“Leaders are people who influence the attitudes and behaviours of others. Sometimes they do this through their formal role and sometimes by their personal influence.

Leaders can be at all levels of an organisation: from the board and senior executives, through middle level managers such as site managers, to front-line supervisors.

A positive leadership and management style can improve an organisation’s WHS performance. There is strong evidence that performance is improved when organisations address WHS risks along with other important business risks.”

Principles of effective leadership in work health and safety

“Safe Work Australia Members have developed five leadership principles to help you develop your safety leadership practices and create a workplace culture that promotes safety. They include:

* commit to safety, * get involved, * encourage participation, * make WHS part of your business, * review your performance.”