S11/GI Workplace Health and Hygiene 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the hierarchy of controls for managing Workplace Health and Hygiene risks?
- PPE first, then other controls
- Elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administrative, PPE — most to least effective (Correct answer)
- Administrative controls only
- No hierarchy exists
Correct answer: Elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administrative, PPE — most to least effective
The hierarchy ranks controls from most effective (elimination) to least effective (PPE), guiding risk control decisions.
Question 2: How often should Workplace Health and Hygiene procedures be reviewed?
- Never once written
- Regularly, after incidents, when conditions change, or when new information emerges (Correct answer)
- Every 20 years
- Only when the regulator requests it
Correct answer: Regularly, after incidents, when conditions change, or when new information emerges
Procedures must be living documents, reviewed regularly and in response to changes, incidents, and new knowledge.
Question 3: What consultation requirements exist for Workplace Health and Hygiene under WHS law?
- None — management decides alone
- Workers must be consulted on matters affecting their health and safety, with genuine opportunity to provide input (Correct answer)
- Consultation is voluntary
- Only senior workers are consulted
Correct answer: Workers must be consulted on matters affecting their health and safety, with genuine opportunity to provide input
WHS law requires genuine consultation with workers on matters affecting their safety, including through HSRs and committees.
Question 4: What emergency procedures should cover Workplace Health and Hygiene scenarios?
- No emergency procedures needed
- Response actions, evacuation, first aid, communication protocols, and specific hazard responses (Correct answer)
- Only dialling 000
- A general evacuation plan only
Correct answer: Response actions, evacuation, first aid, communication protocols, and specific hazard responses
Emergency procedures must be comprehensive and specific to the hazards associated with the activity.
Question 5: What penalties apply for non-compliance with Workplace Health and Hygiene regulations in Australia?
- No penalties
- Significant fines (up to millions of AUD for corporations) and potential imprisonment for serious offences (Correct answer)
- A verbal warning only
- A small administrative fee
Correct answer: Significant fines (up to millions of AUD for corporations) and potential imprisonment for serious offences
Australian WHS penalties are severe, with Category 1 offences carrying fines up to AUD 3 million and potential imprisonment.
Question 6: What is the role of PPE in managing Workplace Health and Hygiene risks?
- PPE is the primary control
- PPE is the last line of defence, used only when higher-level controls are not reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- PPE eliminates all risks
- PPE is not relevant
Correct answer: PPE is the last line of defence, used only when higher-level controls are not reasonably practicable
PPE is the least effective control in the hierarchy and should only be relied upon when other controls cannot adequately reduce the risk.
S11/GI Workplace Health and Hygiene 2
What is the hierarchy of controls for managing Workplace Health and Hygiene risks?