White Card General Construction Induction Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Green signs with a white symbol on a construction site usually indicate:

A mandatory action
A warning
A prohibited area
Emergency information such as first aid, exits or assembly points (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Emergency information such as first aid, exits or assembly points

Green and white signs provide safe-condition or emergency information, such as the location of first aid, fire exits and emergency assembly points.

Question 2: What type of ladder must NOT be used near electrical hazards?

Fibreglass
All are safe near electricity
Aluminium or other metal ladders (Correct answer)
Wooden

Correct answer: Aluminium or other metal ladders

Metal ladders conduct electricity and must never be used near live electrical equipment or overhead power lines.

Question 3: Repetitive bending, twisting and heavy lifting can cause which type of injury?

Sunburn
Hearing loss
Musculoskeletal disorders (such as back and joint injuries) (Correct answer)
Tooth decay

Correct answer: Musculoskeletal disorders (such as back and joint injuries)

Poor manual handling and repetitive movements can cause musculoskeletal disorders, including back, shoulder and joint injuries, which are common in construction.

Question 4: Before any high risk construction work starts, what document must be prepared?

A tax invoice
A timesheet
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) (Correct answer)
A weather report

Correct answer: A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) must be prepared for high risk construction work and kept on site for the duration of that work.

Question 5: Where should you find a fire extinguisher's correct type and location on site?

Identified during your induction and marked with green/red safety signage (Correct answer)
Hidden away
Only the supervisor knows
It is never needed

Correct answer: Identified during your induction and marked with green/red safety signage

Fire fighting equipment locations and types are covered in your site induction and marked with safety signs, so you can respond quickly and use the right extinguisher.

Question 6: Who is responsible for consulting with workers about WHS matters that affect them?

Only the workers themselves
The PCBU (Correct answer)
The client only
Nobody — it is optional

Correct answer: The PCBU

The WHS Act requires the PCBU to consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers who are or are likely to be directly affected by a health and safety matter.

Question 7: What type of hazard does silica dust represent?

Chemical/health hazard causing silicosis and lung cancer (Correct answer)
Biological hazard
No hazard at all
Physical hazard

Correct answer: Chemical/health hazard causing silicosis and lung cancer

Respirable crystalline silica from cutting concrete and stone can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 8: What is the purpose of site induction on a construction project?

To collect personal tax details only
To inform workers of site-specific hazards, rules, emergency procedures, and the WHS management plan (Correct answer)
To assign a desk
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 9: Which Australian Standard covers fall arrest systems?

AS 2550
AS 3600
AS 1170
AS/NZS 1891 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: AS/NZS 1891

AS/NZS 1891 covers industrial fall arrest systems including harnesses, lanyards, anchorages, and energy absorbers.

Question 10: A yellow triangle sign with a black border and symbol is used to:

Give first aid information
Show an emergency exit
Order you to stop
Warn of a hazard or danger (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Warn of a hazard or danger

Yellow triangular signs are warning signs that alert you to a hazard or dangerous condition you need to be aware of.

Question 11: What document gives you information about the hazards and safe handling of a chemical on site?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (Correct answer)
A timesheet
A delivery docket
A site map

Correct answer: A Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) describes a hazardous chemical's properties, hazards, safe handling, storage and first aid measures, and must be available on site.

Question 12: What is the most common cause of fatalities on Australian construction sites?

Paper cuts
Falls from height (Correct answer)
Sunburn
Excessive noise

Correct answer: Falls from height

Falls from height are consistently the leading cause of fatalities in the Australian construction industry.

Question 13: What must a fragile roof risk assessment address?

The roof's age
The risk of the roof material giving way under a person's weight and required protection measures (Correct answer)
Only rain leakage
Only the roof colour

Correct answer: The risk of the roof material giving way under a person's weight and required protection measures

Fragile roof assessments must evaluate whether materials (fibro, rusted metal, skylights) could give way and specify protection such as crawl boards or nets.

Question 14: Which of the following is the plant operator's responsibility before using construction plant?

Ensuring a backup operator is available to take over if needed
Obtaining written approval from the manufacturer each time
Ensuring all nearby workers know the plant's market value
Confirming the plant is registered, serviced, and safe to use (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Confirming the plant is registered, serviced, and safe to use

Operators must confirm plant is properly registered, serviced, and safe to use before commencing operation to comply with WHS obligations.

Question 15: Under the WHS Act 2011, what does PCBU stand for?

Personal Clothing and Body Uniform
Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (Correct answer)
Professional Construction and Building Union
Public Construction Bureau Unit

Correct answer: Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking

PCBU stands for Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking — the primary duty holder under the WHS Act.

Question 16: What is the emergency phone number for police, fire or ambulance in Australia?

911
000 (Correct answer)
112 only
999

Correct answer: 000

Triple Zero (000) is the primary emergency number in Australia for police, fire and ambulance.

Question 17: Which item of PPE protects against falling objects on a construction site?

A hard hat (safety helmet) (Correct answer)
Earplugs
A high-vis vest
Sunglasses

Correct answer: A hard hat (safety helmet)

A hard hat protects the head from falling objects, bumps and impacts, and is mandatory on most construction sites.

Question 18: Which is the MOST effective level of the hierarchy of controls?

PPE
Elimination (Correct answer)
Engineering controls
Administrative controls

Correct answer: Elimination

Elimination completely removes the hazard, making it the most effective control in the hierarchy.

Question 19: What Australian Standard covers safety signage in workplaces?

AS 1319 (Correct answer)
AS 2870
AS 3600
AS 4100

Correct answer: AS 1319

AS 1319 — Safety signs for the occupational environment — specifies design, colours, and use of safety signs.

Question 20: Why should you report all incidents and near misses, even minor ones?

It is a waste of time
So hazards can be identified and fixed before they cause serious harm (Correct answer)
To get someone in trouble
Only to fill in paperwork

Correct answer: So hazards can be identified and fixed before they cause serious harm

Reporting incidents and near misses lets the site identify and control hazards early, preventing more serious injuries in the future.

Question 21: What does the White Card (CPCWHS1001) certify that you have completed?

General construction induction training (Correct answer)
A first aid certificate
A high risk work licence
An asbestos removal licence

Correct answer: General construction induction training

The White Card shows you have completed the nationally recognised general construction induction training unit CPCWHS1001.

Question 22: What is the purpose of an energy absorber in a fall arrest system?

Absorbing sound
Reducing arrest force to a survivable level (below 6 kN) (Correct answer)
Storing electricity
Cushioning the platform

Correct answer: Reducing arrest force to a survivable level (below 6 kN)

Energy absorbers limit the maximum arrest force on the body to 6 kN or less, preventing serious injury during fall arrest.

Question 23: Under what circumstances can PPE be the sole fall protection measure?

Always
On weekdays only
Whenever the worker is experienced
Only when all higher-level controls in the hierarchy have been considered and found not reasonably practicable (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Only when all higher-level controls in the hierarchy have been considered and found not reasonably practicable

PPE (harnesses) should only be the sole control when passive and engineering controls are not reasonably practicable — it is the last resort in the hierarchy.

Question 24: What does a prohibition sign (red circle with a diagonal line) mean?

Safe area
Emergency equipment is here
You must do this
This action or behaviour is not allowed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: This action or behaviour is not allowed

Prohibition signs use a red circle with a diagonal line over a black symbol to show an action or behaviour is forbidden, such as 'No smoking'.

Question 25: What is the minimum width for a scaffold working platform?

300mm
225mm
450mm
675mm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 675mm

The minimum working platform width is 675mm under AS/NZS 4576, with 450mm acceptable for a passage only.

Question 26: What is a worker's duty under WHS law while at work?

To take reasonable care for their own and others' safety and follow reasonable instructions (Correct answer)
To write the safety policy
To ignore site rules if running late
To supervise the PCBU

Correct answer: To take reasonable care for their own and others' safety and follow reasonable instructions

Workers must take reasonable care for their own safety, not put others at risk, and comply with reasonable WHS instructions and policies.

Question 27: If you find or suspect asbestos in a building, what should you do?

Sweep it up quickly
Vacuum it with a normal vacuum
Break it up to check
Stop work, leave it undisturbed and report it to your supervisor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stop work, leave it undisturbed and report it to your supervisor

Do not disturb suspected asbestos. Stop work in the area, keep others away, and report it so a licensed assessor or removalist can deal with it safely.

Question 28: How often must a pre-start inspection be performed on construction plant?

Before each use or at the start of each operator's shift (Correct answer)
Once per week at the start of the working week
Monthly, as part of a scheduled maintenance program
Only when a new operator takes over the machine

Correct answer: Before each use or at the start of each operator's shift

Pre-start checks must be performed before each use or at the start of each shift to identify defects before operation begins.

Question 29: What is the purpose of a site safety induction before you start work?

To sign you up to a union
To test your tools
To inform you of site-specific hazards, rules and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
To collect your pay details

Correct answer: To inform you of site-specific hazards, rules and emergency procedures

A site induction makes sure every worker knows the specific hazards, rules, amenities and emergency arrangements for that particular site.

Question 30: Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, what is the main duty of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)?

To inspect every tool once a year
To pay all workers a site allowance
To provide free transport to the site
To ensure the health and safety of workers so far as is reasonably practicable (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To ensure the health and safety of workers so far as is reasonably practicable

A PCBU has the primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by the work.

Question 31: Why is high-visibility (hi-vis) clothing worn on site?

Because it is fashionable
So workers can be easily seen by plant operators and other workers (Correct answer)
To keep warm
To look professional

Correct answer: So workers can be easily seen by plant operators and other workers

Hi-vis clothing makes workers easier to see, especially around moving plant, vehicles and in low light, reducing the risk of being struck.

White Card General Construction Induction Assessment

The Australian White Card (General Construction Induction) Assessment covers workplace health and safety obligations, construction hazard identification and risk control, working at heights, manual handling, personal protective equipment, emergency procedures, and legal duties under WHS legislation.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

70%

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