Free Position Description (Leading Hand) Template

Purpose of the Free Position Description (Leading Hand) Template

A Leading Hand is a critical link between management and the workforce, playing a vital hands-on role in daily operations and site safety. This Free Position Description (Leading Hand) Template provides a structured framework for formally defining their responsibilities, authority, and, most importantly, their WHS duties.

A well-drafted Position Description (PD) ensures clarity, sets clear performance expectations, and helps integrate safety leadership into the ground level of your organisation. By outlining specific WHS accountabilities, you empower your Leading Hands to effectively supervise tasks, promote safe work behaviours, and contribute to a positive safety culture.

Using a formalised PD helps ensure that these key personnel understand their obligations to consult with workers, identify hazards, and implement risk controls. It forms a foundational document within your broader safety framework and is a key component of effective WHS management systems. This template helps you articulate the key competencies, qualifications, and reporting lines necessary for the role, reducing ambiguity and improving operational efficiency.

How to use the Free Position Description (Leading Hand) Template

This template is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience. The DOCX file is fully editable, allowing you to tailor the content to your specific business needs. We recommend following these steps:

• Download the DOCX version of the template.
• Review each section and replace the placeholder text with information relevant to your organisation, industry, and the specific team the Leading Hand will manage.
• Pay close attention to the “Key Responsibilities” and “WHS Responsibilities” sections. These must be detailed and accurate. For instance, specify if the role includes duties like conducting pre-start checks, leading toolbox talks, or contributing to the development of key safety documents like our Free Hand Tools SWMS Template.
• Consult with key stakeholders, such as the relevant manager, WHS personnel, and even experienced team members, to ensure the PD is practical and comprehensive.
• Once finalised, have the document approved by management and provide a copy to the employee upon hiring or as part of a role review.

Important: It is critical that you customise this document for your specific workplace, equipment, and operational context. We have provided a structured starting point, but you must ensure the final document accurately reflects the specific duties and legal obligations at your site.

For complex operations, seeking external advice from a WHS consulting firm can provide valuable assurance.

When to use it

A Leading Hand Position Description is a versatile document that should be used at several key points in the employment lifecycle. It is essential during the recruitment and selection process to attract suitable candidates and provide them with a clear understanding of the role's expectations.

It should be given to a new employee as part of their induction and onboarding process. The PD also serves as a valuable tool during performance reviews, providing a benchmark against which an employee's performance, including their safety leadership, can be measured.

It can also be used to clarify roles and responsibilities within a growing or restructuring team.

Who should use it

This template is designed for use by anyone responsible for managing personnel and ensuring workplace safety. This typically includes:

• Business Owners and Directors
• Operations Managers
• Human Resources (HR) Managers
• WHS and Safety Managers
• Site Supervisors and Foremen

It is particularly useful for organisations in industries such as construction, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and maintenance, where frontline leadership is crucial for managing safety risks. Implementing clear role definitions is also a key part of preparing for or maintaining system certifications, which can be verified through WHS compliance auditing. Training is another area where PDs are vital; for example, ensuring Leading Hands are equipped to deliver important safety messages, such as those found in a Vibration Toolbox Talk Template, is a key responsibility that should be captured.

We encourage you to explore our complete free WHS resources library for more templates to support your management system.