White Card Construction Hazards and Risks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When should a risk assessment be reviewed?
- Every 10 years
- After changes to work conditions, incidents, or when controls prove ineffective (Correct answer)
- Only when the regulator visits
- Never once completed
Correct answer: After changes to work conditions, incidents, or when controls prove ineffective
Risk assessments must be reviewed when circumstances change, after incidents, when controls fail, or when new hazard information emerges.
Question 2: What does a yellow triangle safety sign indicate under AS 1319?
- Prohibition — do not do something
- Mandatory — you must do something
- Warning — a hazard is present (Correct answer)
- Emergency information
Correct answer: Warning — a hazard is present
Yellow triangle signs warn of hazards or dangerous conditions per Australian Standard AS 1319.
Question 3: What is a Health and Safety Representative (HSR)?
- A government inspector
- An elected worker representative who can issue PINs and represent workers on safety matters (Correct answer)
- The site manager
- An insurance agent
Correct answer: An elected worker representative who can issue PINs and represent workers on safety matters
HSRs are elected by workers and, once trained, can issue Provisional Improvement Notices, inspect the workplace, and represent workers on WHS matters.
Question 4: What is 'due diligence' for an officer of a PCBU?
- Signing paperwork only
- Proactive steps to acquire WHS knowledge, understand hazards, and ensure resources for compliance (Correct answer)
- Attending one meeting per year
- Delegating all safety responsibilities
Correct answer: Proactive steps to acquire WHS knowledge, understand hazards, and ensure resources for compliance
Officers must exercise due diligence under Section 27 of the WHS Act, including staying informed, understanding hazards, and ensuring proper resources and processes.
Question 5: What is the maximum penalty for a Category 1 WHS offence for a body corporate?
- AUD 5,000
- AUD 50,000
- AUD 3 million (Correct answer)
- AUD 500
Correct answer: AUD 3 million
Category 1 offences — reckless conduct exposing someone to risk of death or serious injury — carry penalties up to AUD 3 million for corporations.
Question 6: How quickly must a notifiable incident be reported to the regulator?
- Within 30 days
- Within 1 week
- Immediately after becoming aware (Correct answer)
- At the next scheduled meeting
Correct answer: Immediately after becoming aware
The PCBU must notify the regulator immediately after becoming aware of a notifiable incident such as death, serious injury, or a dangerous incident.
White Card Construction Hazards and Risks 2
When should a risk assessment be reviewed?