White Card Construction Hazards and Risks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of site induction on a construction project?
- To assign a desk
- To inform workers of site-specific hazards, rules, emergency procedures, and the WHS management plan (Correct answer)
- To collect personal tax details only
- To hand out company merchandise
Correct answer: To inform workers of site-specific hazards, rules, emergency procedures, and the WHS management plan
Site induction familiarises workers with specific site hazards, safety rules, emergency procedures, and relevant safety documentation.
Question 2: What is a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN)?
- A parking fine
- A notice issued by a trained HSR requiring a WHS contravention to be remedied (Correct answer)
- A project scheduling tool
- A workplace award
Correct answer: A notice issued by a trained HSR requiring a WHS contravention to be remedied
Trained HSRs can issue PINs when they believe a WHS provision has been or is being contravened.
Question 3: Which hazard category does manual handling belong to?
- Chemical hazard
- Ergonomic/biomechanical hazard (Correct answer)
- Biological hazard
- Radiation hazard
Correct answer: Ergonomic/biomechanical hazard
Manual handling injuries are ergonomic/biomechanical hazards involving musculoskeletal strain from lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Question 4: What is a 'near miss' and why is it important?
- A missed target in archery
- An event that could have caused injury but did not, important because it signals underlying hazards (Correct answer)
- A failed job application
- A late delivery
Correct answer: An event that could have caused injury but did not, important because it signals underlying hazards
Near misses indicate hazards that almost caused harm. Reporting them allows preventive action before an actual injury occurs.
Question 5: Who can issue a prohibition notice on an Australian construction site?
- Any worker
- A WHS inspector from the regulator (Correct answer)
- The site's neighbours
- A union official only
Correct answer: A WHS inspector from the regulator
WHS inspectors have the power to issue prohibition notices requiring work to cease immediately when there is a serious risk.
Question 6: What is an engineering control on a construction site?
- Wearing a hard hat
- A physical modification like installing machine guards, ventilation, or barriers (Correct answer)
- A written procedure
- Rotating workers between tasks
Correct answer: A physical modification like installing machine guards, ventilation, or barriers
Engineering controls physically change the workplace or equipment to reduce hazard exposure — examples include guards, barriers, ventilation, and noise enclosures.
White Card Construction Hazards and Risks 4
What is the purpose of site induction on a construction project?