COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Manage Critical Safety Threats in Building & Construction Sites course. This comprehensive program is designed to strengthen your ability to recognise, assess and control the most serious risks that arise across the full lifecycle of building and construction projects, from early site establishment through to fit-out and commissioning.

This course begins by outlining the major categories of critical safety threats on building and construction sites, explaining the legal duties, WHS regulations and duty-of-care obligations that apply to PCBUs, supervisors and workers, clarifying roles in hazard identification, consultation, documentation and incident response, and describing how risk assessment, permits, controls, monitoring and review must be applied consistently across all project phases.

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of fatalities and life-changing injuries in construction and demand disciplined planning and control. This section examines work on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, elevated platforms and formwork decks, and the dangers posed by unprotected edges, open penetrations, stair voids and lift shafts. It explores incomplete or incorrect edge protection, guardrails or scaffolding, the specific risks of fragile roofing such as skylights and fibre-cement sheets that can break under load, the use of improvised platforms like buckets, crates or stacked materials instead of purpose-designed access equipment, and slips and trips that lead to falls from trucks, trailers and plant access steps.

Slips, trips and same-level falls can cause serious injury on their own and also act as triggers for more severe events such as falls from height. This section looks at how mud, slurry, water, dust, oil or chemicals on floors and access ways increase the likelihood of sudden loss of footing, how poor housekeeping with offcuts, tools, hoses, cords and debris left in walkways creates constant trip hazards, and how uneven ground, rubble, temporary ramps and exposed reinforcement or starter bars contribute to sprains, fractures and secondary falls. It also addresses poor lighting in stairwells, basements, night work or enclosed areas, and unsecured mats, temporary coverings and loose boards that move unexpectedly under load.

Moving and falling objects present a critical threat in multi-level worksites where activities are stacked vertically and horizontally. This section explores the risk of falling tools, bricks, formwork, fixings and materials from higher levels, loads that swing or drop from cranes, hoists and forklifts, and the collapse of stacked or poorly secured materials such as timber packs, block stacks, plasterboard and steel. It also examines ejected materials from power tools including nail guns, grinders and saws, and debris generated by demolition, cutting, grinding and jackhammering, highlighting the need for exclusion zones, overhead protection, secure storage and disciplined material handling.

Plant, vehicles and mobile equipment create high-consequence risks whenever people and machinery share the same space. This section examines scenarios where workers are struck, pinned or run over by trucks, excavators, loaders, rollers, skid steers and forklifts, particularly where plant operates in tight spaces, blind spots and shared work zones. It considers reversing vehicles with limited visibility and inadequate spotters or exclusion zones, unauthorised plant use or operation outside competency and licence conditions, and unstable or overturned plant on steep, soft or uneven ground, emphasising traffic management, communication and segregation controls.

Caught-in and crush injuries can occur in an instant and often involve permanent damage or fatality. This section explores how hands or other parts of the body can be caught in moving parts of machinery and tools, the risk of being crushed between vehicles or plant and fixed structures or other vehicles, and the collapse of temporary supports, props, formwork, shoring or excavations that trap or compress workers. It also considers fingers and hands caught in doors, hatches, hinged guards, shutters and panels, reinforcing the importance of guarding, lock-out procedures and safe positioning.

Structural collapse, excavation failure and poorly managed temporary works can result in catastrophic multi-person incidents. This section examines collapse of partially built walls, columns or brickwork without adequate bracing, failure of scaffolding, formwork or falsework due to overloading or poor erection, and trench or excavation collapses caused by inadequate shoring, benching or battering. It also addresses the collapse of temporary decks, platforms or stairs not designed for actual loads, ground collapse burying or trapping workers in trenches or pits, falls into open trenches, pits, shafts and manholes, and the consequences of striking underground services such as gas, electricity, water, sewer and communications. The section further explores water ingress leading to slips, drowning risk or excavation collapse, and mobile plant working too close to trench edges causing ground failure.

Electrical hazards are present on virtually every construction site and can be fatal if controls are weak or bypassed. This section explores contact with overhead power lines by cranes, EWPs, tip trucks or long materials, striking underground electrical cables during excavation, and the dangers posed by damaged cords, plugs, leads and power tools used in harsh site conditions. It also considers unsafe use of temporary power boards, leads and RCDs, and the risks of live work or inadvertently energised circuits during fit-out or maintenance, underlining the need for planning, isolation, testing and competent electrical work.

Hand tools and powered tools, while essential to productivity, introduce specific risks of laceration, amputation and impact injury when used incorrectly or in unsuitable conditions. This section examines cuts, amputations and punctures from saws, knives, grinders and drills, eye injuries from flying particles, sparks and fragments, and vibration injury from prolonged use of breakers, compactors and rotary hammers. It also explores kickback from circular saws, chainsaws and grinders, and noise exposure from continuous tool use in confined or reflective spaces, linking tool selection, training, PPE and maintenance to risk reduction.

Noise and vibration create both immediate and long-term health impacts that can be overlooked amid more obvious site hazards. This section addresses long-term hearing loss from high noise levels generated by plant, demolition, cutting and hammering, hand–arm vibration from powered tools that can cause circulation and nerve damage, and whole-body vibration experienced by workers operating heavy plant over extended periods. It emphasises assessment, engineering controls, administrative measures and personal protection to keep exposures within safe limits.

Hazardous substances, dusts and biological agents are increasingly recognised as critical safety threats due to their chronic and sometimes fatal health effects. This section provides an extensive overview of silica dust from cutting, grinding, drilling or demolishing concrete, bricks, tiles, stone and fibre cement; cement dust causing skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues and chemical burns when wet; and asbestos fibres released when disturbing old sheeting, lagging, sprayed coatings and gaskets in older buildings. It examines lead exposure when sanding, grinding or burning old lead-based paint or working with lead flashing, welding, brazing and cutting fumes from mild steel, stainless and galvanised steel, and metal dust from grinding and cutting steel sections. The section also covers solvent vapours from paints, thinners, primers, sealers and cleaning agents; isocyanates in certain two-pack paints, foams and coatings; adhesives, sealants, mastics and resins that can cause skin and respiratory sensitisation; and bitumen fumes from asphalt, roof membranes and waterproofing works. In addition, it considers exposure to fuels and oils during plant use and refuelling, detergents, degreasers and strong cleaning chemicals, curing compounds, form release agents and concrete additives, timber preservatives and treatment chemicals (including dust from treated timber), and biological hazards such as sewage and contaminated water in drainage work, animal and bird droppings in roof voids and old structures, mould and fungal growth in damp or fire- or flood-affected buildings, and sharps or biomedical waste in some refurbishment and demolition workplaces.

Fire, explosion and hot work hazards can quickly escalate into large-scale emergencies when flammable materials and ignition sources are not tightly controlled. This section examines fire risks from welding, cutting and grinding near combustible materials, ignition of flammable vapours from solvents, fuels or adhesives, and gas cylinder leaks or poor storage of LPG and oxy–fuel bottles. It also considers the accumulation of combustible dusts, offcuts and packaging in enclosed areas, and the need for permits, fire watch arrangements and separation distances.

Confined and restricted spaces pose unique and often less visible threats that require specialised planning and controls. This section explores oxygen deficiency or enrichment and build-up of toxic gases or fumes in pits, tanks, shafts or poorly ventilated enclosures, and how difficult entry and exit can delay rescue and evacuation in emergencies. It also examines engulfment hazards from liquids, loose materials or collapsing walls in confined spaces, reinforcing the importance of permits, atmospheric testing, standby personnel and rescue plans.

Environmental and outdoor conditions influence both immediate safety and long-term health for construction workers. This section examines heat stress and dehydration in hot weather, direct sun and high radiant heat on roofs and steel decks, UV exposure leading to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk, and cold, wind and rain causing hypothermia, reduced dexterity and higher slip risk. It also considers lightning strikes when working on exposed structures, roofs or scaffolds, and how weather monitoring and work planning are critical to risk management.

Manual handling and ergonomics are embedded in almost every construction task and can cause significant musculoskeletal injury if not managed systematically. This section looks at lifting and carrying heavy materials such as bricks, blocks, steel, plasterboard, formwork and bags, awkward postures when working overhead, crouching, kneeling or twisting, and repetitive tasks like screwing, nailing, tying reinforcement, trowelling and sanding. It also considers handling large, awkward loads such as windows, doors and panels in tight or uneven spaces, emphasising mechanical aids, team lifts and task redesign.

Psychosocial and fatigue-related risks affect decision-making, risk perception and the willingness to follow safety procedures, especially in high-pressure project environments. This section explores how long hours, shift work and overtime contribute to fatigue and reduced alertness, how deadline pressure can drive rushed work and shortcuts on safety controls, and how stress from job insecurity, high workloads and remote or FIFO arrangements affects mental health and focus. It also addresses conflict, bullying or aggression in high-pressure site environments, reinforcing the need for supportive leadership, fair workload management and a strong safety culture.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with comprehensive knowledge, structured risk-assessment tools and practical control strategies to identify, manage and escalate critical safety threats on building and construction sites, helping to protect workers, subcontractors and the public while supporting safe, compliant and efficient project 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 Safety Threats in Building & Construction Work

• Major categories of critical safety threats on building and construction sites
• Legal duties, WHS regulations and duty-of-care for PCBUs, supervisors and workers
• Roles in hazard identification, consultation, documentation and incident response
• Risk assessment, permits, controls, monitoring and review across project phases

2. Falls from Height

• Work on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, elevated platforms and formwork decks
• Unprotected edges, open penetrations, stair voids and lift shafts
• Incomplete or incorrect edge protection, guardrails or scaffolding
• Fragile roofing (skylights, fibre-cement sheets) that can break under load
• Improvised platforms (buckets, crates, stacked materials) instead of access equipment
• Slips and trips leading to falls from trucks, trailers and plant access steps

3. Slips, Trips and Same-Level Falls

• Mud, slurry, water, dust, oil or chemicals on floors and access ways
• Poor housekeeping with offcuts, tools, hoses, cords and debris in walkways
• Uneven ground, rubble, temporary ramps and exposed reo or starter bars
• Poor lighting in stairwells, basements, night work or enclosed areas
• Unsecured mats, temporary coverings and loose boards

4. Moving and Falling Objects

• Falling tools, bricks, formwork, fixings and materials from higher levels
• Loads swinging or dropping from cranes, hoists and forklifts
• Collapse of stacked or poorly secured materials (timber packs, block stacks, plasterboard, steel)
• Ejected materials from power tools (nail guns, grinders, saws)
• Debris from demolition, cutting, grinding and jackhammering

5. Plant, Vehicles and Mobile Equipment

• Being struck, pinned or run over by trucks, excavators, loaders, rollers, skid steers and forklifts
• Plant operating in tight spaces, blind spots and shared work zones
• Reversing vehicles with limited visibility and inadequate spotters or exclusion zones
• Unauthorised plant use or operation outside competency and licence conditions
• Unstable or overturned plant on steep, soft or uneven ground

6. Caught-In and Crush Injuries

• Hands or body caught in moving parts of machinery and tools
• Being crushed between vehicles/plant and fixed structures or other vehicles
• Collapse of temporary supports, props, formwork, shoring or excavations
• Fingers and hands caught in doors, hatches, hinged guards, shutters and panels

7. Structural Collapse, Excavations and Temporary Works

• Collapse of partially built walls, columns or brickwork without bracing
• Failure of scaffolding, formwork or falsework from overloading or poor erection
• Trench and excavation collapse due to inadequate shoring, benching or battering
• Collapse of temporary decks, platforms or stairs not designed for actual loads
• Ground collapse burying or trapping workers in trenches or pits
• Falls into open trenches, pits, shafts and manholes
• Striking underground services (gas, electricity, water, sewer, communications)
• Water ingress causing slips, drowning risk or excavation collapse
• Mobile plant working too close to trench edges causing ground failure

8. Electrical Hazards

• Contact with overhead power lines by cranes, EWPs, tip trucks or long materials
• Striking underground electrical cables during excavation
• Damaged cords, plugs, leads and power tools on site
• Unsafe use of temporary power boards, leads and RCDs
• Live work or inadvertently energised circuits during fit-out or maintenance

9. Hand Tools and Powered Tools

• Cuts, amputations and punctures from saws, knives, grinders and drills
• Eye injuries from flying particles, sparks and fragments
• Vibration injury from prolonged use of breakers, compactors and rotary hammers
• Kickback from circular saws, chainsaws and grinders
• Noise exposure from continuous tool use in confined or reflective spaces

10. Noise and Vibration

• Long-term hearing loss from high noise (plant, demolition, cutting, hammering)
• Hand–arm vibration from powered tools causing circulation and nerve damage
• Whole-body vibration from operating heavy plant over extended periods

11. Hazardous Substances, Dusts and Biological Agents

• Silica dust from cutting, grinding, drilling or demolishing concrete, bricks, tiles, stone and fibre cement
• Cement dust causing skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues and chemical burns when wet
• Asbestos fibres from disturbing old sheeting, lagging, sprayed coatings and gaskets in older buildings
• Lead exposure when sanding, grinding or burning old lead-based paint or working with lead flashing
• Welding, brazing and cutting fumes from mild steel, stainless and galvanised steel
• Metal dust from grinding and cutting steel sections
• Solvent vapours from paints, thinners, primers, sealers and cleaning agents
• Isocyanates in some two-pack paints, foams and coatings causing respiratory sensitisation
• Adhesives, sealants, mastics and resins causing skin and respiratory sensitisation
• Bitumen fumes from asphalt, roof membranes and waterproofing works
• Fuel and oil exposure (diesel, petrol, hydraulic oil) during plant use and refuelling
• Detergents, degreasers and strong cleaning chemicals used on plant and surfaces
• Curing compounds, form release agents and concrete additives
• Timber preservatives and treatment chemicals, including dust from treated timber
• Sewage and contaminated water in drainage and plumbing work
• Animal and bird droppings in roof voids, old structures and demolition sites
• Mould and fungal growth in damp, fire-damaged or flood-affected buildings
• Sharps and biomedical waste in some refurbishment and demolition workplaces

12. Fire, Explosion and Hot Work

• Fire from welding, cutting and grinding near combustible materials
• Ignition of flammable vapours from solvents, fuels or adhesives
• Gas cylinder leaks and poor storage of LPG or oxy–fuel bottles
• Accumulation of combustible dusts, offcuts and packaging in enclosed areas

13. Confined and Restricted Spaces

• Oxygen deficiency or enrichment and build-up of toxic gases or fumes in pits, tanks, shafts or poorly ventilated enclosures
• Difficult entry and exit, delaying rescue and evacuation in emergencies
• Engulfment by liquids, loose materials or collapsing walls in confined spaces

14. Environmental and Outdoor Conditions

• Heat stress and dehydration in hot weather, direct sun and high radiant heat (roofs, steel decks)
• UV exposure leading to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk
• Cold, wind and rain causing hypothermia, reduced dexterity and higher slip risk
• Lightning strikes when working on exposed structures, roofs or scaffolds

15. Manual Handling and Ergonomics

• Lifting and carrying heavy materials (bricks, blocks, steel, plasterboard, formwork, bags)
• Awkward postures when working overhead, crouching, kneeling or twisting
• Repetitive tasks such as screwing, nailing, tying reinforcement, trowelling and sanding
• Handling large, awkward loads (windows, doors, panels) in tight or uneven spaces

16. Psychosocial and Fatigue-Related Risks

• Long hours, shift work and overtime causing fatigue and reduced alertness
• Deadline pressure driving rushed work and shortcuts on safety controls
• Stress from job insecurity, high workloads, remote or FIFO arrangements
• Conflict, bullying or aggression in high-pressure site environments

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 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”.