COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Risk Management in Construction Waterproofing Operations course. This program has been designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to identify, assess, control, and review risks associated with waterproofing activities, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance across all types of projects. Effective risk management not only protects workers and clients but also plays a critical role in ensuring project success and preventing costly defects or delays.
This course begins by introducing the importance of proactive risk management within waterproofing operations. You will explore the wide-reaching impact of poor risk control on workplace safety, waterproofing quality, and project outcomes, and understand the core principles that underpin a successful risk management approach in construction settings.
A strong understanding of legal obligations is essential for anyone working in waterproofing. This section reviews the key legislative frameworks, including the WHS Act and Regulations, the Construction Work Code of Practice, and Australian Standards such as AS 3740 and AS 4654. It explains how these documents define minimum compliance requirements for waterproofing tasks and chemical safety.
Risk management in waterproofing follows a structured, four-step process: Identify, Assess, Control, and Review. This section outlines how this cycle is integrated into daily site operations and highlights the critical role of team consultation in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
Recognising the hazards specific to waterproofing work is a major focus. This section examines common chemical hazards (such as solvents and adhesives), physical risks (such as slips and falls), and equipment-related dangers. Real-world examples help to contextualise where and how these hazards occur on typical worksites.
Conducting effective site-specific risk assessments is the foundation of risk control. Here, you will learn how to carry out pre-start inspections, identify high-risk areas like rooftops and basements, and ensure that assessments remain current as site conditions change during the project.
Applying the hierarchy of control measures is essential for reducing risks effectively. This section explains how to prioritise elimination, substitution, and engineering controls over less effective administrative and PPE measures, with practical examples specific to waterproofing worksites.
Chemical safety is a major component of risk management in waterproofing. This section provides detailed guidance on the safe storage, handling, and usage of hazardous materials, with a focus on the importance of maintaining and referencing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to manage chemical exposure risks.
Working at heights introduces serious risks in waterproofing activities. This section explains how to identify fall risks, plan and install fall prevention systems such as edge protection and harness anchor points, and supervise their correct use in compliance with WHS laws and industry best practice.
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common injuries on waterproofing sites. This section focuses on managing slippery surfaces created by wet membranes and curing agents, maintaining clean work areas, and using slip-resistant footwear to mitigate risks.
Ensuring the safety of tools and equipment is vital. This section covers the inspection, maintenance, and safe operation of grinders, sprayers, mixers, and other plant commonly used in waterproofing, as well as procedures for isolating faulty equipment through lockout systems.
Emergency preparedness must be embedded into waterproofing risk management. This section guides you through developing emergency response plans for chemical spills, falls, and fire events, and highlights the importance of regular training and clearly defined evacuation procedures.
Environmental risks must also be managed effectively. Here, you will learn about preventing chemical runoff, managing waste responsibly, implementing sediment controls, and responding to environmental incidents in compliance with EPA and local council requirements.
Manual handling injuries are a frequent issue in waterproofing. This section discusses how to recognise hazardous manual tasks, promote the use of mechanical aids like trolleys and hoists, and train workers in safe lifting and ergonomic techniques.
Managing contractor and subcontractor risk is critical on larger projects. This section provides a framework for subcontractor prequalification, SWMS review, site monitoring, and clear communication of safety expectations to ensure consistent risk control across all site personnel.
Effective risk management requires constant monitoring and review. This section outlines how to conduct site inspections and audits, apply corrective actions when deficiencies are identified, and update risk assessments and control measures in response to changing site conditions.
Learning from incidents and near misses strengthens future risk management. This section explains how to report and investigate incidents thoroughly, conduct root cause analysis, and implement improvements based on lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
Worker training and competency development are vital to maintaining effective risk control. This section discusses the importance of hazard awareness training, site-specific induction programs, and refresher training to keep workers' skills and knowledge up to date for high-risk waterproofing tasks.
Building a positive risk management culture is the ultimate goal of this course. You will learn how to encourage hazard reporting, recognise and reward proactive safety behaviour, and embed risk management principles into every aspect of waterproofing work to ensure a safer, more efficient, and compliant industry.
By the end of this course, you will be well-prepared to implement, lead, and maintain strong risk management practices in construction waterproofing operations, ensuring both your personal safety and the long-term success of the projects you are involved in.
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 Risk Management in Waterproofing Operations
- Importance of risk management in waterproofing projects
- Impact of poor risk management on safety, quality, and project outcomes
- Core principles of a proactive risk management approach
2. Legal Requirements and Industry Standards
- WHS Act and Regulations relevant to waterproofing activities
- Codes of Practice for Construction and Hazardous Chemicals
- Australian Standards such as AS 3740 and AS 4654 for waterproofing work
3. The Risk Management Process Overview
- Four key steps: Identify, Assess, Control, Review
- Integrating risk management into daily waterproofing operations
- Role of consultation and worker involvement
4. Identifying Common Hazards in Waterproofing Activities
- Chemical hazards: adhesives, primers, curing agents
- Physical hazards: slips, trips, falls, manual handling risks
- Equipment and machinery risks: sprayers, grinders, elevated work platforms
5. Conducting Site-Specific Risk Assessments
- Pre-start inspections and job-specific hazard assessments
- Identifying high-risk areas such as roofs, balconies, basements
- Adapting risk assessments to changing site conditions
6. Applying the Hierarchy of Control Measures
- Elimination, substitution, engineering, administration, and PPE controls
- Prioritising permanent hazard elimination wherever possible
- Practical examples of control measures in waterproofing sites
7. Managing Chemical Safety Risks
- Safe storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances
- Using and maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Controlling risks from solvent-based products and fumes
8. Managing Work at Heights in Waterproofing Projects
- Identifying fall risks on rooftops, scaffolded areas, and balconies
- Planning and implementing fall prevention systems
- Supervising correct use of harnesses, edge protection, and static lines
9. Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazard Management
- Managing slippery surfaces from wet membranes and curing agents
- Good housekeeping practices to keep work areas clear
- Using slip-resistant footwear and highlighting hazards
10. Equipment Safety and Plant Risk Management
- Inspection, maintenance, and tagging of tools and machinery
- Safe operation of surface grinders, sprayers, and mixing equipment
- Lock-out and isolation procedures for faulty equipment
11. Emergency Planning and Incident Response
- Developing site-specific emergency response procedures
- Planning for chemical spills, falls, and fires
- Training workers in emergency actions and evacuation routes
12. Environmental Risk Management
- Preventing pollution from chemical runoff and washouts
- Managing waste, recycling, and site environmental controls
- Responding to environmental incidents and regulatory reporting
13. Managing Manual Handling and Ergonomic Risks
- Recognising manual tasks with high injury potential
- Using mechanical aids for heavy lifting
- Promoting safe lifting techniques and team handling strategies
14. Contractor and Subcontractor Risk Management
- Prequalifying subcontractors based on safety performance
- Reviewing subcontractor SWMS and site compliance
- Monitoring contractor activities and managing safety expectations
15. Monitoring and Reviewing Risk Control Measures
- Regular site inspections and safety audits
- Corrective action procedures for identified deficiencies
- Keeping risk assessments and controls up-to-date
16. Incident Investigation and Lessons Learned
- Reporting incidents, near misses, and hazards
- Root cause analysis for waterproofing-related incidents
- Using findings to improve future risk management practices
17. Training and Competency for Risk Control
- Ensuring workers are trained in hazard identification and controls
- Inducting workers in site-specific risk management requirements
- Providing ongoing refresher training for high-risk activities
18. Building a Positive Risk Management Culture
- Encouraging workers to actively identify and report hazards
- Recognising and rewarding proactive safety behaviour
- Embedding risk management into all waterproofing activities
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”.