COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Work Safely in the Construction Industry course. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to maintain a safe working environment on construction sites. The construction industry presents unique challenges due to its high-risk nature, making workplace safety paramount. Ensuring safety is not only vital for protecting workers from injuries but also a legal obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). Both employers and workers play a key role in creating a culture of safety, complying with legislation, and implementing best practices to reduce risks and prevent accidents.
Understanding WHS legislation is fundamental to working safely in the construction industry. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 outlines key provisions designed to protect the health and safety of workers. Each Australian state and territory has its own specific WHS regulations that govern workplace safety, and this section will guide you through the legal obligations of employers, supervisors, and workers to ensure compliance and uphold safety standards on construction sites.
Hazard identification is a critical aspect of construction safety. Construction sites are often filled with hazards such as falls, electrical risks, and moving machinery. This section will teach you how to recognise these common hazards, conduct site safety audits and inspections, and report and manage workplace hazards effectively to prevent accidents.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in safeguarding workers from potential risks. You will learn about the types of PPE required on construction sites, including hard hats, safety boots, and hi-vis vests, as well as the correct use and maintenance of this equipment. Adhering to legal requirements for PPE is critical to ensuring the safety of all workers on site.
Working at heights is one of the leading causes of accidents in construction. This section will focus on assessing the risks associated with working at heights and how to use fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and guardrails, to minimise these risks. You will also learn safe access and egress techniques for scaffolding and ladders.
Manual handling and lifting are common tasks in construction that, if done incorrectly, can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. You will be trained in safe lifting techniques, how to prevent strain and injury, and the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and cranes to assist with heavy lifting tasks.
Electrical safety is a crucial concern on construction sites, where workers are often exposed to live electrical components. This section will teach you how to recognise electrical hazards, implement safe practices when working with or near electrical equipment, and follow procedures for managing power tools and other equipment safely.
Excavation and trenching work comes with significant risks, including cave-ins and hazardous conditions. You will learn how to identify hazards in excavation work, the use of shoring, shielding, and sloping to prevent cave-ins, and safe procedures for entering and exiting trenches.
The safe use of construction tools and machinery is critical to avoiding accidents. This section will cover proper training and certification requirements for operating heavy machinery such as cranes and bulldozers, as well as safe operation practices for power tools. Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment are key to ensuring safety on the job.
Handling hazardous substances and chemicals requires special attention in construction. You will learn how to identify hazardous materials, use Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for safe handling and storage, and follow best practices for the disposal of chemicals to protect both workers and the environment.
Working in confined spaces presents additional risks such as poor ventilation and exposure to hazardous gases. This section will provide guidelines for identifying confined spaces, safety protocols for entry and exit, and the use of monitoring equipment to ensure air quality and worker safety.
Fire safety and emergency response are vital components of a construction site’s safety plan. You will learn fire prevention strategies, the proper use of fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment, and how to develop and implement site-specific emergency response plans to protect workers in case of fire or other emergencies.
Traffic management and site security are essential for ensuring safety on busy construction sites. This section will cover how to manage vehicle and machinery movement, the use of traffic control devices such as barriers and signage, and site security protocols to prevent trespassing, theft, and unauthorised access.
Working safely around plant and machinery is critical for preventing accidents related to mobile equipment. You will learn how to identify hazards, implement traffic management plans for plant movement, and follow safe practices for working near moving machinery to protect both operators and workers on site.
Fatigue management is important for maintaining safety and performance in construction. You will learn how fatigue impacts workers’ ability to perform tasks safely, strategies for managing fatigue through proper scheduling and workload management, and the role of employers in supporting workers’ overall well-being.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and tools to work safely in the construction industry, ensuring compliance with WHS legislation, mitigating risks, and fostering a safer work environment for all.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Construction Safety
- Importance of Workplace Safety in the Construction Industry
- Overview of Legal Responsibilities (Work Health and Safety Act 2011)
- Role of Employers and Workers in Ensuring Safety
2. Understanding WHS Legislation in Construction
- Key Provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- State and Territory-Specific WHS Regulations
- Legal Obligations for Employers, Supervisors, and Workers
3. Hazard Identification in Construction Sites
- Common Hazards on Construction Sites
- Conducting Site Safety Audits and Inspections
- Reporting and Managing Workplace Hazards
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Construction
- Types of PPE Required for Construction Workers
- Correct Use and Maintenance of PPE
- Legal Requirements for PPE Use on Construction Sites
5. Working at Heights Safely
- Assessing Risks Associated with Working at Heights
- Use of Fall Protection Equipment
- Safe Access and Egress on Scaffolding and Ladders
6. Manual Handling and Lifting Techniques
- Safe Lifting and Carrying of Heavy Loads
- Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries on Construction Sites
- Use of Mechanical Aids for Heavy Lifting
7. Electrical Safety in Construction
- Recognising Electrical Hazards on Construction Sites
- Safe Practices for Working with or Near Live Electrical Components
- Procedures for Managing Power Tools and Equipment Safely
8. Excavation and Trenching Safety
- Identifying Hazards in Excavation and Trenching Work
- Shoring, Shielding, and Sloping to Prevent Cave-Ins
- Safe Procedures for Entering and Exiting Trenches
9. Safe Use of Construction Tools and Machinery
- Proper Training and Certification for Operating Heavy Machinery
- Safe Operation of Power Tools
- Inspection and Maintenance of Equipment to Prevent Accidents
10. Hazardous Substances and Chemical Safety
- Identifying and Storing Hazardous Substances on Construction Sites
- Using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Hazardous Materials
- Safe Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
11. Working in Confined Spaces
- Identifying Confined Spaces and Associated Risks
- Safety Protocols for Entry and Exit in Confined Spaces
- Ventilation and Monitoring for Hazardous Gases in Confined Areas
12. Fire Safety and Emergency Response
- Fire Prevention Strategies on Construction Sites
- Safe Use of Fire Extinguishers and Emergency Equipment
- Developing and Implementing Site Emergency Response Plans
13. Traffic Management and Site Security
- Managing Vehicle and Machinery Movement on Construction Sites
- Use of Traffic Control Devices
- Implementing Site Security Protocols to Prevent Trespassing and Theft
14. Working Safely Around Plant and Machinery
- Identifying Hazards Related to Mobile Plant and Equipment
- Implementing Traffic Management Plans for Plant Movement
- Safe Practices for Working Near Moving Machinery
15. Fatigue Management in Construction
- Recognising the Impact of Fatigue on Safety and Performance
- Strategies for Managing Fatigue
- The Role of Employers in Supporting Workers’ Well-Being
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.