COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Risk Management in Wall & Ceiling Lining Operations course. This program has been developed to equip you with the essential knowledge and practices to manage health and safety risks on internal lining worksites.
Wall and ceiling lining activities are often undertaken in dynamic and high-risk construction environments where hazards can arise from manual handling, working at heights, confined spaces, exposure to dust, or interference with live electrical services. Without a structured and proactive approach to risk management, these hazards can lead to serious injury, property damage, compliance breaches, or project delays.
This course begins by defining what risk management entails in the context of wall and ceiling lining, and why it is a legal, ethical, and operational necessity under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. Participants will explore the implications of unmanaged risks, including injury statistics, liability for breaches, and the impact on cost, quality, and reputation.
Understanding common hazards is essential to effective prevention. This section provides a practical overview of the risks most frequently encountered in lining work—such as lifting and installing large plasterboard sheets, operating at height using trestles or scaffolds, exposure to airborne particulates, and accidental contact with hidden electrical services. Each risk area is discussed in terms of likelihood, severity, and required controls.
The course then examines Australia’s legislative framework, including the WHS Act, WHS Regulations, and relevant Codes of Practice. It clarifies duty of care obligations for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), site supervisors, workers, and contractors, including what is considered “reasonably practicable” in maintaining safe workplaces.
Participants are introduced to the formal four-step risk management process: identify hazards, assess risks, control risks, and review effectiveness. Tools such as risk matrices and hazard identification templates are explored, along with the importance of consultation with team members during every stage to ensure practical and accepted risk control measures.
Site-specific risk assessments are a core skill. This section teaches how to review access paths, work zones, and overhead hazards, assess installation techniques for various lining systems, and document risk levels using structured tools. Participants will develop confidence in identifying and prioritising risks before work begins.
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are mandatory for high-risk construction tasks, including ceiling grid installations and elevated work. This section outlines when SWMS are required, how to write them clearly and job-specifically, and how to ensure workers understand and follow the documents as part of their daily practice.
Applying the hierarchy of control is vital. This section explains how to eliminate, substitute, or engineer out risks where possible, followed by administrative measures such as training or signage, with personal protective equipment (PPE) used as a last line of defence. Examples are tailored to wall and ceiling installation tasks.
Manual handling risks are addressed through correct lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids such as board lifters or trolleys, and safe material movement strategies. This section also focuses on preventing musculoskeletal injuries and repetitive strain from repetitive movements or awkward postures.
Working at heights poses serious fall risks. Participants will learn how to assess tasks performed above 2 metres, select and use appropriate access equipment (e.g., scaffolds, ladders, or stilts), and implement fall protection systems in compliance with Australian standards.
Electrical safety is another high-risk focus. This section discusses how to identify live services behind wall cavities, coordinate with licensed electricians for safe penetration, and implement lockout/tagout procedures when working near switchboards or circuits.
Exposure to dust, noise, and chemical substances is common in internal lining. Strategies for risk reduction include using dust extraction, ensuring proper ventilation, applying respiratory protection, and complying with safe exposure limits for noise and airborne particulates.
Participants will also explore safe handling of adhesives, jointing compounds, and sealants. This section outlines how to interpret and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safely store and label materials, and implement appropriate first aid and spill response procedures.
Ceiling grid systems introduce specific structural risks, particularly related to load failure, incorrect anchoring, or interference with fire services and HVAC ducts. This section outlines how to assess bracing, fixings, and load distribution in compliance with ceiling installation codes.
Tool and equipment safety is essential. This section reinforces the importance of routine inspections, correct use of portable and powered tools, use of Residual Current Devices (RCDs), and safe handling of heavy or sharp items.
Preparing for emergencies is part of effective risk management. This section covers emergency response planning for fire, falls, injuries, or entrapment. It includes the use of site signage, evacuation points, and ensuring access to well-stocked first aid kits and trained responders.
Incident and near miss reporting is critical for prevention. This section explains how to report, investigate, and use incidents as opportunities for learning and improvement. Participants will gain tools for analysing root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Worker competency plays a major role in risk reduction. This section focuses on providing task-specific training, supervising new or inexperienced workers, and fostering ongoing safety education aligned with industry updates and legislative changes.
The course concludes with strategies for reviewing and refining risk controls. Participants will learn how to conduct safety audits, update SWMS and procedures based on findings, and engage the team in proactive safety planning. Promoting a strong safety culture is key to embedding continuous improvement in every lining project.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped to identify, assess, control, and review risks in wall and ceiling lining operations—ensuring legal compliance, protecting worker wellbeing, and promoting high-performance safety outcomes on every project.
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 Lining Operations
- Definition and importance of risk management
- Legal and ethical obligations under WHS legislation
- Consequences of unmanaged risks in wall and ceiling works
2. Identifying Common Hazards in Lining Environments
- Manual handling of plasterboard and ceiling tiles
- Working at heights on ladders, stilts, or mobile scaffolds
- Electrical services, confined spaces, and dust exposure
3. Legislative Framework and Duty of Care Responsibilities
- Overview of WHS Act, Regulations, and Codes of Practice
- Responsibilities of PCBUs, workers, and contractors
- Understanding “reasonably practicable” safety controls
4. The Risk Management Process (Identify, Assess, Control, Review)
- Step-by-step breakdown of the four-stage process
- Tools for hazard identification and risk rating
- Consultation with team members during each stage
5. Conducting Site-Specific Risk Assessments
- Reviewing work zones, access paths, and overhead areas
- Assessing risks for different lining systems and fixings
- Using risk matrices to determine priority and severity
6. Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- When and how to develop a SWMS for lining work
- Inclusion of high-risk activities such as ceiling grid installation
- Ensuring workers review, understand, and sign SWMS
7. Hazard Controls Using the Hierarchy of Control
- Applying elimination, substitution, and engineering controls
- Use of administrative measures and PPE as last resort
- Examples of controls specific to wall and ceiling tasks
8. Risk Prevention in Manual Handling Activities
- Safe lifting techniques for plasterboard and framing
- Use of mechanical aids, trolleys, and board lifters
- Preventing overexertion and repetitive strain injuries
9. Working at Heights Risk Management
- Assessing risk when working above 2 metres
- Safe use of trestles, ladders, and mobile scaffolds
- Fall prevention systems and edge protection requirements
10. Electrical and Service Interference Risks
- Identifying live cables, switches, and conduits behind walls
- Coordination with electricians before penetration or fixing
- Lockout/tagout procedures and safety documentation
11. Noise, Dust, and Air Quality Control
- Managing risks from sanding, cutting, and compound mixing
- Use of dust extraction, ventilation, and respiratory PPE
- Complying with noise level thresholds for prolonged work
12. Handling Hazardous Materials and Chemicals
- Safe use of adhesives, sealants, and jointing compounds
- Reading and applying SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
- Storage, labelling, and spill response procedures
13. Risk Management in Ceiling Grid and Suspended Systems
- Load calculation, bracing, and secure anchoring
- Risk of collapse due to incorrect installation or overloading
- Coordination with fire services, HVAC, and access panel placements
14. Plant, Tools, and Equipment Safety
- Inspection and maintenance of powered tools and sanding equipment
- Use of RCDs with extension leads and portable tools
- Safe storage and manual handling of heavy or sharp tools
15. Emergency Response and Incident Preparedness
- Planning for fire, falls, medical incidents, and entrapment
- Emergency procedures, signage, and evacuation routes
- First aid provision and access on site
16. Reporting and Investigating Incidents and Near Misses
- Importance of prompt and accurate reporting
- Using reports to identify trends and root causes
- Applying corrective and preventive actions
17. Training, Supervision, and Worker Competency
- Induction and task-specific training for lining workers
- Supervision of new workers and apprentices on site
- Ongoing education on evolving risks and safety practices
18. Reviewing and Continuously Improving Risk Controls
- Auditing site safety and effectiveness of existing controls
- Updating SWMS, procedures, and signage as needed
- Promoting a proactive safety culture within the team
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”.