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Express Online Training
National Provider Code: 40592

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Trading as RSA EXPRESS Training
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RTO: 40592

Course Notes
Version 1.1

CPCWHS1001
Prepare to work safely in the construction industry

(Online)
 Express Online Training

Contents

Section 1 – Introduction to Health and Safety Legislation ................................................................................... 6

Preamble .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

WHS Training .................................................................................................................................................... 6

Model WHS Laws.............................................................................................................................................. 7

Nationally Uniform Laws .................................................................................................................................. 7

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 .................................................................................................................... 7

Work Health and Safety Act 2020 WA ............................................................................................................. 8

Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Tasmania .................................................................................................... 8

Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 VIC ................................................................................................. 9

Regulations ....................................................................................................................................................... 9

Codes of Practice .............................................................................................................................................. 9

Australian Standards ...................................................................................................................................... 10

What is Construction Work? .......................................................................................................................... 10

WHS Terms and Definitions............................................................................................................................ 11

Inspectors ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

Inspectors: General Powers on Entry ............................................................................................................. 13

Resources ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

Section 2 – Identify Health and Safety Requirements - Construction................................................................ 16

Duty of Care.................................................................................................................................................... 16

WHS Duties..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Duties of a PCBU............................................................................................................................................. 16

Information, Training, Instruction and Supervision ....................................................................................... 17

Duties of Workers........................................................................................................................................... 17

Duties of Designers, Manufacturers and Suppliers of Plant .......................................................................... 18

Duties of Other Persons ................................................................................................................................. 18

Safe Work Practices ........................................................................................................................................ 18

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Safe Work Tips ................................................................................................................................................ 19

Alcohol and Drug Use ..................................................................................................................................... 20

Authorisations, Licenses and Permits ............................................................................................................ 20

Licenses and Permits: Earth Moving Equipment and Crane Operation ......................................................... 21

Prescribed Activities ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Section 3 – Identify construction hazards and risk control measures ............................................................... 22

WHS Management Plans ................................................................................................................................ 22

Hazards and Risks ........................................................................................................................................... 22

Common Hazards and Associated Risks ......................................................................................................... 23

Hazardous Substances.................................................................................................................................... 24

Hazard Identification ...................................................................................................................................... 25

Systematic Methods for Hazard Identification............................................................................................... 26

Risk Management ........................................................................................................................................... 27

Risk Management Responsibilities................................................................................................................. 28

Five Step Process ............................................................................................................................................ 28

Dangerous Goods ........................................................................................................................................... 29

Dust ................................................................................................................................................................ 29

Noise............................................................................................................................................................... 30

Manual Handling ............................................................................................................................................ 30

Plant and Equipment ...................................................................................................................................... 31

Traffic and Mobile Plant ................................................................................................................................. 32

Electrical Safety .............................................................................................................................................. 32

UV Radiation................................................................................................................................................... 33

Working at Heights and Falls .......................................................................................................................... 33

Falling Objects ................................................................................................................................................ 34

Excavations (Including Trenches) ................................................................................................................... 34

Tunnelling ....................................................................................................................................................... 34

Confined Spaces ............................................................................................................................................. 35

Unplanned Collapse ....................................................................................................................................... 35

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Hot and Cold Working Environments ............................................................................................................. 36

Infectious Diseases ......................................................................................................................................... 36

Safety Signs and Symbols ............................................................................................................................... 37

Electrical Warning Signs ................................................................................................................................. 38

Lock Out, Isolation and Safety Tagging .......................................................................................................... 39

Danger Tags .................................................................................................................................................... 40

Out of Service Tags ......................................................................................................................................... 41

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ............................................................................................................ 42

Choosing Personal Protective Equipment ...................................................................................................... 42

Care for your Personal Protective Equipment ............................................................................................... 43

Properly fitting Personal Protective Equipment ............................................................................................ 44

Section 4 – Identify Health and Safety Communication and Reporting Processes ............................................ 46

Health and Safety Personnel .......................................................................................................................... 46

Health and Safety Representative Powers and Functions ............................................................................. 46

Health and Safety Committee ........................................................................................................................ 47

Other Important Personnel ............................................................................................................................ 47

Election and Eligibility .................................................................................................................................... 47

Issue Resolution ............................................................................................................................................. 48

Overview of WHS Responsibilities for key personnel .................................................................................... 49

Consultation: Duty to Consult Workers ......................................................................................................... 50

Consultation: Nature of Consultation ............................................................................................................ 50

Co-operation and Co-ordination .................................................................................................................... 51

How to Raise Health and Safety Matters ....................................................................................................... 51

Where to get WHS Information ..................................................................................................................... 52

Types of WHS Documentation ....................................................................................................................... 53

WHS Documents: JSA ..................................................................................................................................... 54

Assess Risk ...................................................................................................................................................... 55

Risk Priority Chart (Risk Score Calculator) ...................................................................................................... 56

Risk Control .................................................................................................................................................... 57

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Hierarchy of Controls ..................................................................................................................................... 57

Controlling Risks ............................................................................................................................................. 58

Controlling Risks with Personal Protective Equipment .................................................................................. 60

Implement Risk Control Measures ................................................................................................................. 61

Monitoring and Reviewing Risks .................................................................................................................... 61

Section 5 – Identify Incident and Emergency Response Procedures ................................................................. 62

Emergency Procedures (Emergency Plan) ..................................................................................................... 62

First Aid........................................................................................................................................................... 62

First Aid Responsibilities................................................................................................................................. 63

First Aid Procedures ....................................................................................................................................... 63

First Aid Treatment ........................................................................................................................................ 64

Notifiable Incidents ........................................................................................................................................ 66

Serious Illness or Injury .................................................................................................................................. 67

Right to Cease Unsafe Work........................................................................................................................... 67

Workers Compensation.................................................................................................................................. 67

Reporting Hazards, Incidents and Injuries ..................................................................................................... 68

Other Notifications ......................................................................................................................................... 69

Emergencies ................................................................................................................................................... 69

Types of Emergencies ..................................................................................................................................... 69

Basic Emergency Response ............................................................................................................................ 70

Emergency Services – (Usually the responsibility of the Chief Warden) ....................................................... 70

Hazardous Chemical Incidents ....................................................................................................................... 71

Electrical Incidents ......................................................................................................................................... 71

Fire Safety Equipment .................................................................................................................................... 72

Fire Extinguisher Chart ................................................................................................................................... 73

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher ...................................................................................................................... 74

What should be done if there is a Fire? ......................................................................................................... 75

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Section 1 – Introduction to Health and Safety Legislation

Slide ID 770
Section 1 ► Slide 1

Preamble
This course is designed to meet requirements for construction workers to participate in general Work Health and Safety (WHS)
induction training against the national competency CPCWHS1001 "Prepare to work safely in the construction industry."

For the purposes of this training, we will recognise and cover:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (TAS)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)
• Codes of Practice
• Australian Standards

Once you have completed this course you will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out safe work practices, you
will have knowledge of:
• Health and safety legislative requirements of construction work,
• Construction hazards and risk control measures,
• Health and safety communication and reporting processes, and
• Incident and emergency response procedures.

Demonstrated Skills to:

• Locate and recognise safety signs and symbols,
• Ask questions to clarify instructions and listen to identify key information,
• Inform other workers of construction hazards and risks,
• Follow both pictorial and written safety instructions,
• Select risk control measures and appropriate personal protective equipment, and
• Complete basic hazard identification/risk assessment forms.

Slide ID 771
Section 1 ► Slide 2

WHS Training
The construction industry is one that is involved in the building maintenance/repair, renovation and demolition of buildings and
infrastructure, and the people working in the construction industry are part of a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Given this
environment, hazards and risks are ever present and change frequently on the worksite, especially as work progresses and/or as
workers move from project to project.

The instruction and training required to ensure people can work safely on construction sites needs to recognise the pattern of
employment and the way the construction industry operates. Therefore, three types of WHS induction training may be required:
• General Induction – usually delivered by a registered training organization, provides workers entering the construction
industry with a basic knowledge and understanding of the requirements that are provided for under the Work Health and
Safety legislation and Regulations , as well as the common hazards and risks likely to be encountered on construction sites
and how these risks should be controlled.
• Site Induction – usually delivered by the site manager, safety officer or HR, provides information and instruction to anyone
engaged on a particular construction site with knowledge of the contractor's rules and procedures for site safety, emergency
management, the supervisory and reporting arrangements, and other site-specific issues.
• Task-Specific Induction – usually delivered by the direct supervisor or foreman, provides information and instruction to
anyone undertaking a particular construction activity of the risk factors and control measures relating to that task.

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Slide ID 772
Section 1 ► Slide 3

Model WHS Laws

In 2011, Safe Work Australia developed a single set of WHS laws to be implemented across Australia. These laws are referred to or are
known as ‘model’ laws. Safe Work Australia is responsible for maintaining the model WHS laws, however, they are not responsible for
regulating or enforcing them in each state or territory. While the ‘model’ laws exist, each state or territory must separately implement
the model WHS laws as their own laws in order to make them legally binding.

The model laws include the following:

• Model WHS Act
• Model WHS Regulations
• Model Codes of Practice

While there are nationally uniform laws to provide guidance on safe work practices throughout Australia, individual states
or territories may have specific WHS Acts, Regulations, and Codes of Practice which govern safe operating systems in the workplace.

Nationally Uniform Laws

The National WHS laws are consistent laws for the Commonwealth, Queensland, NSW, Western Australia and Tasmania
as well as the Australian Capital and Northern Territories.

Nationally uniform laws ensure all workers in Australia have the same standard of health and safety protection,
regardless of the work they do or where they work. Nationally uniform work health and safety laws means greater
certainty for employers (particularly those operating across state borders) and, over time, reduced compliance costs for
business.

More consultation between employers, workers, and their representatives, along with clearer responsibilities will make
workplaces safer for everyone.

The legislation includes:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017
• Codes of Practice

Slide ID 773
Section 1 ► Slide 4

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (The Act) is concerned with the health and safety of all those involved with a workplace. In
general, the aim of Work Health and Safety Act 2011 is to secure the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace
through elimination or minimization of risks, so as to provide workers and others with the highest level of protection from hazards and
risks, so far as reasonably practicable.

The main object of the Act is to provide for a balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the health and safety of
workers and workplaces by:
• Protect the health and safety of workers and other people by eliminating or reducing workplace risks,
• Ensure fair and effective representation, consultation, and cooperation to address health and safety issues in the workplace,
• Encourage unions and employer organisations to take a constructive role in improving health and safety practices, assisting
the PCBU and workers to achieve a healthier and safer workplace,
• Promote the provision of information, education and training on health and safety matters,
• Provide effective compliance and enforcement measures deliver continuous improvement and progressively higher standards
of health and safety,
• Ensure that national laws relating to workplace health and safety are aligned and allow for a consistent approach across all
jurisdictions.

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Slide ID 774
Section 1 ► Slide 5

Work Health and Safety Act 2020 WA

The WHS Act and accompanying regulations, commenced in March 2022; it provides a framework to protect health, safety and welfare
of workers in Western Australian workplaces, and of other people who might be affected by the work.

The main object of this Act is to provide for a balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the health and safety of workers
and workplaces by —
• protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or
minimisation of risks arising from work; and
• providing for fair and effective workplace representation, consultation, cooperation and issue resolution in relation to
work health and safety; and
• fostering cooperation and consultation between, and providing for the participation of, the following persons in the
formulation and implementation of work health and safety standards to current levels of technical knowledge and
development and encouraging those persons to take a constructive role in promoting improvements in work health and
safety practices —
o workers,
o persons conducting businesses or undertakings,
o unions,
o employer organisations.

Slide ID 775
Section 1 ► Slide 6

Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Tasmania

The WHS Act and accompanying regulations, commenced in January 2013; it provides significant improvements for workers’ health
and safety and in particular, ensures that workers are consulted on all health and safety matters.

The main object of this Act is to provide for a balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the health and safety of workers
and workplaces by —
• protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or minimisation
of risks arising from work or from specified types of substances or plant; and
• providing for fair and effective workplace representation, consultation, cooperation and issue resolution in relation to work
health and safety; and
• encouraging unions and employer organisations to take a constructive role in promoting improvements in work health and
safety practices, and assisting persons conducting businesses or undertakings and workers to achieve a healthier and safer
working environment; and
• promoting the provision of advice, information, education and training in relation to work health and safety; and
• securing compliance with this Act through effective and appropriate compliance and enforcement measures; and
• ensuring appropriate scrutiny and review of actions taken by persons exercising powers and performing functions under this
Act; and
• providing a framework for continuous improvement and progressively higher standards of work health and safety; and
• maintaining and strengthening the national harmonisation of laws relating to work health and safety and to facilitate a
consistent national approach to work health and safety in this jurisdiction.

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Slide ID 776
Section 1 ► Slide 7

Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 VIC

In Victoria, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 provides the legislative framework for health and safety measures.
According to the Act, "the importance of health and safety requires that employees, other persons at work and members of the
public be given the highest level of protection against risks to their health and safety that is reasonably practicable in the
circumstances."

The main objectives of the Act are to:

• to secure the health, safety and welfare of employees and other persons at work,
• to eliminate risks to the health, safety or welfare of employees and other persons at work,
• to ensure that the health and safety of members of the public is not placed at risk,
• to provide for the involvement of employees, employers, and organisations in the formulation, and
• implementation of health, safety and welfare standards.

Slide ID 777
Section 1 ► Slide 8

Regulations
Regulations are rules that MUST be followed, and the Work Health and Safety Regulations provide much of the practical guidance
and details that workers and employers require so as to comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 The purpose of the WHS
Regulations is to harmonise WHS laws through a model framework designed to protect the safety of workers, improve safety outcomes,
reduce compliance costs for business and improve efficiency for health and safety regulators

The WHS Regulation:

• Details what is required to support the duties of the Act,
• Specifies the ways that some duties must be carried out,
• Sets procedural and administrative requirements of the Act (i.e. licencing, and record keeping)

Slide ID 778
Section 1 ► Slide 9

Codes of Practice
Codes of practice provide detailed safety and standards information on specific work tasks that will help workers and
employers/PCBU’s to achieve the required standard under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

• Codes of Practice provide practical guidance on how to meet the standards set out in the WHS Act and the WHS Regulations.
• Codes of Practice are not legislation and are not mandatory, nor do they replace WHS laws, however codes and practice can
be used to help make the understanding of why you act in a certain way, that much easier,
• Codes of Practice are apractical guide for PCBUs and workers on how to achieve a particular objective for health and safety at
work; in short, they show people in the workplace how they can fulfil the requirements of the Act from day to day.
• If a PCBU can demonstrate that they can achieve compliance with the WHS Act and the WHS Regulations by some other
method not set out in the Code of Practice they have the right to do so. However, any method used must meet or exceed the
standard of work health and safety suggested by the Code of Practice,
• Codes of practice can be used as evidence providing specific detail regarding a hazard and/or risk control and therefore can be
relied upon to determine what is ‘reasonably practicable’ on matters the code relates to.

Examples of relevant Codes of Practice include, but are not limited to: -
• Construction work,
• Demolition work,
• Excavation work,
• Hazardous manual tasks.

Codes of practice can be national such as those published by Safe Work Australia, or they can be relevant to particular states or
territories.

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Slide ID 779
Section 1 ► Slide 10

Australian Standards
Standards have been developed to provide minimal levels of performance or quality for a specific hazard, work process or product.
Standards are not law themselves but are often mentioned in Regulations. e.g. AS 2601 Demolition of Structures when preparing Work
Method Statements for Demolition Work, and in these cases MUST be taken into account.

Standards are regularly updated. They are NOT developed by parliament, but by a company for profit, Standards Australia. The
Standards aim to prevent occupational death, injury and disease. For Example: AS 3610-1995 Formwork for concrete.

Australian Standards provide specifications and design procedures, thus ensuring that products and/or services perform as intended
maintaining safety and reliability. There are two types of standards, mandatory and voluntary: -

Mandatory standards are law and with any law, there are penalties for breaching them; for example, when the supply of products
doesn’t comply with the standards. There are two types of mandatory standards:
• Safety standards that ensure the good comply with particular performance, composition, contents, methods of manufacture
or processing, design, construction, finish or packaging rules.
• Information standards that ensure the correct information regarding products is available, this includes, labels, clear
instructions and warnings against possible misuse.

Voluntary standards, provide for Best Practice, and therefore adherence is not automatically a legal requirement. Such Standards are
developed by non-government agencies like Standards Australia and ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation).

Slide ID 780
Section 1 ► Slide 11

What is Construction Work?

The WHS Act defines construction work as any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out,
commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of
a Structure.

Construction work includes the following:

• Any installation or testing carried out while undertaking construction work,
• The removal from the workplace of any product or waste resulting from demolition,
• The prefabrication or testing of elements, at a place specifically established for the construction work, for use in construction
work,
• The assembly of prefabricated elements to form a structure, or the dis-assembly of prefabricated elements forming part of a
structure,
• The installation, testing or maintenance of an essential service in relation to a structure,
• Any work connected with an excavation,
• Any work connected with any preparatory work or site preparation (including landscaping as part of site preparation) carried
out while undertaking construction work,
• An activity while performing construction work that is carried out on, under or near water, including work on buoys and
obstructions to navigation.

Construction work does NOT include any of the following:

• The manufacture of plant,
• The prefabrication of elements, other than at a place specifically established for the construction work, for use in construction
work,
• The construction or assembly of a structure that once constructed or assembled is intended to be transported to another
place,
• Testing, maintenance or repair work of a minor nature carried out in connection with a structure, for example: -
o Inspecting building fire equipment or lifts,
o Repairing or replacing sprinklers or smoke detectors,
o Replacing carpet in an office,
o Servicing or conducting minor repairs of air-conditioning or solar panel unit(s),
o Regular testing or repair of pressure piping.

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• Mining or the exploration for or extraction of minerals, for example: -
o Extracting sand o rock from a quarry or open-cut mine,
o Removing overburden at an open-cut mine

Slide ID 781
Section 1 ► Slide 12

WHS Terms and Definitions

The model WHS Act uses terms throughout legislation, regulations and codes of practice which are applicable to day to day activities at
the workplace. While the terms defined below are used consistently in the states and territories where each jurisdiction has
implemented model WHS laws, there are terms used by other states such as in Western Australia that differ.

Act: means the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Asbestos: means the asbestiform varieties of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock forming
minerals

Card Holder: means the person to whom a general construction induction training card is issued.

Construction: Construction work is defined as any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-
out commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling a structure.

Control measure (also known as Hierarchy of Control): in relation to a risk to health and safety, means a measure to eliminate or
minimize the risk, which includes: -
• Administrative Control – means the method of work, a process or a procedure designed to minimize risk i.e change the way
people work;
• Elimination Control – means physically removing the hazard from the workplace, i.e. using a cordless vacuum cleaner to
eliminate an identified trip hazard;
• Engineering Control – means a control measure that is physical in nature, including a mechanical device or process that will
‘engineer ‘ out the hazard;
• Isolation Control, means to isolate people from the hazard, i.e. storing equipment correctly and/or use physical barriers to
separate workers from the hazard;
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – means anything used or worn by a person to minimize risk to the person’s health and
safety, this is the last control measure used;
• Substitution Control – means to substitute the hazard with something safer, i.e.using a safer less toxic cleaner instead of a
more hazardous/toxic chemical cleaning solution;

General Construction Induction Training Certification: means a certification for the completion of the specified VET course for general
construction induction training.

High Risk Construction Work (Regulation 291) High risk construction work includes: -
• work that involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres
• work on a telecommunication tower
• demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure
• work that involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos
• structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
• work in or near a confined space
• work in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres
• work in or near a tunnel
• use of explosives
• work on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
• work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
• work on or near energised electrical installations or services
• work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
• work involving tilt-up or precast concrete
• work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians
• work in areas in which there is movement of powered mobile plant
• work in areas in which there are artificial extremes of temperature
• work in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning
• work that involves diving work.

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Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU): The Act defines a PCBU as: A person conducting a business or undertaking
alone or with others, whether or not for profit or gain. A PCBU can be a sole trader (for example a self-employed person), a
partnership, company, unincorporated association or government department of public authority (including a municipal council). An
elected member of a municipal council acting in that capacity is not a PCBU.

In Western Australia, the term employer is used to reference a person that employs an employee under a contract of employment or
employs a trainee or apprentice under an apprenticeship or traineeship scheme.

Person with Management or Control of a Workplace - A person with management or control of a workplace means a person
conducting a business or undertaking to the extent that the business or undertaking involves the management or control, in whole or
in part, of the workplace but does not include:
• The occupier of a residence, unless the residence is occupied for the purposes of, or as part of, the conduct of a business or
undertaking,
• A prescribed person.

Reasonably Practicable: in relation to a duty to ensure health and safety means what can be reasonably done to ensure health and
safety, including: -
• the likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring,
• the degree of harm as a result of the hazard or risk,
• what a person knows or would reasonably know about the hazard or risk, and the ways to eliminate or minimize the risk,
• the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimize the risk, and
• identifying the cost associated with eliminating or minimizing the risk, including consideration of whether the cost is
disproportionate to the risk itself.

Registered Training Organisation (RTO): means a training organization listed as a training organization on the National Register
established under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS): means a safety planning document that is prepared prior to commencing work that is
considered high risk. A SWMS lists the high-risk construction work activities to be carried out at a worksite, the hazards arising from
these activities and the measures to be put in place to control these risks.

Safe Work Procedures: mean the directions provided on how work is to be completed safely and are required for all hazardous tasks
performed in the workplace. Safe Work Procedures identify and clarify actions of people to eliminate or minimize risks, an include
work-repeated tasks as well as addressing safety concerns, safety equipment and work-area precautions.

Safe Work Australia: means Safe Work Australia as established under section 5 of the Safe Work Australia Act 2008. The objectives of
Safe Work Australia is to improve the national WHS outcomes and workers’ compensation arrangements by providing an inclusive
tripartite forum for representatives of governments, workers and employers.

Worker A person is a worker if the person carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking, including
work as:
• An employee,
• A contractor or subcontractor,
• An apprentice or trainee,
• A student gaining work experience, or
• A volunteer
• The person conducting the business or undertaking is also a worker if the person is an individual who carries out work in that
business or undertaking.

Work group: A work group is a group of workers who share a similar work situation. For example, a work group might consist of all
workers in the office part of a manufacturing complex, or it might consist of people of the same trade, or it might consist of all people
on the night shift. If agreed, workers from multiple businesses can be part of the same work group which might include contractors,
labour hire staff, outworkers and apprentices.

Workplace: Any place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking. This may include offices, factories, shops, construction
sites, vehicles, ships, aircraft or other mobile structures on land or water such as offshore units and platforms.

Principal Contractor (PC): A Principal Contractor must be appointed for a Construction Project - a project that involves construction
work where the cost of the construction work is $250,000.00 or more. A person conducting a business or undertaking that
commissions a construction project, or a person engaged by this person, is the principal contractor for the project.

If the owner of residential premises is an individual who directly or indirectly engages a person conducting a business or undertaking
to undertake a construction project in relation to the premises, the person so engaged is the principal contractor for the project if the
person has management or control of the workplace.

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Slide ID 782
Section 1 ► Slide 13

Inspectors
The main role of inspectors is to monitor and enforce compliance with the Act, and where required implement the enforcement
framework.

Work health and safety inspectors investigate workplace incidents, and conduct workplace inspections to evaluate compliance, and
where necessary enforce compliance, to assist workers and employers meet their health and Safety obligations under the Act.
• Each inspector is issued with an identity card containing a signature and a recent photograph, which he or she must show you
before exercising any power under the Act.
• They must have the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person when exercising the power.

However, if it is not practicable to comply with either of the above the inspector must produce the identity card for the person's
inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.

Visits by Safework inspectors to the workplace could be the result of: -

• An incident,
• A complaint,
• A request for advice,
• As part of a targeted injury prevention program,

The inspector has specific powers under the Act. They must:
• Provide information and advice about compliance with the WHS Act,
• Assist in the resolution of:
o work health and safety issues at workplaces,
o issues related to access to a workplace by an assistant to a health and safety representative,
o issues related to the exercise or purported exercise of a right of entry,
• Review disputed provisional improvement notices,
• To require compliance with the Act through the issuing of notices, and
• To investigate contraventions of the Act and assist in the prosecution of offences.

Slide ID 783
Section 1 ► Slide 14

Inspectors: General Powers on Entry

An inspector who enters a workplace may do all or any of the following:
• Inspect, examine and make inquiries at the workplace,
• Inspect and examine anything, including a document, at the workplace,
• Bring to the workplace and use any equipment or materials that may be required,
• Take measurements, conduct tests and make sketches or recordings, including photographs, films, audio, video, digital or
other recordings,
• Take and remove for analysis a sample of any substance or thing without paying for it,
• Require a person at the workplace to give the inspector reasonable help to exercise the inspector's powers,
• Exercise any compliance power or other power that is reasonably necessary to be exercised by the inspector for the purposes
of the Act.

A person required to give reasonable help must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with the requirements.

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Slide ID 784
Section 1 ► Slide 15

Resources
For information about Model Laws, Regulations and Codes of Practice visit the Safe Work Australia site.

National WHS Laws Contact

Safe Work Australia (02) 6121 6000

[email protected]
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

Queensland WorkCover (Queensland)

1300 362 128
[email protected]
www.workcoverqld.com.au
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
1300 369 915
www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace

New South Wales (NSW) WorkCover Authority of NSW

p: 131050
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Worksafe ACT

(02) 6207 3000
[email protected]
www.worksafe.act.gov.au

Northern Territory NT Worksafe

1800 019 115
[email protected]
www.worksafe.nt.gov.au

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Other Jurisdictions Contact

Western Australia Worksafe WA

1300 307 877
[email protected]
www.safetyline.wa.gov.au
WorkCover WA
1300 794 744
www.workcover.wa.gov.au

South Australia Safe Work SA

1300 365 255
[email protected]
www.safework.sa.gov.au
WorkCover SA
13 18 55
www.workcover.com

Victoria Worksafe Victoria

1800 136 089
[email protected]
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

Tasmania WorkCover Tasmania

1300 776 572
[email protected]
www.workcover.tas.gov.au

National Standards Australia

http://www.standards.org.au/Pages/default.aspx
Comcare
1300 366 979
www.comcare.gov.au
ACTU (Australian Council of Trades Unions)
1300 362 223
[email protected]
www.actu.org.au
ACCI (Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
(02) 6273 2311
[email protected]

CFMMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union)

(02) 8524 5800 vwwv.cfmeu.asn.au

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Section 2 – Identify Health and Safety Requirements -

Construction

Slide ID 785
Section 2 ► Slide 1

Duty of Care
Everyone has a duty of care, a responsibility, to make sure that they and other people are safe in the workplace. The employer, or
PCBU, has the main responsibility for the health and safety of everyone in the workplace, including visitors, this is known as the
Primary Duty of Care.

Slide ID 786
Section 2 ► Slide 2

WHS Duties
The Act outlines the general health and safety duties of PCBUs, officers of companies, unincorporated associations, government
departments and public authorities (including local governments), workers and other people at a workplace. These general duties
require the duty holder to ensure health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable, by eliminating risks to health and safety. If this
is not possible, risks must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Your duty of care is to do everything reasonably practicable
to protect yourself and others from harm.

Ordinarily, cost will not be the key factor in determining what it is reasonable for a duty holder to do unless it can be shown to be
‘grossly disproportionate' to the risk. If the risk is particularly severe, a PCBU will need to demonstrate that costly safety measures are
not reasonably practicable due to their expense and that other less costly measures could also effectively minimise the risk.

It is the legal responsibility of everyone on site including:

• Persons conducting a business or undertaking,
• Workers and sub-contractors,
• Designers, manufacturers, and suppliers,
• Inspectors,
• Supervisors.

Slide ID 787
Section 2 ► Slide 3

Duties of a PCBU
General duties

In accordance with the WHS Act, a person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, as far as is reasonably
practicable, the health and safety of workers engaged (or caused to be engaged), or workers whose work activities are influenced by
the PCBU, while at work at that business.

Further the PCBU must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of others (i.e. customers, visitors), is not put
at risk as a result of the work performed by the business and/or its workers.

The WHS Act sets out specific duties which a PCBU must comply with as part of their general duty so far as is reasonably practicable.
These include:
• Providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, including the entering and exiting
of the workplace,
• Providing and maintaining plant, structure and systems of work that are safe and do not pose health risks (e.g. providing
effective guards on machines and regulating the pace and frequency of work),

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• Ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant, structure and substances (e.g. toxic chemicals, dusts and
fibres),
• Providing adequate facilities for the welfare of workers at workplaces under their management and control (e.g. washrooms,
lockers and dining areas)
• Providing workers with information, instruction, training, or supervision needed for them to work safely and without risks to
their health,
• Monitoring the health of their workers and the conditions of the workplace under their management and control toprevent
injury or illness, and
• Maintaining any accommodation owned or under their management and control to ensure the health and safety of workers
occupying the premises.

In addition, a PCBU with management or control of a workplace must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the means of
entering and exiting the workplace and anything arising from the workplace do not affect the health and safety of any person.

Slide ID 788
Section 2 ► Slide 4

Information, Training, Instruction and Supervision

The Act requires that the PCBU provide the proper and relevant information, training, instruction, and supervision to minimize the risk
to health and safety of all persons whilst on the worksite.

WHS Regulations state that the PCBU will ensure that the information, training, instruction, and supervision provided to all persons on
the worksite is suitable and adequate, with regard to: -
• The nature of the work carried out by the worker,
• The nature of the risks associated with the work at the time the information, training and instruction was given, and
• The control measures implemented.

It is most important that the training provided is readily understandable by any person who is receiving it.

Slide ID 789
Section 2 ► Slide 5

Duties of Workers
General duties

While at work, workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their
acts or omissions. A worker must also comply, as far as is reasonably practicable, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the
PCBU to comply with the Act and cooperate with any reasonable policy of procedure of the PCBU relating to health or safety at the
workplace, that has been communicated to workers.

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Slide ID 790
Section 2 ► Slide 6

Duties of Designers, Manufacturers and Suppliers of Plant

General duties

There is a general obligation on designers, manufacturers and suppliers of plant and substances for use by people at work to ensure
that their products are not a risk to health and safety when properly used, and to provide information on the correct use and potential
hazards associated with the use of the products in the workplace.

A person or corporation can be penalised under Work Health and Safety legislation and also under Common Law for the same
workplace incident as you have OBLIGATIONS and a DUTY of CARE under WHS Legislation and Common Law at the same time.

To prove negligence a person must be able to prove that:

• A duty of care was owed to them,
• The duty was breached, and
• Breach caused a detrimental effect to them, e.g. injury.

Slide ID 791
Section 2 ► Slide 7

Duties of Other Persons

Other people at the workplace, including customers and visitors must take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as
others who may be affected by their acts or omissions, and comply, as far as reasonably practicable, with any reasonable instruction
that is given by the PCBU to comply with the Act.

Slide ID 792
Section 2 ► Slide 8

Safe Work Practices

Safe working practices means working in a way that minimizes risk to yourself, other people, equipment, materials, the environment,
and work processes.

Safe Work Practices are developed by Principal Contractors, PCBUs and self-employed people in order to provide a safe way of
performing work activities. Safe work practices must be followed by everyone involved in the work. If the work is to be performed in a
different way the safe work practice must be reviewed and revised if necessary.

You need to work safely to protect yourself and others. Here are examples of safe work practices on a construction site:
• Not taking unnecessary risks,
• Always look out for hazards,
• Always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
• If you must smoke, do so only in designated areas,
• Keep your work area clean and tidy,
• Enter and leave the workplace using proper routes,
• Never attend work under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
• Help prevent bullying or harassment,
• Use plant tools and equipment that are in a safe working order in a way the manufacturer has instructed, and
• Storage and removal of debris

The PCBU should provide you with information about safe systems of work. This means information about the workplace itself. This
means boundaries, entry and exit points location of hazards and first aid equipment, how to move about safely, emergency exits.

You will also need to know about the procedures for handling and disposing of material and waste, and how to access amenities such
as drinking water and toilets, and other safety systems, methods and procedures which will help you work safely.

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Slide ID 793
Section 2 ► Slide 9

Safe Work Tips

Storage of materials and equipment:
• Safe and organised manner so they can be retrieved again safely,
• In accordance with MSDS and the relevant legislation and/or regulations,
• Cannot fall on a person or cause injury ( e.g. through projection of sharp edges),
• Flammable and combustible materials are contained in correct containers and properly marked,
• Heavy items are stored on lower or middle shelves.

Removal of debris:
• Should continually be removed to prevent build up,
• Build up could affect entry/exit to a site and pose a fire hazard,
• Disposal must not create a risk to the environment,

Litter:
• Includes things such as food scraps and wrappings, paper etc,
• Must be disposed of in proper containers ( e.g. garbage bins),
• Disposal must not pose a risk to the environment,

Bullying and Harassment:

• Bullying and Harassment in the workplace occurs when a reasonable person, considering all circumstances, would anticipate
that the person being harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated by the action or comment e.g. gender or race
base insults or taunts.

Site disturbance:
• Vehicles should always use nominated routes to limit mud soil etc. tracking onto public roads
• Loads should be covered to prevent materials or rubbish from escaping

Dust:
• Needs to be controlled,
• Water should be applied to roads and stockpiles to limit dust and pollution of stormwater systems,

Good housekeeping:
• Essential to a safe work site,
• Every-day cleanliness, tidiness and good order in your work area,
• Machinery and equipment maintenance so they are in safe and efficient working order,

Smoking:
• Passive smoking is known to carry health risks and the risk should be eliminated as much as possible on site,
• Smoking should not be allowed in enclosed areas,
• If smoking on site is permitted there should be designated areas, no enclosed and at least 15 metres from any flammable or
combustible goods,

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Slide ID 794
Section 2 ► Slide 10

Alcohol and Drug Use

Alcohol and drug use is a serious concern for those working in the construction industry. Statistics taken from a report of alcohol and
drug consumption by tradesmen, reveal that 50 percent of adult workers and 60 percent of apprentices drink alcohol at levels that put
them at risk. Alarmingly, statistics also indicate that 20 percent of workers report use of cannabis and 5 percent report the use of
methamphetamine.

Why is this important? Alcohol and drug use in any industry can be a cause for serious injury and carry significant negative impacts on
the individuals and those who work around them. Some of the negative impacts of alcohol and drug use include:
• Accidents and injury,
• Absenteeism,
• Lower productivity,
• Staff turnover, and
• Poor morale and working relationships.

What can you do to prevent alcohol and drug related harm in the workplace?

The key factor for the success of any alcohol and drug harm prevention program is the cooperation between all workers in the
industry. This includes management, employees and visitors on any construction site. When working together to prevent harm related
to alcohol and drug abuse, the goal is attainable.

The four components to an effective alcohol and drug program are:

• A written drug and alcohol policy,
• Education and training to inform managers and workers of the policy,
• Available counselling and treatment for workers with alcohol or drug problems, and
• Regular evaluation of the policy to determine its effectiveness.

Most importantly, an alcohol and drug program is only effective if it is meeting the specific needs of the workplace. Programs should
be tailored to suite the specific conditions, needs and resources of each workplace.

Slide ID 795
Section 2 ► Slide 11

Authorisations, Licenses and Permits

Authorisations (e.g. licenses, permits and registrations) are required for certain types of work, some workplaces and the use of some
plant. There are many common construction activities which require authorisations before they can be undertaken.

Examples of work which may require special license or permits:

• Scaffolding (over 4 metres),
• Dogging,
• Rigging,
• Crane operations,
• Hoist operation,
• Use of pressure equipment,
• Removal of asbestos,
• Gas-fitting,
• Producing, storing and transporting prescribed waste,
• Earthwork drainage,
• Dredging,
• Forklift operation,
• Laying underground electrical and water services where the work is over or under council streets/footpaths, and
• Working on or near roads.

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Slide ID 796
Section 2 ► Slide 12

Licenses and Permits: Earth Moving Equipment and Crane Operation

A person must be trained and competent but DOES NOT require a licence or ticket to operate this equipment which includes-
• Dozer, Grader, Scraper, Excavator and,
• Front-end loader, Backhoe, Skid steer loader, and
• Road Roller with an engine capacity of more than 2L, and
• Remote Controlled Bridge and Gantry Cranes only.

Although a licence or ticket issued by Workplace Health and Safety is not required to operate the equipment the person must still be
trained and competent to do so

Slide ID 797
Section 2 ► Slide 13

Prescribed Activities
The WHS Regulations require the following types of work only to be carried out or supervised by a person with prescribed
qualifications or experience:

Plant:
• maintenance, repair, inspection and testing of registered mobile cranes and tower cranes (section 235 WHS Regulation),
• maintenance, repair, inspection and testing of amusement devices (sections 240 and 241 WHS Regulations),
• verification of plant design (section 252 WHS Regulations),

Construction:
• all construction work requires general construction induction training (sections 316 and 317 WHS Regulations),

Management of asbestos:
• identification of asbestos at a workplace (section 422 WHS Regulations),

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Section 3 – Identify construction hazards and risk control

measures

Slide ID 798
Section 3 ► Slide 1

WHS Management Plans

A WHS management plan sets out the arrangements to manage work health and safety on, for example, a construction project. The
intention of a WHS management plan is to ensure the risks associated with a complex construction project are managed, as there are
usually many contractors and subcontractors involved, and circumstances can change quickly from day to day.

The WHS management plan must be in writing and should be easily understood by workers (including contractors and subcontractors).
It may not be necessary to communicate the entire WHS management plan to all workers, however, they must be made aware of the
parts that are applicable to the work they are carrying out.

As part of the WHS Management plan, the PCBU (or principal contractor), should consider the health and safety risks that potentially
could occur, then document the actions required, as well as the responsible officer on at the worksite.

The following information should be included in the management plan:

Process Action to be taken

Incident Management • Arrangements to stabilize and evacuate any injured person after ensuring the safety of rescuers,
• Arrangements for isolating the incident scene,
• Arrangements for making the workplace safe after the incident,
• Arrangements for preserving the incident site,
• Arrangements for notifying the principal contractor,
• Notification of the relevant regulator and emergency services as necessary, and
• Arrangements for the investigation of the incident.
Emergency Situations • The emergency plan for the construction project,
• Arrangements for testing of the emergency plan, and
• Arrangements for training and instruction requirements.
First Aid Situations • The facilities and first aid equipment that will be provided by the principal contractor,
• Arrangements for training in first aid, and
• First aid equipment that will be provided by contractors and subcontractors.

Slide ID 799
Section 3 ► Slide 2

Hazards and Risks

Hazards and risks are NOT the same thing.

A hazard is anything (including a person’s behaviour, and an intrinsic property of a thing) or situation to cause harm, injury, illness and
death. Hazards can include substances, plant, work processes and/or other aspects of the work environment.

A Risk Refers to the possibility that harm injury, illness and death might occur when a person is exposed to a hazard and considers the
likelihood and potential severity of harm arising from exposure to hazards.

The relationship between hazard and risk is illustrated by the examples below.

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Slide ID 800
Section 3 ► Slide 3

Common Hazards and Associated Risks

Hazard Categories Examples
Physical • Noise,
• Heat from a machine,
• Moving machinery,
• Repetitive jobs,
• Poor design,
Chemical • Solvents, cleaners and acids,
• Dust and powders (i.e. asbestos),
• Fumes from hot metals, petrol’s and gases,
• Odours from paints, plastics and pesticides,
Biological • Rusty machine parts,
• Unclean work area and facilities,
Psychological • Long shifts without proper breaks,
Electrical • Broken or frayed cords,
• Exposed wires.
• Faulty electrical wiring

HAZARD RISK

Work environment: The likelihood that a work might suffer carbon monoxide poisoning because they are using a petrol
confined space operated pump in a well (ie - an inadequately ventilated space)

Energy: electricity The likelihood that a worker might be electrocuted because they are exposed to electrical wires
while using a deep fryer that has inadequate insulation on the power cable

Manual handling The likelihood that a worker might suffer back strain from manual lifting 40 kg bags

Noise The likelihood that workers and others in the area might suffer irreparable hearing damage because
they work near someone continuously using a jack hammer which emits noise levels over 85 dB(A)

Noise The likelihood that office workers might suffer stress in the form of fatigue, anxiety and/or
aggression because they are exposed to constant low level noise of below 75dB(A)

Substance: infected blood The likelihood that a worker might sustain a cut or laceration from a piece of plant or
equipment which could result in an infection.

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Slide ID 801
Section 3 ► Slide 4

Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances can cause health effects that are immediate (i.e. poisoning and burns), and others that cause long-term health
conditions (i.e. nerve or lung damage, or cancer). Others can lead to physical hazards, such as fires and explosions.

Hazardous substances are those that, following worker exposure, can have an adverse effect on health. Examples of hazardous
substances include:
• Poisons,
• Substances that cause burns or skin and eye irritation,
• Substances that may cause cancer,
• Asbestos,
• Synthetic mineral fibres,
• Cement dust,
• Chemicals and solvents,
• Wood dust.

When dealing with hazardous substances and dangerous goods you should always:
• Comply with Material Safety Data Sheet s (SDS's),
• Wear an approved respirator, eye protection and gloves,
• Wet down dusty surfaces or areas,
• Keep vehicle speed down,
• Use wet methods when cutting hazardous materials, and
• Clean up quickly.

Workplace storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals were regulated under different pieces of legislation before the
implementation of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

The Regulations cover workplace hazardous substances and dangerous goods under a single framework for hazardous chemicals. It
also introduces a new hazard classification and hazard communication system based on the United Nations' Globally Harmonised
System of classification and labelling of chemicals.

Transitional arrangements are in place for the new classification, safety data sheets (SDS) and labelling requirements. Remember that
hazardous substances and dangerous goods will need to be disposed of safely. Make sure that you know the correct procedures for
disposal of specific items or goods.

Asbestos:
• Found in many areas including bonded form (around eaves, ceilings, wet areas) and friable form (around hot water pipes),
• Never try to remove asbestos - law states that people who assess and remove asbestos must be licensed,
• You must immediately report the presence (or suspected presence) of asbestos.

Chemicals and Solvents:

• Always check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling,
• SDS details safe handling and disposal procedures,
• If in doubt, isolate and check.

Dust (Wood or Cement):

• Dust can be dangerous to your health. Cement and gypsum-based materials are hazardous and can be found in things like
mortar, concrete and adhesives.
• Excavation, demolition and traffic flow can also cause dust problems.

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Slide ID 802
Section 3 ► Slide 5

Hazard Identification
Hazard identification is the process of recognising that a hazard exists and defining its characteristics. All hazards must be identified
and assessed to determine the level of risk. The risk must then be eliminated or controlled.

The process involves identifying all hazardous items, activities, situations, plant and equipment, products, services and processes that
could result in injury or illness. This would generally involve consideration of:
• The type of injury or illness that is possible,
• The situation or events, or combination of circumstances that could give rise to injury or illness, and
• The way work is organised and managed.

A PCBU, in managing risks to health and safety, must identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to risks to health and
safety including:
• The work premises,
• Work practices, systems and shift working arrangements (including hazardous processes, psychological hazards, and fatigue
related hazards),
• Plant (including transport, installation, erection, commissioning, use, repair, maintenance, dismantling, storage, or disposal),
• Hazardous substances (including production, handling, use, storage, transport, or disposal),
• Presence of asbestos,
• Manual handling (including the potential for occupational overuse injuries),
• Layout and condition of the workplace (including lighting and workstation design),
• Biological organisms, products, or substances,
• Physical environment (including the potential for electrocution, drowning, fire or explosion, slips, trips and falls, contact with
moving or stationary objects, exposure to noise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation, static electricity or contaminated
atmosphere), and
• Potential for violence.

Hazards are commonly identified through:

• Direct observation,
• Completing checklists,
• Site safety audits,
• Workplace inspections,
• Incident/accident investigation,
• Monitoring the work site,
• Consultation with staff or external organisations,
• Feedback from other people,
• Injury and illness records,
• References to information and historical data,
• Investigating staff concerns, and
• Environmental and health monitoring.

All employees should be involved in hazard identification. It should take place at all stages of product or service delivery, from design
to manufacture, supply and product use.

Identifying hazards should be a systematic, planned process that enables workplace hazards to be identified in a logical, structured
manner. However, hazards may also be identified through less systematic means such as internal or external complaints or
observations from employees.

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Slide ID 803
Section 3 ► Slide 6

Systematic Methods for Hazard Identification

Systematic inspections of the workplace evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the organisation's safety management
system.

Systematic methods include:

Safety audits - External consultants or WHS professionals may conduct the audit. Audits usually result in a written report for
management and recommendations are referred to the WHS committee/WHS representative for consideration.

Workplace inspections - Regular, systematic physical inspections of the workplace by managers, supervisors and the WHS
committee/WHS representative should be conducted. Inspections make use of observation, checklists and discussion to identify
workplace hazards.

If you identify a hazard during a workplace inspection you should:

• Assess the risk,
• Notify relevant people such as other workers and your PCBU,
• Control or stop the hazard if reasonably practical to do so,

In conducting inspections, consultation and cooperation between PCBUs and employees is essential. The WHS committee/WHS
representative can facilitate this. The outcomes of inspections and control recommendations should be documented and made
available to employees.

Incident/accident investigations - Many workplaces have a set of procedures for reporting and investigating hazards and
circumstances that contribute to incidents/accidents.

Records - Workplaces should keep records of injuries and illnesses, WHS training and incident/accidents. Information about ‘near hits’
can be very helpful in identifying hazards and preventing potential harm or damage. Registers of hazardous substances, plant or first
aid are also useful.

Consultation - A range of consultation mechanisms is available to identify hazards and bring them to the attention of the PCBU. Most
workplaces determine that a WHS committee or WHS representative(s) are the most effective means of raising
health and safety issues however other agreed arrangements could include WHS meetings, quality circles and total quality
management processes.

Environmental and health monitoring - Systematic investigation and monitoring of hazards is an effective way to bring hazards to the
attention of management and employees. As with WHS audits, monitoring may be undertaken by WHS professionals to provide
technical advice about suspected hazards. Monitoring may help in deciding whether a substance or process is hazardous and, if so, the
level of risk involved. In this way, monitoring is not only associated with hazard identification, but is also associated with workplace
assessment and control measures. Environmental monitoring measures the hazards present in the workplace environment (e.g. air
sampling) whereas health monitoring considers exposure of the individual (e.g. blood or hearing testing).

Work health and safety management system - A work health and safety management system is a system or methodology used by a
business to manage the WHS obligations within a business. It is useful for organising how workplace health and safety is managed and
provides a proactive and systematic approach. Hazard identification does not end with the initial investigation. The hazard
identification steps are repeated as part of an ongoing process, especially when there are changes in the workplace. Once a WHS
program is in place, hazard identification should be regarded as an ongoing, integral part of workplace operations.

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Slide ID 804
Section 3 ► Slide 7

Risk Management
The Act requires a PCBU to manage risks associated with the carrying out of construction work.

Risk management is a system that allows workplaces to identify WHS issues and to methodically control them by the best means
available. It provides PCBUs with a strategic means of meeting their duty of care under the Act. Risk management gives organisations
the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances as they arise. It provides health and safety practitioners with the basis for
developing a health and safety program that will systematically identify and resolve the key WHS issues in their workplace.

When risk management is carried out, it must examine tasks and activities, plant and equipment, substances, and the premises where
work is performed.

When conducting this process, it is important to consider the level of information regarding hazards which is available within the
business as well as information available external to the business, so that all factors can be considered.

Consultation with workers needs to take place when risks to health and safety are assessed and when decisions are being made about
the measures for eliminating or minimising risks. This is an important step in ensuring work health and safety.

Decisions about how to control risks must reflect a consideration of what is reasonably practicable; taking into account the various
factors that must be weighed up. These factors include the likelihood and potential severity of adverse consequences from risks,
which implies that a process of risk assessment must be undertaken before deciding on risk control options, even where there is no
explicit requirement for risk assessment.

To conduct a Risk Assessment means gathering information so that you can make a clear and educated decision about what needs to
be done to lower the risk as far as possible.

Conducting a risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examination of what could cause harm to people in your workplace and
assessing:
• The likelihood that it will do harm (probability),
• The severity of harm it could do (consequence), and
• The number of times the incident could occur (frequency).

The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill - that a person returns home safely after work. When undertaking risk
management:
• Involve workers in the process,
• Don't use it to justify a decision that has already been made,
• Consider good practice in your industry, and
• Make records of any risk management activities undertaken

Risk management can be applied at many levels in an organisation. It can be applied at the strategic level and at the operational level.
It may be applied to specific projects, to assist with specific decisions or to manage recognised risk areas.

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Slide ID 805
Section 3 ► Slide 8

Risk Management Responsibilities

Who has responsibilities for Risk Management?
• PCBUs, business owners, managers, directors, HR staff with WHS responsibilities, WHS practitioners employed on-site. PCBUs
must take a risk management approach to fulfil their WHS obligations. Risk management techniques must be applied to the
workplace and not as a generic set of principles in order to comply with responsibilities and duties prescribed by law.
• Occupiers and contractors: In the same vein as apply to PCBUs, occupiers and principal contractors must apply risk
management to fulfil their WHS responsibilities.
• Workers: As workers are the usual subjects of risk management, they too must think risks and risk management in order to
assist an overall regime of good WHS.
• Health and safety representatives/committees: Locating and understanding the risks that exist in workplaces is critical to the
role of committees and representatives who are then expected to work with management to assist in resolving these issues.
• Contractors working on-site: As workers coming on-site who are not employees need to understand the WHS issues that
affect the particular workplaces, contractors must be alerted to sound risk management practices.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of goods/equipment to workplaces: Equipment brought into a workplace must be designed with
WHS in mind and this means that possible or potential risks associated with the equipment must be assessed and addressed.

A PCBU must consult with workers when:

• Identifying hazards and assessing risks arising from work,
• Proposing changes that may affect the health and safety of workers, and
• Carrying out activities prescribed by the WHS Regulation.

A PCBU must also consult with workers and take their views into account when making decisions about:
• Ways to eliminate or minimise risks,
• The adequacy of facilities for workers' welfare,
• Procedures for consulting workers,
• Resolving health and safety issues,
• Monitoring the health and safety of workers or workplace conditions, and
• How to provide health and safety information and training to workers.

Slide ID 806
Section 3 ► Slide 9

Five Step Process

Risk management is a five-step process in controlling exposure to health and safety risks associated with hazards in the workplace.

Before approaching the five steps it is important to consider the context in which the risk management process takes place.

The five steps of the risk management process are:

1. Identify hazards (find or see)
2. Assess the risks involved (think about and check)
3. Consult and report ensuring the involvement of relevant people (talk and tell)
4. Control the hazard (eliminate or minimise)
5. Review to identify change or improvement (check and reflect)

The way you implement this process at your workplace will depend on the type of work you do and the nature of hazards and risks at
your workplace.

Risk management is a process than can contribute to organisational improvement. With each cycle, risk criteria can be strengthened to
achieve progressively better levels of risk management.

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Slide ID 807
Section 3 ► Slide 10

Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are substances, mixtures, or articles that, because of their physical, chemical (physicochemical) or acute toxicity
properties, present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment.

Types of substances that are classified as dangerous goods include:

• Explosives,
• Flammable liquids and gases,
• Corrosives, and
• Chemically reactive or acutely (highly) toxic substances.

The criteria used to determine whether substances are classified as dangerous goods are contained in the Australian
Dangerous Goods Code (ADG code). The ADG code contains a list of substances classified as dangerous goods.

Slide ID 808
Section 3 ► Slide 11

Dust
Dust can come in many forms and can be very dangerous to your health, in particular a natural substance called Silica, found in most
rocks, sand and clay, and in products such as bricks and concrete, can cause some serious harm if inhaled.

Work processes such as cutting, sanding, carving, grinding, blasting, or polishing materials containing silica can generate respirable
crystalline silica (RCS).

RCS dust particles are so small they cannot be seen under ordinary lighting. RCS is hazardous to health, and the small particle size
means it is easily inhaled deep into the lungs.

Construction workers are more likely to be exposed to RCS when performing:

• Tunnelling,
• Labouring,
• Demolition,
• Concrete grinding,
• Brick, concrete or stone cutting, especially using dry methods,
• Excavation, earth moving and drilling plant operations, and
• Paving and surfacing.

Activities like dry cutting of bricks and concrete with diamond tipped blades can also produce very high levels of silica dust.

Control the risks

Reducing the airborne concentration of RCS is more effective than simply relying on respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Look
carefully at the control measures that can be used, some are more cost effective and practical for each situation than others.

You can control RCS risks by:

• Stopping or reducing the dust,
• Controlling the dust, and
• Maintaining and reviewing the controls.

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Slide ID 809
Section 3 ► Slide 12

Noise
Noise is usually caused by vehicles and traffic, machinery and heavy equipment, hand and explosive powered tools. It can affect your
health, or the health of others through hearing loss or damage, stress, headaches, and problems with communication.

You should always wear hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs, ear muffs or both) where noise levels could cause deafness or hearing
damage. Personal hearing protectors should be used when noise levels cannot be reduced by other control measures. Note that
Personal hearing protectors should not be used as a substitute for engineering or administrative noise control measures.

Be aware of the appropriate sound level or decibel (this is the unit used to measure the intensity of the sound wave) specified for
construction activities. Your supervisor can help with this.

Staff at workplaces should be:

• Supplied with personal hearing protectors of correct rating and suitable for the work conditions,
• Instructed in their correct use,
• Instructed to wear them when exposed to noise, and
• Monitored to ensure they wear hearing protection.

Also, always consider other people (both on and off site) when noise is a concern. Schedule your work in a way that minimises noise
disruption. Areas where people may be exposed to excessive noise should be signposted as 'hearing protection areas' at every entry
point to the areas. The boundaries of these areas should be clearly defined.

No person, including visitors, managers or supervisors, should enter a hearing protection area during normal operation unless they
wear appropriate personal hearing protectors, however short the entry period.

Slide ID 810
Section 3 ► Slide 13

Manual Handling
This is any activity that requires you to use force to lift, lower, push, pull, curry or otherwise move any load involving one or more of
the following:
• Repetitive or sustained force,
• High or sudden force,
• Repetitive movement,
• Sustained or awkward posture, or
• Exposure to vibration.

Incorrect manual handling practices are a common form of injury and can often result in serious and long term injury. When
determining control measures to manage hazardous manual task risks, consider:
• Postures, movements, forces, vibration,
• Duration and frequency,
• Workplace environmental conditions,
• Design of work area,
• Layout of the workplace,
• Systems of work used, and
• Nature, size, weight or number of persons, animals or things involved.

Shoulders, hands, neck, back and knees are the most common areas of injury. You can break bones, fracture vertebrae in your neck or
back, twist and sprain muscles and ligaments. You can also pinch nerves. These injuries are costly to you and your workplace.

If it is an awkward or heavy load, do not attempt to do it by yourself. Organise others to work as a team to shift the load. One person
should take charge of the lifting. It is also best to use people of similar height. Relevant stakeholders must consult and work together
to identify and manage the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

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Safe work procedures (SWP) for manual handling

The aim of a SWP is to help supervisors, workers, and any other persons at the workplace to understand how to carry out a task in a
safe and healthy manner. It sets out the work activities in a logical sequence and identifies hazards and describes the control
measures.

The information in a SWP is developed after the risk assessment, identification, and implementation of suitable controls. This process
should include consultation with workers.

As a part of risk management, it is important to monitor and review the controls and ensure that any new hazards are managed. If the
task remains hazardous, further risk assessment and management will be required.

Slide ID 811
Section 3 ► Slide 14

Plant and Equipment

The operation of powered mobile plant at construction workplaces exposes workers to a range of risks to health and safety, including
the risks of:
• The plant overturning,
• Things falling on the operator of the plant,
• The operator being ejected from the plant,
• The plant colliding or coming into contact with any person or thing (e.g. workers, other vehicles or plant, energised power
lines), and
• Mechanical or other failures (e.g. hydraulic failures, release of hazardous substances).

Powered mobile plant is defined by the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 to mean any plant that is provided with some
form of self-propulsion that is ordinarily under the direct control of an operator, and includes:
• Earthmoving machinery (e.g. rollers, graders, scrapers, bobcats),
• Excavators,
• Cranes,
• Hoists,
• Elevating work platforms,
• Concrete placement booms, and
• Reach stackers and forklifts.

Use only plant and equipment that are safe to use. Make sure the equipment you use has been correctly serviced and checked.

Operation of Plant Equipment

The WHS Regulation requires high risk work licenses for plant operation. If you carry a high-risk license to operate plant equipment you
should ONLY use plant and equipment for the purpose(s) for which they are meant to be used.

Remember that all guards should be fitted safely and be in good condition. Knife blades must be covered when they are not in use and
must be secured or locked in place when in use. Live electrical equipment must never be worked on until they are de-energised and/or
physically isolated. You should always ask your supervisor or other responsible person to shut down and tag out (or lock out) systems
if needed.

Remember to keep an eye out for:

• Overhead power lines,
• Exposed, moving mechanical components (e.g. gears, drive shafts, pulleys), and
• Areas where there could be a release of steam, chemicals, pressurised fluids or biological hazards.

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Slide ID 812
Section 3 ► Slide 15

Traffic and Mobile Plant

You must be licensed to operate and able to safely control. Make sure you only operate plant and equipment that you are licensed to
use and can safely control and operate. Only use the equipment for the purpose for which it was designed to be used.

You must carry out all pre-operational checks when starting or taking over equipment. Remember to check warning and hazard signs
and lights.

Also, make sure that you:

• Work only within the specified areas,
• Be careful and follow road rules and transport rules when moving between sites,
• Be aware of people and objects around you when working,
• Identify and avoid potential hazards,
• Observe and obey warning signs,
• Identify and mark services, and isolate (and tiger tag) overhead power lines if needed,
• Follow correct procedures when parking, storing and isolating equipment and attachments,
• Follow lock up and isolation procedures if plant and equipment are to be left overnight,
• Replace or tag faulty items and report any damage or faults immediately,
• Complete all minor maintenance within guidelines and to your level of responsibility,
• Record and report other maintenance and repairs,
• Be aware of and avoid contact with moving parts and hot engine/body parts and lubricants (oils), and
• Replace or check guards before and after use.

Slide ID 813
Section 3 ► Slide 16

Electrical Safety
Electricity and working with electrical equipment can be extremely dangerous. People can be seriously injured when they become part
of the electrical circuit. There are four main types of injuries: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls. These injuries can
happen in various ways:
• Direct contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. When electrical current travels through our bodies, it can
interfere with the normal electrical signals between the brain and our muscles (e.g., heart may stop beating properly,
breathing may stop, or muscles may spasm),
• When the electricity arcs (jumps, or "arcs") from an exposed energized conductor or circuit part (e.g., overhead, power lines)
through a gas (such as air) to a person who is grounded (that would provide an alternative route to the ground for the
electrical current),
• Thermal burns including burns from heat generated by an electric arc, and flame burns from materials that catch on fire from
heating or ignition by electrical currents or an electric arc flash. Contact burns from being shocked can burn internal tissues
while leaving only very small injuries on the outside of the skin, and
• Thermal burns from the heat radiated from an electric arc flash. Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light emitted from the arc
flash can also cause damage to the eyes.

You must report all electrical shocks and short circuits. Australian standards and WHS legislation demand that regular routine
inspections of electrical equipment happen, this includes:
• Testing and tagging all electrical equipment quarterly, and
• Checking extension leads and portable tools for defects and correct tags prior to use.

In work areas, all electrical leads should be suspended off the ground. Equipment must be earthed properly, and portable equipment
must include a portable earth leakage circuit breaker (a residual current device RCD). This is an added protection and should not be
used as a sole protection.

Where a portable generator is being used, make sure that the wiring is correct and that the outlet socket, generator, and frame have a
common earth wired by a licence electrician.

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Slide ID 814
Section 3 ► Slide 17

UV Radiation
Along with heat stress, ultra-violet (UV) radiation is one of the hazards workers encounter when exposed to the sun. You should
know that it can also come from lasers, welding flashes and high intensity lighting.

UV radiation passes through the skin and harms the living cells in the body. These cells swell and the skin burns. Your eyes are also at
risk.

Make sure you take sensible measures to protect your skin from UV radiation (sunburn). Wear appropriate PPE if you are welding or
exposed to lasers or high intensity lighting.

Always remember to:

• Slip on a shirt,
• Slop on the sunscreen,
• Slap on a hat,
• Seek out shade, and
• Slide on wraparound sunglasses.

Slide ID 815
Section 3 ► Slide 18

Working at Heights and Falls

Falls from heights are one of the most common forms of serious injury or death on work sites. When working at heights, appropriate
protection must be given to you, and used. This rule applies regardless of the height at which you are working.

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 sets out the specific control measures that are required where there is a risk of a fall of at
least:
• Three metres in housing construction work, and
• Two metres in other construction work.
You must make sure that:
• As much as possible is done at ground level,
• Passageways, aisles and stairs are clear of obstruction,
• People below are protected,
• Ladders are used correctly,
• Edge protection is used if a person is likely to fall more than 2 metres or there is a risk (e.g. guard rails, barricades, or other
solid and secure safety screens),
• A safety harness, safety net or other system is used if edge protection can’t be used,
• All scaffolding, temporary structures, planks, decking, tools, and equipment etc are secured to stop them from falling, and
• You wear non-slip footwear.

Scaffold or mobile work platforms are used if work is of an extended nature if above 4 metres erected by a licensed scaffolder. A
scaffold is any temporary structure specifically erected to support access or working platforms, and includes:
• Modular or prefabricated scaffold,
• Tube and coupler scaffold,
• Cantilevered scaffold,
• Spur scaffold,
• Hung scaffold, and
• Suspended scaffold.

The erection, alteration, use and dismantling of scaffold exposes workers to the risk of a serious fall or being struck by falling objects,
such as scaffold components, tools, or in the event of a collapse, the entire scaffold.

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Slide ID 816
Section 3 ► Slide 19

Falling Objects
You must take care to ensure that objects do not fall onto or hit people during construction work and people in adjoining areas.
Adjoining areas could include a public footpath, road, square or the yard of a dwelling or other building beside a workplace.

Falling objects include equipment, material, tools and debris that can fall or be sent out sideways or upwards. Examples of falling
objects include tools falling off a work platform, rock and soil falling into a trench, falling bricks bounced off the side of a building, and
concrete pre-cast panels falling over.

It is important that:
• Perimeter containment screening, scaffold fans, hoardings or gantries are used to contain falling objects,
• Scaffolding is erected and dismantled during quiet times in built-up areas,
• Materials are never dropped from a scaffold - mechanical hoists should be used to move materials, and
• Danger tags and warning signs (such as ‘keep out - falling objects' and ‘danger - incomplete scaffolding' etc. are used to warn
people of hazards from falling objects.

Slide ID 817
Section 3 ► Slide 20

Excavations (Including Trenches)

An excavation means a trench, tunnel, or shaft, but does not include a mine, water bore, or a trench for use as a place of interment.
Excavation work introduces several risks that must be managed, including the risk of:
• A person falling into the excavation,
• A person being trapped by the collapse of an excavation,
• A person working in the excavation being struck by a falling object, and
• A person working in the excavation being exposed to an airborne contaminant.

All trenches or excavations must be barricaded or flagged off to warn people of their location, and to prevent accidental or
unauthorised entry. People are generally not allowed to enter areas immediately next to trenches or other excavations that are 1.5
metre s in depth or more, unless the sides are benched, battered, or supported.

Safe Work Method Statements are required for all high-risk construction work, including workcarried out in or near a shaft or trench
with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres or a tunnel.

Slide ID 818
Section 3 ► Slide 21

Tunnelling
A tunnel is any excavation that is approximately horizontal and starts at the surface or from within another excavation. Tunnelling
work is often highly complex and involves the use of a range of engineering and construction techniques, plant and equipment.

There are a number of risks with tunnelling work, including:

• Risk of collapse,
• Contaminated atmospheres (toxic, flammable, etc.), and
• Risks associated with heavy plant or equipment.

There numerous other risks associated with tunnelling as there are often a range of activities taking place inside a tunnel. Activities
that take place inside a tunnel and bring with them additional hazards include building support and other internal structures, installing
services, and constructing the surface.

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Workers carrying out these activities are exposed to a number of additional risks that must be managed, including:
• Noise, which can be amplified in an enclosed space,
• Heat stress,
• Air quality, and
• The movement of vehicles and mobile plant in an enclosed space.

Slide ID 819
Section 3 ► Slide 22

Confined Spaces
Many workplaces have confined spaces such as pits, drains and structural voids in buildings or equipment. They often have poor
ventilation that can allow a hazardous atmosphere to quickly develop. The hazards are not always obvious and may change from one
entry point to the next, depending on the workplace.

A confined space includes any enclosed or partially enclosed space which:

• Is not designed to be occupied by a person,
• Is not intended as a regular workspace,
• Has restricted means for entry and exit,
• May have an atmosphere that is contaminated or lacking oxygen,
• Is at atmospheric pressure,
• Has a permit system for access, and
• Has special requirements such as a permit for work, provisions for rescue and first aid, communication and people acting as
“spotters”.

Confined spaces that may be found on a construction site include some types of excavations or trenches, drainage or sewerage pipes,
and crawl spaces.

Australian Standards prescribe procedures, regulations and rules that must be followed with regard to confined spaces. These rules
must be complied with. An example of legislation, WHS Regulation, s67, which applies to confined spaces, is the requirement for a
confined space entry permit.

The PCBU must not direct a worker to enter a confined space unless that person has a confined space entry permit for work.

Slide ID 820
Section 3 ► Slide 23

Unplanned Collapse
An unplanned collapse poses a significant danger to construction workers. It can involve:
• The collapse of a building or structure (or part of a building or structure) which is weak or unstable before it has collapsed,
• The collapse, overturning or failure of a load-bearing part of a lift, crane, hoist, or lifting gear, or
• The collapse of shoring or an excavation with is more than 1.5 metres deep.

To manage the risk of unplanned collapses, the condition of roofs, walls and floors of the building should be assessed by a competent
person before commencing demolition work.

As always, you should be aware of potential hazards and risks, and comply with procedures, regulations and Australian Standards
which are in place to help you be safe at work (for example those relating to maximum load limits of load bearing equipment).

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Slide ID 821
Section 3 ► Slide 24

Hot and Cold Working Environments

Effects of extremes of temperature or humidity can be a serious cause for concern. It is important that you know the difference
between a situation which threatens health and safety, and a feeling of discomfort.

Terms like hypothermia and heat stroke refer to serious medical conditions.
• Hypothermia - is where a person gets an abnormally low body temperature as a result of exposure to cold environments. It is
a serious condition which can lead to death,
• Heat stroke - is an uncommon and more severe form of heat illness, which is a medical emergency. It occurs when the body
can no longer control the body temperature and it rises to temperature s where mental function is seriously impaired,
• Heat exhaustion - is related to lack of fluids, or a rapid loss of body fluids,
• Heat stress - is more serious and can lead to death. It is more likely to occur in conditions of high humidity. The effects of
heat and cold on the body are influenced by the environment through:
o Air temperature (how hot or cold the surrounding air is),
o Humidity (the moisture in the air),
o Air movement including air speed (or wind speed), and air circulation, and
o Radiant heat (heat radiating from the sun, or given out by plant, buildings, equipment, fixtures etc)

By themselves, they may not present a serious hazard.

Other things can make them worse. If they are present during strenuous physical work, or if you are required to wear heavy protective
clothing, the potential for harm may be greatly increase.

Extreme environments

Accidents can also occur in extreme environment where ice and water or condensation can add to slips and falls. This can include
when people are:
• Working in freezers and cold rooms,
• Using ice and iced products, and
• Moving in areas with high humidity and condensation such as kitchens, laundries, and indoor pool areas.

The best strategies to reduce the risk in extreme environmental conditions include to:
• Remove ice build-ups,
• Check door seals,
• Prevent/reduce humidity,
• Provide slip-resistant flooring, and
• Wear slip-resistant footwear.

Slide ID 822
Section 3 ► Slide 25

Infectious Diseases
Most workplaces are not at high risks of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and other viruses found in the blood
and other body fluids. Where there is a possibility that workers will be exposed to blood or other body fluids, there is potential for
transmitting viruses.

Some work activities have an increased risk, for example a plumber might be exposed to a syringe left in a toilet. Other risks relate to
workers who use sharp instruments or tools that might penetrate their skin, or poor housekeeping or personal hygiene.

Transmission will usually occur if hypodermic needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood or body fluids
penetrate the skin infected blood or body fluids splash into your eye or other mucous membranes, or onto broken skin.

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Slide ID 823
Section 3 ► Slide 26

Safety Signs and Symbols

Australian Standards specify the colour, size and shape of safety signs. Safety signs are part of the administrative controls within the
hierarchy of control. They are important communication tools, and their message must be followed.

Safety signs are classified into the following colours:

SIGN TYPE SYMBOLIC

SHAPE LEGEND COLOUR MEANING EXAMPLE

Regulatory Black when superimposed on

Not Permitted
Prohibition symbolic shape

Regulatory White when superimposed Indicate a restriction that must

Mandatory on symbolic shape be followed

Regulatory Black when superimposed on Indicate a restriction that must

Restriction symbolic shape be followed

Black when superimposed on Indicate a hazard that is not likely

Hazard Warning
symbolic shape to be life threatening

Hazard Danger Black when superimposed on Used when actual dangers exist
symbolic shape

Emergency White when superimposed on

Information Emergency Information
symbolic shape

White when superimposed on Indicate fire equipment

Fire Sign
symbolic shape

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Notices and signs are classified into seven main groups: Regulatory prohibition, Regulatory Mandatory, Regulatory Restriction, Hazard
Warning, Hazard Danger and Emergency information and Fire signs refer to section.

The following is a Combination Safety Sign usually posted on the perimeter fence of a Construction Site. This safety sign will identify a
number of safey elements that need to be observed and adhered to whilst on site.

All signs required by relevant Acts or Regulations shall comply with Australian Standards or as dictated by operational requirements.
All signs shall be maintained free of obstruction and in a clean, visible and legible condition. Faded or damaged signs shall be reported
and replaced.

Slide ID 824
Section 3 ► Slide 27

Electrical Warning Signs

All sub-stations, switch rooms, transformers, generating stations and other electrical installations shall display statutory notices and
signs as required by legislation. In particular:

• No unauthorised entry,
• No unauthorised handling or interfering with electrical equipment,
• Procedure in case of fire,
• Procedure in case of electric shock,
• Any missing, unclear, incorrect or obsolete colour codes or markings should be reported to the immediate supervisor or your
health and safety representative.

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Slide ID 825
Section 3 ► Slide 28

Lock Out, Isolation and Safety Tagging

Lock Out, Isolation and Safety Tagging

Isolation, tagging and lock out procedures are designed to protect people and property in a workplace from hazards related to
electrical power, damaged equipment, or machinery or when repairs, maintenance or inspections are carried out.

Before any repair or alteration work is started the electrical circuits or equipment to be worked on must be disconnected from the
electricity supply unless other adequate precautions are taken to prevent electric shock.

These devices include switches with a built-in lock, and lockouts for circuit breakers, fuses, and all types of valves. A tag on its own is
not an effective isolation device. A tag acts only as a means of providing information to others at the workplace. A lock should be used
as an isolation device and can be accompanied by a tag.

Lock Out

Lock out is the best way of preventing machinery or electrical current becoming operational during maintenance. A lock is attached to
the machine switch so that it cannot be turned on. The employee working with the machine should hold the only key to the lock. A
lock must only be removed from equipment or machinery by the person who attached it. Procedures must be put in place for the
removal of the lock in case this person is not available, for example if there has been a change of shift workers.

Isolation and Tagging

Before you start work:

• Switch off,
• Isolate circuits,
• Fix appropriate tags,
• Test that the electricity supply is isolated, and
• Always test your test instruments.

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Slide ID 826
Section 3 ► Slide 29

Danger Tags
Personal “DANGER” tags are colour-coded red, black and white, and are used while equipment and machinery is being repaired or
serviced.

A “DANGER” tag on an item of equipment is a warning to all persons that the equipment is being worked on and must not be operated
as lives may be placed in danger.

If turning on a switch or valve or operating any machinery or equipment you are working on will place you or someone else in danger
you must fix your own “DANGER” tags. They must be tied on every main isolation switch or valve, and you must make sure the switch
is in the correct safe position before you start the job. When two or more employees are working on the same job, they must each fix
their own danger tag.

“DANGER” tags are for everyone's safety. You must:

• Sign and date the tag,
• Only fix and remove your own “DANGER” tags,
• Place tags at common isolation points,
• Tie the tag securely, and
• Remove your tag at the end of the shift or when the work is done.

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Slide ID 827
Section 3 ► Slide 30

Out of Service Tags

Yellow and black “OUT OF SERVICE” tags are used to warn people machinery, appliances or equipment is damaged,
unsafe or out of service for repairs. They are used to prevent accidents and damage to the equipment or machinery.

While an “OUT OF SERVICE” tag is fixed to machinery, appliances, or equipment it must not be operated.

If you are required to fix “OUT OF SERVICE” tags, you must:

• Be authorised to fix and remove them,
• Write your name and the fault on all tags,
• Place them in a prominent position,
• Place tags at common isolation points, and
• Leave tags on until the machinery or equipment is repaired and is safe to use.

Any faulty equipment should be tagged “OUT OF SERVICE” so that it cannot be used until it is replaced or repaired.

The safe work procedures for the removal of “DANGER” and “OUT OF SERVICE” tags at your workplace must be followed.

Talk to your PCBU or supervisor if you are unsure about tagging machinery and equipment correctly.

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Slide ID 828
Section 3 ► Slide 31

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The supply of Personal Protective Equipment is required so as to minimize the risk to health and safety in relation to the work
conducted in a workplace, in accordance with clause 36, of the WHS Regulations 2017, hierarchy of control measures.

It is a requirement that the PCBU, who directs the completion of work that may cause a risk to health and safety, to provide such
personal protective equipment. In selecting the PPE, the PCBU must ensure that the PPE is:
• Suitable for the nature of the work conducted, in respect to the potential hazards,
• A suitable size and fit and is comfortable for the worker to use and wear, and
• Used and worn by the worker and other persons at the workplace, as and when required.

Personal protective equipment must be maintained, repaired or replaced so that can continue to minimize the risk to health and safety
in the workplace.

The PCBU is require providing the worker, and other persons in the workplace, with proper information, training, and instruction on
the use, wearing, storage and maintenance of PPE.

PPE is an essential part of the work environment on site, not only for your protection but for the safety of others. Personal protective
equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment designed to be worn by someone to protect them from the risk of injury or illness. PPE that
is used by workers shall only be an approved type and must have the registered mark of the Australian Standards (AS) displayed or be
otherwise approved by the relevant authority.

Where does the use of PPE fit in the risk management process?

The provision of PPE should always be considered as a last resort, when engineering or work procedures cannot remove a hazard
(unless stated in a Safety Data Sheet or work practice). Therefore, PPE should only be used:
• As a last resort, where there are no other practical control measures available,
• To be a short-term measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used,
• Together with other controls measures such as local exhaust ventilation, and
• By itself during maintenance activities.

Slide ID 829
Section 3 ► Slide 32

Choosing Personal Protective Equipment

There are several factors to consider before choosing the right Personal Protective Equipment to use on site or for a specific work task.
You should consider the following when considering the type of PPE to use:
• The suitability to yourself the worker
• The suitability to the work task
• The suitability to the work environment

Suitability to yourself, the worker

• Check the PPE is a suitable size and fit for each worker. Respiratory protective equipment, for example, requires a good facial
seal.
• If PPE is comfortable to wear and workers are involved in choosing it, they will be more likely to use it.
• Individual circumstances of workers may affect choice. For example, wearing of prescription glasses, allergies such as latex
allergy and some medical conditions.
• Consider workers’ medical conditions, which can influence whether they can use certain items of equipment.

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Suitability to the work task

• Match the PPE to the hazard, remembering that a work task may expose workers to more than one hazard. For example,
welders may need protection from harmful welding gases and fumes, as well as ultraviolet radiation, hot metal and sparks.
• How the work is carried out and the level of risk to the worker. For example, a more protective respirator may needto worn
where the level of air contamination is very high.
• How long PPE will need to be worn.
• Work demands of the work activity. For example, the level of physical activity or dexterity required.
• Make sure PPE that is to be worn at the same time can be used together.

Suitability to the Work environment

Understand the impacts of a hot and humid work environment.

If you are protecting against exposure to a substance such as a hazardous chemical or a biological substance, consider how the
substance can enter the body. For example, where a chemical can be absorbed through the lungs and skin, skin protection as well as
respiratory protection may be required. Choose PPE that meets current Australian Standards.

Slide ID 830
Section 3 ► Slide 33

Care for your Personal Protective Equipment

Maintenance
• Proper care and maintenance is essential to ensure PPE continues to provide the necessary level of protection,
• Look for broken or damaged components before using PPE and repair or replace it as needed,
• Replace PPE that has expired or reached its usable lifespan,
• Clean reusable PPE after use and store in a clean area such as a cupboard, drawer, or resealable container, and
• Report broken, damaged or contaminated PPE.

Sharing PPE
Most PPE is provided for the personal use of a worker. However, PPE may be shared in some circumstances, for example where PPE is
only required for limited periods.

Shared PPE must be properly cleaned and disinfected before it is used again to ensure there are no health risks to the next person.
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate methods.

Information, training, and instruction

Workers must be provided with enough information, training, and instruction on when to use PPE and how to:
• Use, fit and wear it including any adjustments that may be needed,
• Carry out repair or replace parts, and
• Clean and store it correctly.

When wearing more than one item of PPE to protect against substances, such as hazardous chemicals or biological substances, it is
important to put on and remove each item correctly. If hands could become contaminated when removing PPE, it is important to wash
them thoroughly to prevent accidental contamination.

Watch the following video for an example on how to put on and take off Personal Protective Equipment here.

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Slide ID 831
Section 3 ► Slide 34

Properly fitting Personal Protective Equipment

We have identified that PPE is designed to assist with keeping workers safe from hazards and risks whilst at work. However, and regardless
of how good the PPE is and/or how well designed it is, wearing PPE that has been improperly fitted can have dire consequences for the
worker.

As part of its safety obligations to inform, train and instruct, the PCBU’s must ensure that workers correctly use, fit and wear their PPE; and
the following information shall assist the worker to adhere to their obligations of ensuring their own safety and the safety of other in the
workplace.

Head Protection: Hard hats are not one standard size and therefore have adjustable headbands, A proper fitting hard hat should: -
• Allow good clearance the shell and its harness to ensure,
o Ventilation, and
o Distribution of impact.
o Be secured to ensure it does not, bind, slip and/or fall, or rub against the skin and cause irritation.

The following are key elements of safety helmets: -

• The brim will prevent spilled or splashed liquids from getting onto a worker’s eyes,
• Additions to the hard hat include,
o Face Shields,
o Goggles,
o Hearing Protection (i.e. attached Earmuffs), and
o Lights,
• A ratchet that allows an easy adjustment of the hard hat that when adjusted properly, will ensure a proper, snug, and
comfortable fit,
• A chin strap designed to ensure the hard hat stays securely on the head.

However, perhaps the most critical component of the hard hat is the harness or the suspension system. This will keep the hat away from
your head and act as ventilation; as well it will act as a shock absorber and distribute the force from any impact evenly.

Hand Protection: Gloves are the obvious choice for hand protection, and the type and style of glove to be worn will depend on the work
being performed, as well as the person wearing them. When selecting gloves, ensure that the glove: -
• Fits properly and is not too big, nor too small,
• Allows for easy gripping and holding of items,
• Is not loose and be able to be caught in moving machinery.

Eye Protection: The working environment should be critically analysed to identify any potentially hazardous processes or situations that
may result in eye damage. Where there is a likelihood of worker exposure to eye damage hazards, steps should be taken to minimise
that exposure as far as practicable. A thorough examination of work practices is essential. Procedures should be adopted to ensure that
workers are not unnecessarily exposed to the hazard.

Safety glasses are used to neutralize the most common forms of hazards and risks to a worker’s eyesight. It is important to ensure the
correct form of eye protection is identified and used, by ensuring the safety glasses: -
• Rest firmly on top of the bridge of the nose,
• Rests close to the face, but not pressed against it,
• Do not slide down the nose due to sweat or moisture,
• Are not loosely fitted, and so the arms must neatly sit behind each ear,
• Have three points of fitting, the nose and behind each ear.

Hearing Protection: it is important to carefully select the correct hearing protection to suit the worker as well as the noise within the
workplace. If little protection is provided, hearing can be damaged, if there is too much protection, communications, and isolation (from
the workplace) can occur. The most common hearing protection provided includes: -
• Formable inserts (ear plugs) are the expandable, slow recovery type that offer good hearing protection and are comfortable.
Inserting them is three (3) simple steps, to make sure the ear plug is a comfortable fit, and is inserted well into the ear canal:
o Roll the ear plug into a small, thin tube with your fingers,
o Pull the top of ear up and back with your opposite hand, to straighten the ear canal,
o Insert the rolled-up ear plug into the ear canal, hold it in place until it expands to fill the canal.

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• Earmuffs, offer many advantages over ear plugs (and other hearing protection), they are simple remove and replace which
makes them good for intermittent use. To ensure that they provide good protection from workplace noise;
o Extend the headband to the furthest point,
o Place the earmuffs on your head (covering your ears), making sure the outer ear sits inside the cups (of the
earmuffs),
o With hands firmly placed on the earcups, push up against the headband, to adjust the strap and achieve a
comfortable fit on your head,
o The headband should rest comfortably on the top of your head, and the whole outer ear should fit comfortably
inside the earcups,
o Ensure there no obstructions to the earmuffs, including, long hair and jewellery, that will interfere with the cushion
seal against the side of your head.;

Respiratory Protection: shall be provided to each worker when it is deemed necessary to protect their health and safety from
hazardous substances that may be present at the workplace. Consideration must be given to ensure that the respiratory protection is
suitable to the environment the work is being performed, for example.
• Airborne contaminants,
o Fumes – including welding fumes,
o Asbestos,
o Hazardous chemicals and dusts
o Infectious substances,
• When there are low levels of oxygen, including working in confined spaces,

The effectiveness of a proper fitting respirator (or facepiece), that uses straps, needs a good seal on the face, therefore if this seal is not
made, the facepiece will not provide the protection it is designed to do. Facial hair including beards, moustaches, sideburns, and stubble
are examples of what can stop the facepiece making a proper seal against the face.

Note, that other PPE, such as safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats, can compete with the facepiece, and if the facepiece does
not fit properly, it can, for example, fog the safety glasses, thus affecting the view. Therefore, it is important that the facepiece fits
securely onto the face with its nose clasp crimped on the bridge of the nose.

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Section 4 – Identify Health and Safety Communication and

Reporting Processes
Slide ID 832
Section 4 ► Slide 1

Health and Safety Personnel

Health and Safety Representative (HSR)

A health and safety representative is a worker who has been elected by a work group to represent them on health and safety issues.

WHS representatives are nominated and appointed to represent your work site and its workers (including their views, interests, and
concerns). They can help you to raise any WHS issues or concerns that you may have.

Their responsibilities include:

• To consult with the PCBU and workers, and provide information on Work Health and Safety matters,
• To assist workers to raise Work Health and Safety issues,
• To secure the participation and involvement of workers in health and safety matters, and
• To cooperate with your PCBU in relation to Work Health and Safety.

A HSR represents the health and safety interests of a work group. There can be as many HSRs and deputy HSRs as needed after
consultation, negotiation, and agreement between workers and their PCBUs.

A PCBU must keep a current list of all HSRs and deputy HSRs and display a copy at the workplace. The list must also be given to
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (or your state regulatory body).

Slide ID 833
Section 4 ► Slide 2

Health and Safety Representative Powers and Functions

The role of a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is generally limited to their work group unless there is a serious risk to the health
or safety of other workers from an immediate hazard or a worker in another work group asks for their assistance, and the HSR for that
other work group is found to be unavailable.

An HSR can:
• Inspect the workplace or any area where work is carried out by a worker in the work group,
• Accompany a workplace health and safety inspector during an inspection of the area the HSR represents,
• Be present at an interview with a worker that the HSR represents (with their consent) and the PCBU or an inspector about
health and safety issues,
• Request a health and safety committee be established,
• Monitor compliance measures by the PCBU,
• Represent the work group in health and safety matters,
• Investigate complaints from members of the work group, and
• Inquire into any risk to the health or safety of workers in the work group.

A HSR is not personally liable for anything done, or not done, in good faith while carrying out their role.

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Slide ID 834
Section 4 ► Slide 3

Health and Safety Committee

Health and Safety Committee

A Health and Safety Committee is a group including workers, HSRs and PCBUs that facilitates cooperation between a PCBU and
workers to provide a safe place of work.

A health and safety committee (HSC) facilitates cooperation between a PCBU and workers in developing and carrying out measures to
ensure health and safety at work. This includes health and safety standards, rules, and procedures for the workplace.

A PCBU must set up an HSC within two months of being requested to do so by an HSR, or by five or more workers in a workplace or
when required by the WHS Regulation.

A PCBU can also establish an HSC on their own initiative. At least half of the members of a HSC must be workers that have not been
nominated by the PCBU. A HSR can also consent to be a member of the committee and, when a workplace has more than one HSR,
they can choose one or more to be members.

When agreement cannot be reached on the composition of an HSC, any party to the committee can request an inspector's assistance
to decide the matter. An HSC must meet at least once every three months and at any reasonable time at the request of at least half of
the members of the committee.

Slide ID 835
Section 4 ► Slide 4

Other Important Personnel

Many people are involved in WHS communication and processes. Other key people (besides the WHS representative)
include:
• Your supervisor,
• Your workplace WHS committee,
• Emergency services staff,
• First aid officers,
• Project manager, or
• People managing your company.

Sometimes the designated WHS Representative for your workplace will be the PCBU or the person with management control.

Slide ID 836
Section 4 ► Slide 5

Election and Eligibility

Any worker or group of workers can ask the PCBU for whom they are carrying out work to set up a work group at one or more
workplaces for the purpose of electing a Health and Safety Representative (HSR).

If a request is made for the election of a HSR, a PCBU must start negotiations with workers within 14 days. Negotiations between a
PCBU and workers will determine the:
• Number and composition of the work group(s),
• Number of HSRs and deputy HSRs, and
• Workplace(s) to which the work group(s) apply.

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The members of a work group elect their own HSR, with all members eligible to vote in an election. To be eligible for election, a person
must be a member of the work group and not be disqualified from acting as a HSR. Upon a request for the election of an HSR, a PCBU
must provide resources and assistance to carry out the election. Members of a work group decide how to elect a HSR. Elections for a
deputy HSR are carried out in the same way.

The term of office for a HSR or deputy HSR is three years. They cease to hold office if:
• They leave the work group,
• They are disqualified from being an HSR,
• They resign as an HSR, and
• The majority of members of the group agree the person should no longer represent them.

HSRs can be re-elected. Elections are not needed when the number of candidates is the same as the number of vacancies. Any person
adversely affected by a decision or action of a HSR can apply to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (or your state
regulatory body) to have them disqualified.

Slide ID 837
Section 4 ► Slide 6

Issue Resolution
If there is a health and safety issue at a workplace, the relevant parties must make reasonable efforts to achieve a timely, final and
effective resolution of the issue in accordance with an agreed procedure or the default procedure set out in the WHS Regulation.

Relevant parties are:

• The PCBU or their representative,
• Each PCBU or their representative, if the issue involves more than one PCBU,
• The HSR for that work group or his/her representative, if the worker(s) affected by the issue is/are in a work group, and
• The worker(s) or his/her representative, if the worker(s) affected by the issue is/are not in a work group.

A person's representative may enter the workplace for the purpose of attending discussions with a view to resolving the issue. If an
issue remains unresolved, one of the parties may ask Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (or your state regulatory body) to
appoint an inspector to attend the workplace and assist in resolving the issue.

Such a request does not prevent a worker from ceasing unsafe work or a HSR from issuing a PIN or directing workers to cease unsafe
work. Although an inspector cannot determine the issue, the inspector may exercise any of his/her compliance powers under the WHS
Act.

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Slide ID 838
Section 4 ► Slide 7

Overview of WHS Responsibilities for key personnel

PCBU • Has a primary duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers
whilst at work, which includes.
o Provision and maintenance of safe work environment,
o Provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures,
o Provision and maintenance of safe systems of work,
o Provision of accessible and adequate facilities,
o Provision of instruction, training, information and
supervision,
o Monitoring of workers health and conditions at the
workplace,

Worker • Take reasonable care of own personal health and not do anything that
would affect the health and safety of others at work,
• Follow any reasonable health and safety instructions from the employer,
• Ensure the following,
o Work safely,
o Follow instructions,
o Seek advice/clarification on how to safely perform tasks,
o Use PPE in accordance with training and instructions,
o Report injuries or unsafe or unhealthy situations to the
supervisor,

Supervisor • Ensure that any/all work performed in the workplace is undertaken in a

safe manner,
• Make decisions about health and safety that may affect work activities
or other people,
• Ensure legal requirements regarding health and safety are met,
• Action safety reports and carrying out workplace inspections,
• Ensure safe work method statements are completed,
• Ensure safe work practices,
• Conduct inductions and regular safety briefings,
• Participate in incident investigations,
• Lead by example and promote health and safety at every opportunity.

Health and Safety Representative • Represent the workers in their workgroup in relation to WHS matters,
• Assist in the identification of hazards and risks,
• Monitor the PCBU’s compliance with the WHS Act,
• Investigate WHS complaints from members of the workgroup, and
• Inquire into WHS risks to workers.

WHS Committee • Facilitate co-operation in developing and carrying out measures to

improve the safety of workers,
• Help develop health and safety standards, rules and procedures,
• Provide a forum to discuss WHS issues,
• Recommend corrective action to reduce hazards,
• Evaluate reports submitted by the Health and Safety Representative.

First Aid Officer • Administering First Aid when an incident occurs in the workplace,
• Assess injured worker and identify possible first aid solutions,
• Monitor and report WHS risks and incidents,
• Maintaining and restocking the First Aid kit,
• Maintaining the First Aid Room, where applicable.

Other Persons • Take reasonable care of own personal health and that of others who
may be affected by their actions and omissions whilst at the workplace,
• Comply with, so far as they are reasonably able, any reasonable
instruction given by the PCBU,

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Slide ID 839
Section 4 ► Slide 8

Consultation: Duty to Consult Workers

The PCBU must, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult, in accordance with the Act and its regulations, with workers who carry out
work for the business or undertaking who are, or are likely to be, directly affected by a matter relating to work health or safety.

This duty to consult is based on the recognition that worker input and participation improves decision-making about health and safety
matters and assists in reducing work-related injuries and disease.

Workers are entitled to take part in consultation arrangements and to be represented in relation to work health and safety by a health
and safety representative who has been elected to represent their work group. If workers are represented by a health and safety
representative, consultation must involve that representative.

The PCBU must also consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with contractors and sub-contractors and their employees, on-hire
workers, volunteers, and any other people who are working for you and who are directly affected by a health and safety matter.

Therefore, If the PCBU and the workers have agreed to procedures for consultation, the consultation must be in accordance with those
procedures.

Slide ID 840
Section 4 ► Slide 9

Consultation: Nature of Consultation

Consultation in the Act requires:
• That the relevant information about the matter is shared with workers,
• That the workers be given a reasonable opportunity to express their views and to raise work health or safety issues in relation
to the matter, and to contribute to to the decision-making process relating to the matter.
• That the views of the workers are taken into account by the PCBU, and
• That the workers consulted, are advised of the outcome of the consultation in a timely manner.
• If the workers are represented by a health and safety representative, the consultation must involve that representative.

The outcome of the consultation should be a shared understanding of what the risks are, which workers are affected and how the risks
will be controlled.

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Slide ID 841
Section 4 ► Slide 10

Co-operation and Co-ordination

On occasions where more than one business or undertaking operates at a worksite, a number of people can share responsibility for
work health and safety to varying degrees; these worksites can include, shopping centres, construction projects, labour hire and multi-
tenanted office buildings.

It is often assumed that someone else is going to be responsible for health and safety, perhaps because that person is more directly
involved in the activity, especially where there are numerous people involved in the work. This unfortunately result in nobody taking
the necessary action.

Notwithstanding, what is important to realise, is that every PCBU, must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the elimination or
minimisation of risks to health and safety.

Consultation, amongst all involved parties, should commence during the planning of the work, to ensure that health and safety
measures are identified and implemented from the start. A need for further consultation may arise when circumstances change over
the period of the work, including the work environment and the people involved in the work. This is particularly so in construction and
other long-term projects.

Slide ID 842
Section 4 ► Slide 11

How to Raise Health and Safety Matters

It is important that you have an opportunity to raise issues about health and safety in your workplace and that you take the
opportunity to do so. You can raise WHS issues verbally (e.g. by speaking to your supervisor or WHS representative), or in writing if you
wish.

Simple ways to raise a WHS issue may be during:

• Toolbox talks (an informal briefing or short talk on health and safety matters),
• Completing a hazard/incident report form,
• WHS Committee meetings (formal meetings which usually aim to provide workers with specific information about health and
safety matters),
• Discussion with a HSR (health and safety representative (this could be face to face, by telephone or by email),
• Workplace consultation relating to WHS issues and changes (this would be initiated by your PCBU or site manager),

Health and safety matters that should be reported:

• Injuries, illnesses and fatalities,
• Near misses,
• Damaged or faulty equipment,
• Housekeeping issues,
• Health and safety hazards, and
• Suggestions and improvements
• Serious and life-threatening health and safety matters must be reported immediately to Safework, such notifiable
incidents include: Death,
• Serious injury or illness, and
• Potentially dangerous incident

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Slide ID 843
Section 4 ► Slide 12

Where to get WHS Information

You can get information on health and safety from a range of places. Your PCBU, WHS committee, and WHS representatives are good
starting points.

You can find out information about workplace health and safety by:
• Reading: -
o Work Health and Safety Act, Regulations and Codes of Practice,
o Australian Standards,
o Company Policies and Procedures,
o Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS),
o Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
o Health and Safety Committee meeting minutes,
o Hazard Identification / Risk Assessment reports,
o Emergency Plans,
o Industry Newsletters and Bulletins,
o Company updates (via email, newsletter, intranet site)

• Listening: -
o Health and Safety Committee meetings,
o Toolbox talks,
o Company ‘Town Hall’ meetings,
o Feedback from Supervisors,

• Discussions: -
o Supervisor,
o Teammates,
o Safety Representatives (HSR’s)
o First Aid Officers/Nurse Inspectors

• Training: -
o WHS Inductions
o WHS Training Sessions,
o On-the -job Training and Instruction,

You can also talk to people who are not at your work site, for example your state or territory workplace safety authority and the
Australian Safety Compensation Council (ASCC). Your site HandS representative should be able to assist you.

Note: Written information is available on the Internet by searching for “WHS + construction + the specific information required”

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Slide ID 844
Section 4 ► Slide 13

Types of WHS Documentation

There are several types of WHS documents at your workplace. They generally do two things: provide you within information about
health and safety, and provide a way for hazards, incidents, injuries etc to be managed.

Here are some examples:

• Work health and safety policies and procedures
The work health and safety policies and procedures a part of a workplace health and safety management system, the purpose of
which is to systematically manage health and safety in the workplace and help to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury and illness
from workplace activities.
• Emergency evacuation procedures
The emergency evacuation procedures are a written set of instructions that outline the actions workers and other people must take
should an emergency occur.
• Construction documentation and plans
These provide important detail about construction specifications and design. They include excavation plan and emergency
information contact details.
• Safe work method statements (SWMS)
These statements provide agreed information to all staff in a work group on safe work practices. They are developed only after a
full risk assessment has been completed and after all reasonably practicable risk control measures have been put into place.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Labels
Also referred to as Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. SDS exist for materials that are hazardous. The sheets are supplied by the manufacturer o
the materials should be handled. A SDS covers health, handling, ingredients and first aid, safe handling, and storage requirements.
You should have ready and visible access to them and always check them before product use. You should also check product label
for additional information.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
The SOP’s provide step by step instruction on how to safely perform a particular task within the workplace. The SOP is designed to
be used for less repetitive taksa that may be hazardous, for example, the proper set up and use of plant or equipment.
• Job Safety Analyses (JSA)
A JSA is a detailed and systematic written record of a job process. A job approach is analysed or studied to look at the activity, the
hazards involved, and any controls which will be needed. JSAs also list the people who are responsible for conducting activities and
the process that needs to be followed. They are most important for high-risk tasks.
• Accident, incident and injury reports and proformas
These are the forms on which you should write any workplace injuries incidents or accidents. They need to be processed correctly
and given to the appropriate person (such as your supervisor or WHS representative). This usually needs to be done within a
specified timeframe (you may need to check this - it will probably vary depending on the type of report, and procedures for
reporting at your work site).
• Report of dangerous occurrences or near misses
Dangerous occurrences and near misses do not cause injury, but may be a big risk to people or property, for example collapse or
failure of a building or structure, electrical short circuit etc. These must be reported promptly to the correct authority. You will
need to check which proformas need to be used, who the report should go to, and the timeframe for reporting. Again, this might
vary from site to site.
• Risk assessments
A risk assessment will list the factors which have contributed to a risk in a particular task or job. It will also provide a review of
health and safety information available and evaluate the likelihood and severity of injury or illness. It will also identify actions to
control or eliminate the risk, and requirements for keeping records. Site Safety Inspections can assist in identifying risk and all
details are documented in a Site Safety Inspection Report.
• Position Descriptions
The position description details the purpose, the tasks and overall requirements of the role and the person performing
the duties. The position description will often provide WHS responsibilities required of the position.

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Slide ID 845
Section 4 ► Slide 14

WHS Documents: JSA

JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS (JSA) TEMPLATE

Company name: Date: JSA Number:

Permit to work Yes /

Site name: Supervisor name:
required? No

Plant / Area: Location:

Scope of JSA:

JSA team member names:

Overall risk associated with JSA:

Highest residual risk – this can only be determined after the rest of the JSA is complete

Approved by:
Have the appropriate approval levels been obtained? Position of approving person: Date:

Activity Hazards Inherent Risk Controls Residual Risk

Provide a step-by- List all hazards Risk associated with each Measures that need to be Remaining risk associated with
step breakdown of associated with hazard before any control taken to eliminate or minimise each hazard once the control
the task each step measures are put in place the risk associated with each measures have been put into
hazard place

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Slide ID 846
Section 4 ► Slide 15

Assess Risk
To assess risk, you need to consider both likelihood and consequences.

The desired outcome of this step is a prioritised list of risks for further action. Various methods can be used to undertake a risk
assessment. One method is presented below.

Risk Likelihood

For each of the risks:

• Estimate the likelihood of an incident occurring at your workplace, bearing in mind existing control measures,
• Estimate the consequences of an incident occurring at your workplace, bearing in mind existing control measures, and
• Estimate the number of times people could be effected by it (frequency).

Using the ratings of each risk, develop a prioritized list of workplace risks requiring action.

Likelihood
Very Likely Could happen frequently

Likely Could happen occasionally

Unlikely Could happen, but rarely

Very Unlikely Could happen, but probably never will

The following factors can affect the likelihood of an incident occurring:

• How often the situation occurs.
• How many people are exposed?
• The skills and experience of persons exposed.
• Any special characteristics of the people involved.
• The duration of exposure.
• The position of the hazard to workers.
• Distractions.
• Quantities or multiple exposure points.
• Environmental conditions.
• Condition of equipment.
• The effectiveness of existing control measures:
• Do the existing control measures represent good practice?
• Are the existing control measures minimising exposure to the risk?
• Do workers know about the existing control measures?
• Are the existing control measures being used / followed?
• Are there adequate systems in place for the control measures?
• Is training and supervision adequate for the control measures?
• Is maintenance adequate for the control measures?
• How easy is it to use, or work with, the control measures?
Risk Consequences

Use the following descriptive scale to nominate the consequences of an incident occurring.
Consequences

Extreme Death or permanent disability

Major Serious bodily injury or serious work caused illness
Moderate Moderate injury or illness requiring casualty treatment
Minor Minor injury or illness requiring first aid only, no lost work time.

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To determine consequences, you must make a judgement on the severity of the potential outcome.

You should review any information gathered during the identification stage, including incident statistics and manufacturer’s.
data. Also consider the following factors which can affect the consequences:
• Potential for a “chain reaction”
• Concentrations of any substances
• Volumes of materials
• Speeds of projectiles and moving parts
• Heights
• Position of the worker relative to the hazard
• Weights
• Forces and energy levels

Slide ID 847
Section 4 ► Slide 16

Risk Priority Chart (Risk Score Calculator)

The level of risk, or 'risk score', is determined by the relationship between the likelihood of an incident occurring and the potential
consequence of the incident occurring. This relationship can be represented using a matrix, as follows.

Determine the risk score for each risk by plotting consequence and likelihood estimates on the table. Prioritise risks based on their risk
score.

+ + VERY LIKELY + LIKELY - UNLIKELY -- VERY UNLIKELY

Could happen at Could happen at Could happen but Could happen but
any time some time very rarely probably never will

Kill or cause permanent disability or ill

health 1 1 2 3

Long term illness or serious injury 1 2 3 4

Medical attention and several days off

work
2 3 4 5

First aid needed 3 4 5 6

This stage of the risk assessment gives a basis for ranking risks in terms of their priorities. It is important to note that the risk scores
obtained have no absolute value.

This chart provides a means of ranking the risks ONLY.

The scores (1-6) in the risk priority chart indicate how important it is to do something about each risk, as follows:

Score Action

1,2 or 3 Do something about these risks IMMEDIATELY

4 or 5 Do something about these risks as soon as possible

6 These risks may not need immediate attention

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Slide ID 848
Section 4 ► Slide 17

Risk Control
Control strategies should be developed and implemented after the hazards have been identified and risk assessment completed. The
main purpose of risk control is to eliminate hazards if reasonably practicable or if this is not possible, to reduce the risk in the
workplace to the lowest possible level. It is essential that a thorough examination of the workplace be carried out to reveal the types
of hazards and their extent. This should be linked closely to available information and requirements of appropriate legislation, codes
and standards.

Once implemented, control strategies should always be documented, and training provided to all employees where necessary. Regular
monitoring and review should be conducted to ensure continuing applicability and suitability. This also encourages continual
improvement.

Control measures are designed to reduce the:

• Risk arising from hazardous work,
• Risk of exposure to hazardous substance or hazardous environment, and
• Likelihood of disease where that exposure is an integral part of the work process.

Slide ID 849
Section 4 ► Slide 18

Hierarchy of Controls
The WHS Regulations require that risks are controlled in a certain order, known as the Hierarchy of Control measures.

A series of questions is asked starting from the most effective treatment of a risk, which is elimination, and working down to the least
effective, which is personal protective equipment. These questions are:
• Elimination: This is the most effective control measure involves eliminating the hazard and associated risk. This means that
where possible, the hazard should not be introduced into the workplace; for example: -
▪ Not using noisy machinery,
▪ Removing trip hazards from the floor,
▪ disposing of unwanted chemicals,
▪ Avoiding isolated or remote work areas.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the hazard and associated risks, the PCBU must then seek ways to minimse the risk
using one of the following approaches, as far as reasonably practicable: -
• Substitution: Is it possible to substitute materials, equipment, or process with less hazardous ones; for example: -
▪ Replace solvent-based paints with water-based paints,
▪ Allow workers to control the [production] line speed, instead of a computer.
• Isolation: This involves physically separating the hazard from the workers either by distance or the use of a physical barrier;
for example: -
▪ Guardrails placed around machines, roadways, exposed edges and holes in the ground,
▪ Storage of Chemicals in specially designed ‘fume’ cabinets,
▪ Remote controls to operate machinery.
• Engineering: This measure relates to a physical control method including a mechanical device or process; for example: -
▪ Trolleys or Hoists to move heavy loads,
▪ Guards surrounding/covering moving machinery parts,
▪ Instal electrical safety switches,
▪ Instal noise reduction (sound dampening) measures to reduce exposure to load/unpleasant noise. (note the relevant
Code of Practice states for an eight (8) hour shift, the worker can be exposed to 85dB(A) maximum).

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Where the above control measures cannot be used, and the risk remains, administrative controls shall be used to minimize the risk of
health and safety in the workplace.
• Administrative: g: -This control measure provides work methods, practices or procedures designed to minimise exposure to a
hazard, as well as providing information, training or instruction required to allow workers to complete tasks safely; for
example: -
o Warning signs,
o Standard Operating Procedures,
o Develop and introduce appropriate safety polices,
o Training
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is considered that last line of defence for minimizing the risk to hazards in the
workplace. When using PPE, the PCBU must ensure that the particular piece of equipment is selected in the knowledge that it is
suitable for the nature of work and is of suitable size and fits reasonably comfortably. A worker is to, as far as reasonably
practicable, use of wear the PPE in accordance with any information, training, and reasonable instruction, and must not
intentionally misuse or damage the equipment; recognized PPE includes: -
o Hi-Visy Vests,
o Hearing Protection,
o Safety Glasses,
o Face Masks,
o Hard Hats,
o Gloves,
o Respiratory Masks.

Slide ID 850
Section 4 ► Slide 19

Controlling Risks

Identify Assess Risk Implement Control

Hazards

Gas, Dust, Fumes Are there any air pollutants now? Will • isolate, wash down or wear PPE
there be any air pollutants generated? • provide ventilation away from workers and restrict access
Are there any fire alarms nearby that • disconnect and arrange additional warning devices
may be set off?

Noise Will you need to shout to be heard? move work away or provide PPE

Spills Can something be spilt or overflow? If • control flows or re-route flows

so, can harm happen to people, area or • erect bunds or barricade the area
plant?

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Environmental If something is spilt or was released, consult with the Environmental Adviser to provide a plan
would the area be affected?

Electrical Is there live equipment in the area? isolate or barricade hazard

Mechanical Is there any crush points or moving isolate or barricade hazard , or move work away from hazard
parts?

Chemical Are there any hazardous chemicals in • isolate or minimise exposure times
the area? • attach SDS and wear PPE
Will you be handling any chemicals?
Temperature Is the work area hot or cold? • reduce working times and wear PPE
Can you contact very hot or cold • provide barriers or distances from sources
surfaces?

Pressure Are there any high pressures present? isolate, protect or barricade pressure sources from work area

Manual handling Will the work involve lifting, carrying, • reduce heavy loads, use lifting teams or mechanical means
pushing, pulling? • reduce working times and share duties
Will the work be in an awkward
position?

Ignition sources Will the work involve cutting, welding or • restrict access and place protective guards
sparks? • determine if a “permit to work” is needed

Light Is the work area dark? move job or install lighting to the area

Rock Falls Can someone be struck by a rock while ensure the area has been washed down and ground control
carrying out the work? mechanisms applied (scaling, roof bolting, meshing)

Explosives Will the work involve the use of • ensure the person is competent in the handling of explosives
explosives? • check the area prior to carrying out the work
Could there be any explosives in the
area?

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Slide ID 851
Section 4 ► Slide 20

Controlling Risks with Personal Protective Equipment

HAZARDS PPE OPTIONS

Eyes • Chemical or Metal Splash • Safety Spectacles

• Dust • Goggles
• Projectiles • Face Shields
• Gas and Vapour • Visors.
• Radiation. • Double eye protection

Head • Impact from Falling or Flying Objects • Various Helmets including chinstrap if required
• Risk of Head Bumping • Bump Caps.
• Hair Entanglement. • Earmuffs, earplugs
• Loss of hearing

Hearing • Operation of equipment. i.e. jack hammer or • Earmuffs, ear plugs, or other hearing protector that
chain saw complies with safety standards
• Work around large equipment, i.e. front
end loader

Breathing • Dust • Disposable Filtering Face Piece Respirator,

• Vapour • Half or Full-Face respirators
• Gas • Air-fed helmets
• Oxygen-deficient Atmospheres • Breathing Apparatus.

Protecting the • Temperature extremes • Conventional or disposable overalls

• Adverse weather • Apron
Body
• Chemical or metal splash spray from pressure • Boiler suits
leaks or spray guns • Specialist protective clothing - chainmail aprons and
• Impact or penetration high-visibility clothing etc.
• Contaminated dust • Protective well fitting clothing
• Excessive wear or entanglement of own • UV protective clothing
clothing • Sunscreen
• Sun damage if working outdoors • Hard hats

Hands and Arms • Abrasion • Gloves

• Temperature extremes • Gauntlets
• Cuts and punctures • Mitts
• Impact • Wrist cuffs
• Chemicals • Armlets
• Electric Shock • Barrier Cream
• Skin Infection
• Disease or contamination

Feet and Legs • Wet • Safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps and
• Electrostatic build-up penetration resistant mid-sole
• Slipping • Gaiters
• Cuts and punctures • Leggings
• Falling objects • Spats
• Metal and Chemical splash abrasion • Rubber gumboots with protective toe cap

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Slide ID 852
Section 4 ► Slide 21

Implement Risk Control Measures

The next step involves putting selected control measures in place at your workplace.

Developing work procedures

• Develop work procedures in relation to the new control measures to make sure they are effective.
• Management, supervision and worker responsibilities may need to be clearly defined in the work procedures.

Communication
• You should inform workers and others about the control measures to be implemented.
• It is important to clearly communicate the reasons for the changes.

Providing training and instruction

• Training and instruction for the workers, supervisors and others in relation to the new control measures.

Supervision
• Supervision to verify that the new control measures are being used correctly.

Maintenance
• Maintenance relating to control measures is an important part of the implementation process.
• Work procedures should spell out maintenance requirements to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the new control
measures.

Slide ID 853
Section 4 ► Slide 22

Monitoring and Reviewing Risks

Once the risks associated with all the identified hazards have been assessed and control measures have been introduced, the risk
management process can be repeated to determine if the risk has been reduced to a satisfactory level. This continual assessment
forms part of the monitoring and review phase of the risk

For this step, it can be useful to ask questions to determine whether:

• Chosen Control Measures Have Been Implemented, As Planned
▪ Are chosen control measures in place?
▪ Are these measures being used?
▪ Are these measures being used correctly?
• Chosen Control Measures Are Working
▪ Have the changes made to control exposure to the assessed risks resulted in what was intended?
▪ Has exposure to the assessed risks been eliminated or adequately reduced?
▪ Are There Any New Problems?
▪ Have implemented control measures resulted in the introduction of any new problems?

Have implemented control measures resulted in the worsening of any existing problems?

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Section 5 – Identify Incident and Emergency Response Procedures

Slide ID 854
Section 5 ► Slide 1

Emergency Procedures (Emergency Plan)

It is the responsibility of the PCBU to ensure that emergency procedures have been written and implemented for the workplace and
must also consider workers at different work sites.

The emergency procedure is a written procedure that details the actions required when an emergency occurs in the workplace. The
emergency plan must include: -
▪ An effective response to the emergency,
▪ Emergency evacuation procedures,
▪ Procedures to notify Emergency Services agencies (i.e. Fire Fighters, Paramedics),
▪ Procedures to arrange medical treatment and assistance, and
▪ Effective communications practices between the workplaces’ responsible officer (i.e. Warden), the Emergency Service
agencies and all people in the workplace.

Once the emergency procedures have been developed and introduced to the workplace, the PCBU must ensure these procedures are
tested, including equipment and evacuation ‘drills’, plus the PCBU must provide training and instruction to all workers to ensure they
understand and adhere to these procedures.

Further inclusions to the emergency procedures would be: -

▪ Contact details for;
▪ Key personnel within the workplace who have specific duties in an emergency,
▪ Contact details for Emergency Service agencies,
▪ Details of how all people in the workplace will be alerted to an emergency (i.e. a siren / alarm),
▪ Procedures to ensure all people have evacuated the workplace, including arrangements to assist disabled persons,
▪ A map identifying specific sections within the workplace, and the evacuation routes to be taken,
▪ Processes for advising neighbouring businesses of the emergency, and
▪ Procedures to contact other services following the emergency, including regulators, trauma counsellors and medical
assistance.

It is the responsibility of the PCBU to ensure the effective communication of the emergency procedures, and therefore any policies,
procedures, plans, maps and contact details are to be posted on notice boards, lunchrooms and other common areas where all people
in the workplace will have access to them.

Slide ID 855
Section 5 ► Slide 2

First Aid
A developed First Aid plan is critical to responding to incidents on a work site. The following key elements should be implemented as
part of a First Aid Plan on site:
• First aid equipment is available, and each worker has access to it or knows of the location of the equipment,
• The PCBU has an obligation to provide first aid equipment and a trained first aid officer at your worksite. Only currently
certified or qualified persons may administer first aid,
• Facilities are made available and are accessible for the administration of first aid, and
• An adequate number of workers are trained to administer first aid.

In the event you come across an incident where first aid is required you must immediately notify the first aid officer and provide
assisted where necessary. All first aid incidents need to be reported and documented; this includes any equipment used from a first aid
kit.

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Slide ID 856
Section 5 ► Slide 3

First Aid Responsibilities

Site/Project/Service Manager, Supervisor
• Ensure that first aid staff and equipment are appropriate for the tasks being undertaken and the employee's numbers at each
workplace,
• Maintain a register of first aid officers and certificate details and establish a process to ensure that certification is maintained
current,
• Establish a process to ensure that first aid kits are stack and current.

First Aid Officer

• Administer First Aid to injured or ill employees and complete Incident Report Form for every treatment. A qualified first aider
must be appointed to be in charge of the first aid kit and first aid room,
• They must be accessible to all workers and ready to give first aid when needed,
• Maintain first aid facilities,
• Maintain current first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certification, and
• The PCBU shall provide a trained first aid officer at workplaces with a head count of 25 or greater.

Accredited First Aid Officer

An accredited first aid officer is an employee who has completed as a minimum a Workplace First Aid Certification and/or Basic First
Aid and Emergency Life Support Certification through an approved service provider.

Worker

A Worker must comply with any reasonable instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and
safety in the workplace, including procedures for first aid and for reporting injuries and illnesses.

Become familiar with the location of first aid equipment. Document all first aid treatments received in the first aid registerand Incident
Report

Slide ID 857
Section 5 ► Slide 4

First Aid Procedures

First aid procedures should be developed for every work site and all workers should have a clear understanding of first aid in their
workplace.

The procedure should cover:

• The type of first aid kits and where they are located,
• The location of first aid facilities such as first aid rooms,
• Names and contact details of Workplace First Aiders,
• How to establish and maintain appropriate communication systems (including equipment and procedures) to ensure rapid
emergency communication with first aiders,
• The work areas and shifts that have been allocated to each first aider. These procedures should contain the names and
contact details of each first aider,
• Arrangements to ensure first aiders receive appropriate training,
• Arrangements for ensuring that workers receive appropriate information, instruction and training in relation to first aid,
• How to report injuries and illnesses that may occur in the workplace,
• What to do when a worker or other person is too injured or ill to stay at work, and
• Access to debriefing or counselling services to support first aiders and workers after a serious workplace incident.

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Slide ID 858
Section 5 ► Slide 5

First Aid Treatment

First aid treatment following an incident shall be provided exclusively by an accredited first aid officer with such treatment being
commensurate with provider's certification. There should be a first aid plan that details first aid procedures and equipment.

The names and contact numbers of accredited First Aid staff shall be made available at the following locations:
• With First Aid Kits,
• With WHS Coordinator,
• At prominent places in Office workplaces,
• The Company WHS database.

First Aid Rooms

Where a first aid room shall be maintained in accordance with the Legislation. Guidelines for the provision of First Aid rooms at
construction sites are as follows: A First aid room shall be provided where there are 200 or more employees in a workplace, or at a
construction site where there 100 employees or more.

First Aid Kits

First Aid Kits contain essential supplies and a list of First Aid accredited personnel. First Aid Kits will be replenished upon request.
Designated first aid officers must ensure that the first aid kits are stocked at all times and that the contents and contents list is current.
No person other than first aid officers is to remove or tamper with the contents of First Aid kits.

General requirements relating to the management of first aid kits include:

• Kits must be located in readily accessible areas of the workplace. Kits must be clearly identifiable to all employees. Signage
shall be provided to clearly identify the location of cabinets and treatment rooms.
• First aid supplies must be kept in dustproof boxes or cabinets that are used exclusively for first aid supplies.
• A first aid kit contents list shall be retained in the kit and contents checked on a monthly basis by the First Aid Officer or
employee nominated to control the kit.
• Daily management of the kit is the responsibility of the First Aid Officer.

First aid kits for specific workplaces, i.e. workshops must be supplemented with appropriate supplies, including eye or burns modules.
The contents of First Aid Kits A, B and C are listed in the following table;

CONTENTS A B C

Adhesive plastic dressing strips, sterile, packets of 50 2 1 1

Adhesive dressing tape 2.5cm x 5 cm 1 1 -

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Bags, plastic, for amputated parts:

Small 2 1 1

Medium 2 1 1

Large 2 1 -

Dressings, non-adherent, sterile, 7.5cm x 7.5cm 5 2 -

Eye pads, sterile 5 2 -

Gauze bandages:

5 cm 3 1 1

10 cm 3 1 -

Gloves, disposable, single 10 4 2

Rescue blanket, silver space 1 1 -

Safety pins, packets 1 1 1

Scissors, blunt/short nosed, minimum length 12.5cm 1 1 -

Splinter forceps 1 1 -

Sterile eyewash solution, 10ml single use ampoules or sachets 12 6 -

Swabs, pre-packed, antiseptic, packs of 10 1 1 -

Triangular bandages, minimum 90 cm 8 4 1

Wound dressings, sterile, non-medicated, large 10 3 1

First-aid pamphlet 1 1 1

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Slide ID 859
Section 5 ► Slide 6

Notifiable Incidents
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 set out what sort of incidents are notifiable to WHSQ.

A notifiable incident is: -

• The death of a person,
• A serious injury or illness, or
• A dangerous incident that exposes someone to a serious risk (even if no one is injured), this includes,
▪ An uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of substance,
▪ An uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire,
▪ An uncontrolled escape of gas or steam,
▪ An uncontrolled escape of pressurized substance,
▪ Electric shock,
▪ The fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing,
▪ The collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction of, or damage to, plant and equipment (i.e. a collapsing
crane),
▪ The collapse or partial collapse of a structure,
▪ The collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation,
▪ The inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel, or
▪ The interruption of the main system of ventilation in an undergound excavation or tunnel.

Notifiable incidents may relate to any person, that means a worker, contractor or member of the public.

Where a notifiable incident occurs: -

• The PCBU, must report this to the [respective] health and safety regulator immediately after becoming aware of the
incident,
• If requested by the health and safety regulator, the PCBU must provide written notification within forty-eight (48)
hours of the request, and
• The incident site must be preserved until the inspector arrives (or directs the PCBU otherwise).

If the PCBU is unsure whether the incident is infact ‘notifiable’ the health and safety regulator should be contacted for further
advice and/or guidance.

Only work-related incidents are notifiable, that means that the incident must occur as a result of work conducted in the
workplace; therefore, an incident that happens ‘near’ the workplace, but not as a part of the work being undertaken, is NOT
notifiable.

The only time an incident that occurs outside the workplace is notifiable, is when the activities of the workplace affect people
outside the workplace; for example: -
• A hand tool falls from a multi-storey building, under construction, hitting a person below,
• Scaffolding collapse that causes a risk of serious injury to a person(s) adjacent to the construction site, and
• An awning over a shop front collapses, hitting a person(s) underneath.

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Slide ID 860
Section 5 ► Slide 7

Serious Illness or Injury

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 set out that a serious injury or illness of a person is an injury or illness requiring the
person to have:
• Immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital,
• Immediate treatment for,
o The amputation of any part of his or her body,
o A serious head injury,
o A serious eye injury,
o A serious burn,
o The separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as de-gloving or scalping),
o A spinal injury,
o The loss of a bodily function,
o Serious lacerations,
• Medical treatment (treatment by a doctor) within 48 hours of exposure to a substance,
• Any infection to which the carrying out of work is a significant contributing factor, including any infection that is
reliably attributable to carrying out work: -
o With micro-organisms,
o That involves providing treatment or care to a person,
o That involves contact with human blood or body substances,
o That involves handling or contact with animals, animal hides, skins, wool or hair, animal carcasses or
animal waste products.

Slide ID 861
Section 5 ► Slide 8

Right to Cease Unsafe Work

If a worker has a reasonable concern about a serious risk to their health or safety from immediate or imminent exposure to a
hazard, they may cease or refuse to carry out work. A worker who ceases work must notify the PCBU as soon as possible.
Workers can be redirected to suitable alternative work at their workplace or at another site until they can resume normal
duties.

Slide ID 862
Section 5 ► Slide 9

Workers Compensation
Workers compensation means that you can receive medical treatment and assistance if you are injured at work. All
employees have a right to receive workers compensation. Compensation can cover you for loss of wages and medical
expenses to varying degrees depending on the circumstances.

There are processes that you need to follow to be eligible for workers compensation, for example you must:
• Complete the relevant claim for compensation from as soon as possible after the incident,
• Attach any medical certificates and expenses (bills, receipts etc.) that occurred as a result of the incident that caused
the injury,
• Keep a copy of the form and all relevant documents.

There may be other processes that need to be followed - you should check these with your PCBU or WHS representative.
When preparing to return to work from a work-related injury or illness, you must obtain a medical clearance or certificate.
from your doctor.

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Slide ID 863
Section 5 ► Slide 10

Reporting Hazards, Incidents and Injuries

How are Hazards, Incidents and Injuries Reported?

Any hazard, incident or injury must be reported promptly to the WHS representative or safety personnel for your work site or
organisation. You may also need to use a reporting form or “proforma” to do this. This is especially the case if the repo rt
relates to something that needs to be reported to people outside of your work site or organisation. Your WHS representative
can assist you with the necessary proforma - these will usually vary depending on the organisation and work site.

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to make the notification immediately after becoming
aware that a notifiable incident arising from the business or undertaking has occurred. The PCBU must forward all hazard,
incident and injury reports relating to legal WHS requirements, as well as keep records within the organisation for a period of
5 years.

Why Report Hazards, Incidents and Injuries?

Reporting incidents, injuries and hazards is vital so that healthy and safe workplace can be maintained. Reporting can
prevent repeated or new hazards, incidents and injuries. It can lead to improvements in health and safety for all workers.

Depending on the type of incident, emergency services such as the Fire Brigade, Police, Ambulance, State Emergency
Services, or Environment Protection Authority may need to be notified. Again, you should check the procedures which relate
to your work site.

To report a serious workplace incident contact your state or territory work health and safety authority. Use the table below
to locate the work health and safety authority in your state or territory.

State or Territory Work Health and Safety Authority

New South Wales (NSW) http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/
Queensland (QLD) https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/
Western Australia (W.A) https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/worksafe-commissioner
South Australia (S.A) https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania (TAS) http://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/
Victoria (VIC) https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/
Northern Territory (NT) http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) http://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health_safety

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Slide ID 864
Section 5 ► Slide 11

Other Notifications
In addition to the notification of incidents, PCBUs are required to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland of the
following matters:
• Licensed asbestos removal work (licensed asbestos removalist),
• Asbestos fibre levels greater than 0.02 f/ml (licensed asbestos removalist – for Class A removal work),
• Asbestos emergency work - domestic premises (PCBU with management or control of the workplace – for
demolition work),
• Asbestos emergency work - non-domestic premises (PCBU who is to carry out the demolition work – for demolition
work),
• Lead risk work commencing,
• Changes to information regarding lead risk work,
• Worker who is removed from carrying out lead risk work,
• Health monitoring reports,
• Abandoned tanks,
• Pipelines,
• Demolition work,
• Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals exceeding manifest quantities at a workplace,
• Schedule 15 hazardous chemicals exceeding 10 per cent of their threshold quantity.

Slide ID 865
Section 5 ► Slide 12

Emergencies
An emergency is a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action. It presents (or may
present) a risk of serious injury or death to people on the work site.

There are three levels of an emergency situation:

1. Local - for any situation which threatens life or property in the immediate area,
2. Site - where effects may spread to other areas of the site, and
3. Off-site alert - where effects may spread and impact on people, property or the environment outside the site, where
the situation cannot be contained by site Resources.

Slide ID 866
Section 5 ► Slide 13

Types of Emergencies
The following types of emergencies may occur:
• Fire,
• Explosions,
• Spills (chemical liquids, solids, radioactive or biological materials),
• Gas leaks (flammable or toxic),
• Natural events such as floods, grass fires, bushfires, earthquakes, cyclones, when storms and land slip/subsidence,
• High winds that cause structural damage to building sites or containers,
• Impact events such as those involving road vehicles, heavy vehicles and mobile equipment,
• Off-site events such as a fire or explosion near the main worksite,
• Chemical spill,
• Injury to personnel,
• Structural collapse,
• Toxic and/or flammable vapours emission,
• Vehicle/mobile plant accident,

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Risks may be higher at specific times and under specific circumstances, e.g. when loading or unloading, during maintenance
work, hot work, digging entrenching and working at heights.

Slide ID 867
Section 5 ► Slide 14

Basic Emergency Response

You should know the emergency response procedures for your worksite before an emergency happens. This information is
available in documents such as emergency plans, evacuation plans and procedures, and incident notification procedures.
Check with your WHS representative or supervisor if you are unsure.

Remember in an emergency situation, it is important to:

• Keep calm,
• Check your safety,
• Raise the alarm,
• Obtain help.

Each workplace will have its standard evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. However, upon
hearing the evacuation alarm or upon receiving instruction from the workplace emergency control officer, you
must: -
• Stop all work activities,
• Ensure that all people in the workplace, can evacuate the area,
• If working on a level above the ground floor, use the stairs,
• Stay clear of any hazards,
• Follow the EXIT signs out of the workplace,
• Move away from the building to the designated Assembly Point,
• Remain at the Assembly Point, until instructed that it is safe to return to the workplace.

Slide ID 868
Section 5 ► Slide 15

Emergency Services – (Usually the responsibility of the Chief Warden)

Notification of emergency authorities will depend on the type of incident or emergency as well as other factors such as legal
responsibilities, the emergency plan and access to communications. In an emergency it may fall to you to ring or contact
emergency services. You will need to quickly decide who needs to know: Fire brigade, police or ambulance or workplace
personnel such as your supervisor or first aider. Current phone numbers should be readily available. If not find out where you
can get these from.

In the event you are required to contact off-site emergency services such as the Fire Brigade, Police, Ambulance Service,
Health Department or the State emergency services it is important to provide accurate and concise information about the
emergency situation.

The types of information they would require includes:

• Location,
• Type of emergency,
• When and how,
• Casualties, and how many,
• What hazards present,
• Name of the organisation emergency manager,
• Telephone contact numbers, and
• Where a security guard, traffic control coordinator or other person will meet the emergency response vehicles on
arrival at the site.

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Section 5 ► Slide 16

Hazardous Chemical Incidents

The extent of emergency procedures required will depend on the size and complexity of the workplace, types and quantities
of hazardous chemicals and the processes involved when the goods are in use.

To reduce the effects of an explosion or a reaction of corrosive or toxic gases an emergency plan should be developed for
your worksite, a comprehensive emergency plan for responding to hazardous chemical emergencies should include:
• A site map that indicates where hazardous chemicals are stored,
• Responsibilities of key persons in managing emergencies,
• Circumstances to activate the plan,
• Systems for raising the alarm,
• Alerting emergency services organisation to the emergency or if it has the potential to become a dangerous
occurrence,
• Procedures that account for all people at the workplace,
• Isolation of the emergency area to prevent entry by non-essential personnel,
• Roles of on-site emergency response teams (including First Aid Officers, Emergency Wardens),
• Containment of any spillage,
• The requirement for fire-water retention to ensure that contaminated firewater cannot enter waterways, drains or
ground water,
• Disconnection of power supplies and other energy sources except when required,
• Prevention of hazardous chemicals or contaminated material of any kind from entering drains or waterways,
• Ensure automatic sprinkler systems do not interact with chemicals in case of hazardous chemical reaction,
• Provision of relevant information and assistance to the emergency services authority.

Slide ID 870
Section 5 ► Slide 17

Electrical Incidents
You must be aware of two types of electrical incidents or events. There is a serious electrical incident (SEI) and dangerous
electrical incident (DEE). In the case of a SEI or DEE it is an offence to interfere with the scene of an incident without the
permission of an inspector or police officer. There are some exceptions, such as when it is necessary to save a life, relieve
suffering, prevent injury to a person or to prevent property damage.

Quick action after an electrical incident that causes injury can save a life or significantly reduce the severity of the injury.
Even if an electrical incident does not appear to have caused injury at the time, there may be some delayed effects. Any
person who is involved in an electrical incident involving an electric shock should receive medical attention. Incidents that
expose a worker or any other person to a serious risk from an electric shock must be notified to the regulator and may also
be notifiable separately to an electrical safety regulator.

Other effects of electrical incidents could include an adverse effect on plant equipment or an electronic circuit malfunction. It
is extremely important that if plant equipment has an emergency stop control, the person with management or control of
the plant ensures it cannot be affected by an electrical incident or emergency.

A well-prepared emergency response assists in managing the severity of the injury where an incident has occurred and takes
into account the health and safety of those required to respond to the incident. For example, in an exposed energised high
voltage situation, the electricity supply should be isolated and proved de-energised before carrying out a rescue.

In the event of an electrical emergency remain calm and call emergency services on 000.

In the event that a vehicle has made contact with power lines it is important to try and instruct the driver to remain in the
vehicle and cut off the fuel supply to the vehicle to prevent fire or explosion. The driver should remain in the vehicle until the
power has been isolated and earthed. Keep a safe distance from downed power lines or any exposed electrical wires. Do not
approach the area of the accident until the proper authorities have declared the area safe.

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Slide ID 871
Section 5 ► Slide 18

Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Safety Equipment must be provided in the workplace. This includes:

Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It
is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e., no
escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department.

Fire extinguishers are designed to cope with a range of fire types, there are:
1. Water Extinguishers – this extinguisher is used for flammable materials including wood, paper, and textile.
2. Dry Chemical Powder ABE – this extinguisher is used for flammable materials including wood, paper, and textile,
and for flammable liquids including paint and petrol and for electrical equipment including computers and
generators.
3. Dry Chemical BE – this extinguisher is used for flammable liquids including paint and petrol, and for electrical
equipment including computers and generators, and has limited effect on cooking fats and oils.
4. Carbon Dioxide CO2 – this extinguisher has limited effect on flammable materials including wood, paper and textile,
and limited effect on flammable liquids including paint and petrol, however, is used for electrical equipment
including computers and generators.
5. Foam – this extinguisher is used for flammable materials including wood, paper, and textile, and for flammable
liquids including paint and petrol, and has limited effect on cooking fats and oils.
6. Wet Chemical – this extinguisher is used for flammable materials including wood, paper, and textiles, and for
cooking fats and oils.

Blankets

These are ideal for stove top fires. They are easy to use. The most common cause of fires in kitchens is cooking oil fires. Fire
blankets are very suitable and effective in putting these fires out.

Hose Reels and Mains

If a building requires the installation of fire mains and/or hose reels to meet building codes and regulations then it is best that
the fire hose reels also be available for firefighting purposes as the building progresses.

Breathing Apparatus

These are needed by fire fighters when carrying out firefighting or where they may be exposed to high temperatures, oxygen
deficiency, toxic substances, smoke concentration, dust, heat radiation or burning embers. Breathing apparatus is worn for
the respiratory safety of fire-fighters. They supply the wearer with air (oxygen) from a cylinder.

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Slide ID 872
Section 5 ► Slide 19

Fire Extinguisher Chart

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Slide ID 873
Section 5 ► Slide 20

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

A simple fire extinguisher training technique to use with employees is the PASS method which is illustrated in the diagram
below.
• Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
• Aim the hose nozzle low toward the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the flames until extinguished.

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Slide ID 874
Section 5 ► Slide 21

What should be done if there is a Fire?

As with any other emergency, in the event of a fire you need to follow emergency procedures and plans for the worksite. Try
to limit the danger to yourself and others by quick action. If quick containment is an option, take swift and appropriate action
to do so.

First attack firefighting equipment should be used if:

• It appears capable of extinguishing the fire,
• The size of the fire is not a hazard to your safety or others,
• You are capable of using the fire equipment,
• The level of the smoke is not an obvious health hazard, and
• A secure escape route is available.

Fire must have 3 elements present to support combustion:

• Oxygen,
• Heat,
• Fuel.

Methods of Extinguishing a Fire:

• Starvation,
• Smothering,
• Cooling,
• Inhibiting Chemical Reaction.

Always remember that any actions to extinguish a fire will result in a considerable increase in smoke and loss of visibility. The
need for evacuation should be decided by considering a number of things including:
• Perceived levels of risk from information gained from the threat,
• Risks associated with not evacuating - smoke levels, opportunity to exit in the immediate future, fire, oxygen and
visibility levels,
• Any current circumstances which may add to the risk factor, and
• Emergency plans.

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