COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Emergency Preparedness & Response for Concreting Worksites course. This program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency situations that can occur during concreting and formwork operations. Effective emergency preparedness is not only a legal requirement under WHS legislation but also critical for protecting lives, minimising property damage, and maintaining worksite continuity.

This course begins by outlining the importance of emergency preparedness in the concreting industry. You will learn about common emergency types such as formwork collapses, pump failures, electrical incidents, chemical exposures, and worker entrapments, and explore the legal and moral obligations that duty holders have under Australian WHS laws to prepare for and manage these risks.

A strong understanding of the legislative framework for emergency preparedness is essential. This section explains the requirements under the WHS Act, WHS Regulations, and Codes of Practice, highlighting the roles of principal contractors and employers. You will also be introduced to relevant Australian Standards that influence emergency planning for concreting and formwork sites.

Recognising potential emergency scenarios early is vital. This section examines high-risk concreting activities such as large-volume pours, mobile boom operations, and reinforcing steel installations, and teaches you how to identify the types of hazards that can escalate into emergencies if not managed proactively.

Every worksite must have a tailored Emergency Management Plan (EMP). This section discusses the development of an EMP for concreting activities, covering critical elements such as site-specific risks, communication protocols, emergency equipment, evacuation procedures, and the need for a risk-based approach to planning.

Risk assessments are the foundation of good emergency preparedness. This section guides you through conducting site-specific emergency risk assessments, identifying factors that may increase emergency likelihood—such as poor weather, congested access, or equipment faults—and outlines how to review and update these assessments as conditions change.

Clearly defined roles and responsibilities are crucial in an emergency. This section explains how to appoint first aid officers, fire wardens, evacuation coordinators, and outlines the critical role that supervisors, leading hands, and all workers play during emergency events.

Efficient communication can save lives. This section covers the setup and use of alarms, PA systems, radios, and mobile communication tools to ensure quick and clear transmission of information during an emergency. You will also learn about the importance of maintaining up-to-date emergency contact lists.

Effective evacuation planning can make a major difference during emergencies. This section details how to design safe evacuation routes, designate muster points, and manage evacuations for both static and dynamic concreting operations where work zones can shift throughout the day.

Fires can escalate quickly on concreting sites. This section focuses on fire prevention strategies, including safe storage of fuels, equipment checks, fire extinguisher use, and planning and conducting fire drills to ensure readiness among all site personnel.

First aid preparedness is a critical component of emergency response. This section discusses how to set up and maintain site first aid facilities specific to concreting risks, treat common injuries such as burns, crush injuries, and fractures, and ensure injuries are promptly reported and investigated.

Entrapments and falls require rapid, trained responses. This section explains how to develop rescue plans for suspended formwork, confined spaces, or trench incidents, and the importance of worker training in rescue techniques to support timely, effective intervention.

Concrete-related health emergencies, such as cement burns or silica inhalation, can have serious consequences. This section covers appropriate first aid responses, decontamination procedures, and the importance of early treatment to prevent severe injury or long-term health damage.

Equipment failures can create serious secondary hazards. This section outlines procedures for responding to concrete pump blockages, hose bursts, and plant breakdowns, including isolating equipment, securing the site, and ensuring all workers are informed immediately.

Environmental emergencies can also arise from concreting activities. This section focuses on managing concrete spills, preventing stormwater pollution, deploying spill kits effectively, and complying with environmental reporting obligations under EPA guidelines.

Emergency drills and simulations are essential to test preparedness. This section explains how to plan realistic site-based drills, evaluate performance during drills, and use post-drill debriefs to drive continuous improvement in emergency procedures and readiness.

Documentation and reporting are legal and operational necessities. This section outlines how to correctly complete incident reports, notify regulators where required, and maintain thorough records of emergency drills, investigations, and response improvements.

Training and induction are key to embedding emergency awareness. This section covers how to deliver site inductions, toolbox talks, and ongoing refresher training focused on emergency procedures to ensure every worker knows their role and responsibilities.

Finally, promoting a culture of emergency awareness is the hallmark of a safe site. This section discusses how to encourage proactive hazard identification, recognise and reward safe behaviour during emergencies, and integrate emergency preparedness into the daily operations of concreting and formwork teams.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped to contribute to the creation of safer, more resilient concreting worksites, ensuring that both people and the environment are protected in the event of an emergency.

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 Emergency Preparedness on Concreting Worksites

• Importance of being prepared for emergencies during concreting activities
• Common types of emergencies on concreting and formwork sites
• Legal and moral obligations under WHS laws

2. WHS Legislation and Standards for Emergency Preparedness

• Overview of WHS Act, WHS Regulations, and Codes of Practice
• Principal contractor and employer duties in emergency management
• Relevant Australian Standards for site emergency planning

3. Identifying Potential Emergencies on Concreting Sites

• Formwork collapse, concrete pump incidents, and entrapment
• Electrical contact with pumps, booms, or reinforcing steel
• Chemical exposure

4. Developing a Site Emergency Management Plan

• Key elements of an emergency management plan (EMP)
• Risk-based approach to planning for concreting emergencies
• Site-specific considerations for pours, scaffolds, and formwork

5. Site Risk Assessment for Emergency Scenarios

• Conducting risk assessments for high-risk concreting activities
• Identifying factors that increase emergency likelihood
• Reviewing and updating risk assessments regularly

6. Emergency Response Roles and Responsibilities

• Appointing first aid officers, fire wardens, and evacuation coordinators
• Role of supervisors and leading hands during emergencies
• Worker responsibilities in assisting or alerting emergency services

7. Emergency Communication Systems and Protocols

• Setting up alarms, PA systems, and radio channels
• Using clear and direct communication during emergencies
• Emergency contact lists and information displays

8. Evacuation Planning and Muster Points

• Designing effective evacuation routes and safe assembly points
• Planning for multiple exit points based on pour and formwork layouts
• Managing evacuations for mobile and dynamic pour operations

9. Fire Prevention and Response in Concreting Environments

• Identifying fire hazards: generators, fuel storage, electrical equipment
• Fire extinguisher types and their correct use
• Conducting fire drills and equipment inspections

10. First Aid Preparedness and Injury Management

• Setting up site first aid kits suitable for concreting activities
• Recognising and treating common injuries: burns, crush injuries, fractures
• Reporting injuries and supporting incident investigation

11. Rescue Planning for Entrapment or Falls

• Developing confined space and fall rescue procedures
• Preparing retrieval systems for suspended formwork or trenches
• Training workers in self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques

12. Managing Concrete-Related Health Emergencies

• First aid for cement burns and skin irritation
• Managing silica dust inhalation and respiratory distress
• Decontamination procedures for chemical exposures

13. Emergency Procedures for Equipment Failures

• Responding to pump blockages, hose bursts, and mechanical failure
• Isolating faulty plant and securing the site
• Communicating equipment emergencies to the team quickly

14. Environmental Emergencies and Response Measures

• Managing concrete spills, slurry runoff, and stormwater pollution
• Spill kits and environmental containment measures
• Reporting environmental incidents to authorities

15. Conducting Emergency Drills and Simulations

• Planning and running realistic site-based emergency drills
• Evaluating response times, roles, and effectiveness
• Continuous improvement through debriefs and corrective actions

16. Documentation and Reporting of Emergency Incidents

• Completing incident reports accurately and promptly
• Notifying regulators where required under WHS legislation
• Keeping records of drills, incidents, and investigations

17. Training and Inducting Workers in Emergency Procedures

• Site induction topics relating to emergency preparedness
• Toolbox talks focusing on specific emergency scenarios
• Ongoing refresher training for emergency readiness

18. Promoting a Culture of Emergency Awareness and Safety

• Encouraging proactive hazard reporting and early escalation
• Recognising workers who act appropriately during emergencies
• Embedding emergency preparedness into daily site operations

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”.