COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Hazard Prevention & Control in Building & Construction Sites course. This program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and practical strategies required to identify, assess, and control workplace hazards in accordance with Australian legislation and industry best practices. In a high-risk environment such as construction, hazard prevention is not optional—it is a fundamental responsibility that ensures the safety, health, and wellbeing of every person on site.

The course begins by defining the concepts of hazards and risks in the context of construction work. Participants will examine the importance of proactive hazard prevention as a foundation of safe project delivery and explore the legal and ethical responsibilities held by workers and Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) under Australian work health and safety law. Emphasis is placed on how effective hazard control prevents injuries, minimises downtime, and fosters a culture of accountability.

Understanding legislative requirements is critical for compliance and enforcement. This section provides an overview of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2017, including the duties of employers, principal contractors, subcontractors, and workers. Participants will explore the role of Safe Work Australia, how Codes of Practice guide hazard control, and the consequences of failing to uphold legal obligations.

A structured risk management process supports hazard prevention on site. This section introduces the four-step model of risk management—identification, assessment, control, and review—and explains how it integrates into daily planning and construction operations. Participants will also learn how to document risk assessments and implement control plans that are specific, measurable, and practical.

Identifying hazards is the first step in preventing harm. This section outlines common hazards found on construction sites, including physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial risks. Participants will learn how to recognise these risks through inspections, task analysis, and consultation with workers.

Falls from heights are a leading cause of fatalities in the industry. This section provides detailed instruction on using scaffolding, guardrails, harness systems, and edge protection effectively. Participants will also review ladder safety, roof work precautions, and how to develop and implement Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for height-related tasks.

Plant and equipment hazards require strict controls. This section addresses the safe use of cranes, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and mobile plant. Participants will examine exclusion zones, spotter roles, and inspection routines to prevent crush injuries, collisions, and mechanical failures.

Electrical hazards can result in fatal injuries if unmanaged. This section outlines control measures for working near live wires, managing temporary power supplies, isolating circuits, and maintaining safe distances from overhead or underground services. Lockout/tagout procedures are discussed in detail.

Manual handling risks are common across all trades. This section focuses on identifying hazardous manual tasks, applying mechanical aids, and training workers in team lifting and ergonomics. Strategies are presented to prevent sprains, strains, and long-term musculoskeletal conditions.

Controlling airborne contaminants is vital for worker health. Participants will explore methods for managing exposure to silica dust, fumes, and other inhalation risks. This includes ventilation systems, wet cutting techniques, and selection of suitable respiratory protection.

Noise and vibration are addressed through site-specific controls. This section explains how to assess high-noise areas, use administrative and engineering controls, and provide hearing protection. Vibration-related health risks are also discussed, with an emphasis on tool selection and rotation schedules.

Excavation and trenching present serious collapse hazards. Participants will examine control methods such as battering, benching, and shoring, along with safe entry and egress requirements. Water ingress, atmosphere testing, and trench inspections are also covered.

Confined space entry requires specialised procedures. This section introduces the identification of confined spaces, permit-to-work systems, atmospheric monitoring, and rescue planning. Participants will be shown how to coordinate entry with emergency response protocols.

Fire risk must be considered from planning through to project completion. This section covers the identification of fire hazards, flammable materials management, and emergency procedures. Participants will learn how to position extinguishers, implement fire safety signage, and conduct drills.

Traffic and pedestrian safety is essential for busy worksites. This section details how to create and maintain a traffic management plan, separate vehicles from pedestrian areas, and manage reversing, loading, and crane operations safely.

Working with hazardous chemicals requires strict compliance. This section teaches safe labelling, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous substances. Participants will learn how to access and interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and conduct chemical-specific risk assessments.

Site layout and housekeeping play a major role in hazard prevention. This section explains how to maintain clean, accessible worksites by organising storage zones, managing waste, and preventing slips, trips, and falls through effective housekeeping practices.

Incident reporting and investigation lead to safer outcomes. This section covers how to report hazards, near misses, and injuries; conduct root cause analysis; and implement corrective actions. Learning from past incidents is emphasised as a key part of safety improvement.

Promoting a safety-first culture ensures long-term compliance and engagement. Participants will explore how to encourage hazard reporting, involve workers in decision-making, and recognise positive safety behaviours. Leadership commitment and team participation are highlighted as core drivers of proactive safety.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and mindset required to prevent hazards, implement effective controls, and support a culture of safety excellence across all stages of construction delivery.

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 Hazard Prevention in Construction

• Defining hazards and risks in a construction context
• Importance of proactive hazard prevention and control
• Legal and moral responsibilities of workers and PCBUs

2. Understanding Legislative Requirements

• Overview of WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2017
• Duties of employers, contractors, and workers
• Role of Safe Work Australia and applicable Codes of Practice

3. Risk Management Process in Construction

• Four-step risk management: identify, assess, control, and review
• Integrating risk management into site planning and operations
• Documenting risk assessments and control plans

4. Identifying Common Hazards on Construction Sites

• Physical hazards: noise, vibration, falls from height
• Chemical hazards: dust, silica, solvents, asbestos
• Biological and psychosocial hazards

5. Falls from Heights – Prevention and Control

• Using guardrails, scaffolds, edge protection, and harness systems
• Managing ladder use, roof work, and unprotected openings
• Developing and implementing safe work method statements (SWMS)

6. Plant, Machinery and Equipment Hazards

• Identifying risks related to cranes, forklifts, and mobile plant
• Controlling access zones and exclusion areas
• Inspecting and maintaining plant and machinery

7. Electrical Hazards and Control Measures

• Managing live electrical work and temporary power supply
• Implementing lockout/tagout procedures
• Maintaining safe distances from overhead and underground services

8. Hazardous Manual Tasks and Ergonomics

• Identifying risk factors: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling
• Applying mechanical aids and team lifting techniques
• Designing tasks to reduce strain and musculoskeletal disorders

9. Controlling Exposure to Dust, Fumes, and Airborne Contaminants

• Identifying silica dust, welding fumes, and other inhalation risks
• Using local exhaust ventilation and wet cutting techniques
• Providing appropriate respiratory protection

10. Noise and Vibration Control on Construction Sites

• Identifying high-noise tasks and zones
• Using administrative controls and scheduling noisy work
• Supplying and enforcing use of hearing protection

11. Excavation and Trenching Hazards

• Preventing ground collapse through benching, battering, or shoring
• Managing access and egress from trenches
• Monitoring for water ingress and hazardous atmospheres

12. Confined Spaces and Safe Entry Procedures

• Identifying confined spaces and their associated risks
• Implementing confined space entry permits and monitoring
• Emergency response planning for confined space incidents

13. Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness

• Identifying fire hazards and flammable materials
• Installing and maintaining fire extinguishers and detection systems
• Developing and practising emergency response procedures

14. Traffic and Pedestrian Management on Site

• Developing a site traffic management plan
• Separating vehicle and pedestrian pathways
• Controlling delivery times and reversing operations

15. Working with Hazardous Chemicals and Materials

• Labelling, storing, and handling hazardous substances safely
• Accessing and using Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Training workers on chemical risk controls and emergency actions

16. Housekeeping and Site Layout for Hazard Prevention

• Maintaining clear access ways and tidy storage areas
• Preventing slips, trips, and falls from scattered materials
• Allocating zones for waste, equipment, and deliveries

17. Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedures

• Reporting hazards, near misses, and incidents promptly
• Conducting root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Learning from incidents to improve future hazard control

18. Promoting a Safety-First Culture on Site

• Encouraging hazard reporting and proactive intervention
• Involving workers in risk control and decision-making
• Recognising safe behaviours and continuous improvement efforts

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”.