Work Safely in the Construction Industry - CPCCOHS1001A
also known as BLUE CARD / WHITE CARD

New requirements for safety awareness training for workers employed on construction sites in Western Australia took effect from 1 January 2007.

The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) seeks to influence the awareness and activities of every person and organisation with a role in improving Australia's occupational health and safety (OHS) performance.  To that end in May 2007 the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work was developed to provide guidance to persons working in the general and residential construction sectors.  One of the measures introduced is a national induction training package for the construction industry.

The national unit of competency CPCCOHS1001A Work Safely in the Construction Industry has been developed to meet this requirement. 

Completion of the program is designed to 'enable' people to work in the building and construction industry, and candidates will achieve a statement of attainment for the national unit of competency CPCCOHS1001A.

The MARCSTA program conforms with the unit of competency for 'Work Safely in the Construction Industry' and the National Code of Practice for 'Induction for Construction Work'.

New White Card - Work Safely in the Construction Industry

Worksafe is changing the design of the construction induction cards from 'blue' to 'white' as a result of harmonisation of training across all States and Territories. 

Across all States and Territories, including here in WA, both the Blue Card and the new White Card are accepted by the regulatory authority as evidence that induction training has been completed.

Further information is available from Worksafe WA, click the link below:

Worksafe WA - New training in safety awareness for the construction industry

* Information current as of 13th July 2009.

Program Content

Module 1: OSH - The Law, Your Employer and You

• legislation, regulations, codes of practice, guidelines and standards
• right to refuse work
• responsibility for regulation by WorkSafe
• general duties of care - public safety, employee, employer, manufacturers and suppliers
• safety and health representatives and safety and health committees
• resolution of safety and health issues
• workplace policies and procedures
• reporting of serious occurrences, injuries and hazards
• workers' compensation

Module 2: Managing Risks in the Workplace

• understanding the meaning of hazard and risk
• risk assessment/management
• control methods for managing risks
• job safety analysis worksheets
• five steps to complete a JSA
• emergency procedures and response plans
• emergency situations
• emergency response training

Module 3: Staying Safe in the Building and Construction Industry

• employee responsibility
• effects of shift work
• how to manage the effects of shift work
• fatigue
• your personal alertness
• diabetes
• obesity
• depression
• safety management systems
• benefits of a safety management system
• examples of safety rules - equipment and tool safety
• performing high risk work
• housekeeping
• personal protective equipment
• prevention of skin cancer, eye damage and mosquito born viruses
• safe manual handling
• alcohol and other drugs at the workplace
• smoking
• alarm systems and emergency exits/escape routes
• responding to emergencies
• fire equipment
• first aid

Module 4: Environment and Other Considerations

• the working environment and weather conditions
• heat stress
• hypothermia
• safety signage
• tag and lock out isolation procedures
• environmental issues and responsibilities
• vegetation
• native fauna
• water pollution
• atmospheric pollution
• entry into confined spaces
• working at heights
• safety rules for working on ladders
• electrical safety
• hazardous substances