operating conditions.

Driver expectations

• record work accurately
• take rests as required
• do not work beyond safe limits
• do not alter records to fit the job
• do not take instructions that would breach safe limits
• communicate early if scheduling becomes unrealistic

Why this matters

Fatigue violations can lead to:

• reduced alertness
• poor route decisions
• delayed reactions
• logbook breaches
• enforcement action
• increased crash risk

Example

If a delivery is delayed and the driver would need to keep driving into a period of reduced alertness, the job must be re-planned rather than forced through.

12. Mobile Phone and Distraction Control

Distraction is a major cause of transport incidents. A driver’s attention must remain on the vehicle, road, mirrors, and surrounding traffic.

Drivers must not:

• text while driving
• hold a phone while the vehicle is moving
• read messages in traffic
• browse apps while driving
• engage in unnecessary conversation if it distracts driving

Drivers should:

• pull over safely before using the phone for non-urgent matters
• keep calls short and relevant
• use communication only when it does not interfere with driving
• avoid device use in complex conditions such as reversing, merging, or heavy traffic

Example

A driver receives a message from dispatch while approaching a busy intersection. The correct action is to continue driving safely, then stop in a suitable location and respond.

13. Vehicle Pre-Start Inspections

Every vehicle must be checked before it is used. The purpose of the pre-start inspection is to identify defects before they become incidents on the road.

Pre-start checks should include:

• tyres and wheels
• brakes
• lights and indicators
• mirrors and windows
• steering
• suspension
• coupling equipment
• hoses and air lines
• fluid leaks
• load security
• warning lights
• body damage
• any unusual noises or smells

Driver method

A driver should complete the inspection in a consistent order every time. This reduces the chance of missing a fault.

A practical approach is:

• walk around the vehicle
• look under the vehicle where safe
• check each critical component
• test required functions
• confirm the load area is secure
• record anything unusual

Example

If a vehicle has a small coolant leak under the engine, the driver must not ignore it simply because the engine still runs. Small defects can become major failures during the trip.

14. Defect Reporting and Vehicle Removal From Service

Defects must be reported as soon as they are found. Some defects can be monitored temporarily, while others require immediate removal from service.

Reportable defects include:

• tyre cuts or bulges
• brake issues
• lighting faults
• steering looseness
• broken mirrors
• fluid leaks
• air leaks
• cracked windscreen
• damaged coupling parts
• suspension problems
• damaged restraint gear

Procedure

• stop the vehicle if needed
• make the area safe
• notify operations or maintenance
• record the fault clearly
• remove the vehicle from service if the defect affects safety
• do not resume operation until cleared

Example

If a trailer indicator is faulty and the vehicle is required for night operation, the defect must be fixed before the vehicle leaves. Continuing would create a visibility and compliance risk.

15. Load Restraint

Load restraint is the process of keeping freight in place during normal transport conditions such as braking, cornering, acceleration, and uneven roads.

Driver responsibilities

• check that the load is positioned safely
• confirm the correct number and type of restraints are used
• inspect straps, chains, binders, and gates
• ensure restraints are not twisted, damaged, or worn
• re-check the load where necessary after departure
• stop and re-secure if movement occurs

Why load restraint matters

An unsecured or poorly restrained load can:

• shift the centre of gravity
• damage the vehicle
• affect steering and braking
• fall from the vehicle
• injure people
• damage freight and equipment

Example

If a machine load moves slightly after the first part of the trip, the driver must stop in a safe place and re-secure the load before continuing.

16. Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading are high-risk tasks because people, vehicles, plant, and freight are all operating in close proximity.

Safe work expectations

• assess the site before entering the loading area
• stay clear of moving plant
• follow site traffic rules
• keep out of exclusion zones
• never stand under suspended loads
• do not assist equipment operators unless directed and trained
• maintain eye contact and communication where needed
• stop if visibility or communication is not clear

Driver conduct

A driver should remain calm, patient, and focused during these tasks. Rushing causes mistakes.

Example

If a forklift is approaching from behind and the driver cannot be seen, the driver must wait in a safe area until the operator confirms the situation.

17. Route and Trip Planning

Planning prevents avoidable delays, damage, and compliance problems.

A proper trip plan should consider:

• route suitability
• road closures
• bridge heights
• weight and dimension restrictions
• weather conditions
• fuel availability
• rest opportunities
• site access
• delivery time windows
• permit requirements
• emergency contacts

Why planning matters

If a driver discovers a route problem only after departure, the choices become more limited and risks usually rise.

Example

A route with a low bridge, narrow turn, or seasonal road restriction must be checked before the truck leaves. Route checking is part of safe job planning, not an optional extra.

18. Site Safety and Customer Locations

Every site is different. A driver must not assume that because a place is a customer site, it is automatically safe.

At every site, the driver must:

• follow the site rules
• obey traffic directions
• wear required PPE
• stay in approved areas
• use spotters if required
• watch for pedestrians and plant
• avoid reversing unless it is safe and controlled
• ask questions if the site procedure is unclear

Example

A site may require a truck to wait until a crane is positioned before entering the unloading zone. The driver must wait rather than entering early and creating congestion.

19. Incident Reporting

Incidents must be reported quickly and clearly so they can be managed properly.

Incidents include:

• crashes
• near misses
• injuries
• freight damage
• vehicle damage
• load movement
• roadside breakdowns
• unsafe instructions
• fatigue events
• site safety breaches

Report content

The report should describe:

• what happened
• where it happened
• when it happened
• who was involved
• what the immediate response was
• whether emergency services were required
• whether photos or evidence are available

Example

If a strap fails but the load stays on the vehicle, that is still a near miss and must be reported.

20. Incident Investigation and Corrective Action

Once an incident is reported, the next step is to understand why it happened and what must change to prevent recurrence.

Investigation may review:

• driver actions
• site conditions
• equipment condition
• planning process
• communication
• time pressure
• fatigue
• training
• supervision
• maintenance history

Corrective actions may include:

• retraining
• updated procedures
• maintenance repair
• better planning
• revised loading methods
• disciplinary action
• improved communication steps

Example

If several similar load shift events occur, the issue may be the restraint procedure rather than a single driver error.

21. Training and Competency

Training ensures that workers know how to perform tasks safely and consistently.

Training may cover:

• SMS induction
• vehicle inspection procedure
• fatigue awareness
• work/rest compliance
• load restraint
• incident reporting
• defect reporting
• mobile phone rules
• route planning
• site rules
• CoR obligations
• emergency response

Competency expectation

A worker must not be assigned to a task they do not understand or cannot perform safely.

Example

A new subcontractor may be licensed and experienced, but still needs company-specific training on reporting, restraint standards, and site expectations.

22. Subcontractor Management

Subcontractors must meet Goulburn Transport’s safety and compliance expectations before work is allocated and throughout the relationship.

Required standards

• current licence and registration
• suitable and safe vehicle
• current insurance
• compliant maintenance
• accurate paperwork
• understanding of company procedures
• prompt reporting of faults and incidents
• professional conduct at all times

Compliance response

If a subcontractor fails to meet the required standard, Goulburn Transport may refuse work, suspend work, or remove the contractor from the approved list.

Example

A subcontractor who turns up with missing insurance documents, an unsafe trailer, or an unresolved defect should not be dispatched until the issue is corrected.

23. Monitoring, Audit, and Review

The SMS must be reviewed to ensure it remains effective and practical.

What may be monitored

• pre-start inspections
• defect trends
• incident reports
• fatigue compliance
• route planning quality
• load restraint compliance
• subcontractor records
• training completion
• corrective action close-out

Why monitoring matters

Monitoring shows whether procedures are being followed in real conditions. It also shows where extra training or system improvement is needed.

Example

If repeated inspection records show the same tyre-related issues, the review may identify a maintenance or check process problem.

24. Forms, Checklists, and Registers

The following forms support the SMS and should be completed clearly and honestly.

24.1 Pre-Start Vehicle Inspection Checklist

ItemPass / FailCommentsTyresWheelsBrakesLightsIndicatorsMirrorsSteeringFluidsCouplingLoad restraintLeaks/damageVehicle safe to use

24.2 Incident Report Form

FieldDetailsDateTimeLocationReporterVehicleDescriptionDamage/injuryImmediate actionFollow-up required

24.3 Risk Register

HazardConsequenceControlOwnerReview Date

24.4 Subcontractor Compliance Checklist

RequirementYes / NoNotesABN verifiedLicence currentRegistration currentInsurance currentVehicle suitableMaintenance evidence reviewedInduction completedReporting understood

24.5 Corrective Action Register

IssueAction RequiredOwnerDue DateStatus

25. Driver Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will follow the requirements of the Goulburn Transport Safety Management System Training Manual.

NameSignatureDate

26. Approval

This manual is approved for use by Goulburn Transport PTY LTD.

Approved By: Liniane Munatonu
Position: Director
Date: 3 May 2026