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Regulators do not accept white cards obtained through online courses. If you intend to work on or enter into a construction site, you need to complete face-to-face training.
Construction sites contain many hazards, increasing the risk of severe injury for those that do not follow proper safety practices. White card training offers the skills and knowledge needed for dealing with the potential risks. If you plan on seeking employment in the construction industry, you should learn more about the training.
What Is the Training Requirement for the White Card?
CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry is the unit of competency for white card training. It replace the previous CPCCOHS1001A – Work safely in the construction industry. Registered training organisations (RTOs) must follow the training requirements and standards to provide nationally recognised training. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) oversees the course details and requirements for assessing participants. Typically, RTO’s then need to have an agreement with State Regulators like Safework NSW and Worksafe Victoria, who administer the issuance of the actual ‘White card’ itself. Assessors need to verify that participants can demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the WHS legislative requirements.
To demonstrate knowledge of the course details, you need to orally explain common construction hazards and basic procedures for responding to emergencies. The unit of competency also recommends that training organisations offer a simulated environment relevant to the industry.
How Is the Training Delivered?
White card training is delivered in person by a registered training organisation. The course typically lasts one day.
Online courses are still available but in most cases are not acceptable anymore. However, face to face white card training is recommended if you do not want to run in to any issues about the validity of your training. WHS regulatory bodies do not recognise Statement of Attainoments obtained through online courses. It is also banned in most states and territories, including New South Wales.
Trainers are also required to verify the photo ID of every participant, which is not possible with online courses.
Face-to-face training ensures that you receive nationally recognised training and up to date health and safety information without ambiguity.
Why Do You Need to Complete a White Card Course?
White card training is needed for anyone who works on or visits a construction site. Onsite workers and supervisors need to complete the CPCCWHS1001 course. The requirements also extend to vendors, inspectors, and anyone whose work regularly takes them to construction sites.
The purpose of the training is to teach participants how to deal with the most common hazards in a construction setting. Courses combine theory and practical training to give you the skills needed for assessing the safety of a job site or task.
SafeWork Australia recorded 24 work-related fatalities in the construction industry in 2019 and 27 fatalities in 2018.
How Much Does the White Card Training Cost?
The cost of white card training varies. Some registered training organisations also offer savings for group training. If multiple employees need to complete the CPCCWHS1001 course, your company may receive a discount.
AlertForce offers a one-day white card course for $120 per employee. The course complies with state regulations and is recognised nationally. You will receipt a card from Safework NSW in the mail after you have been deemed competent.
What Will You Learn by Completing the CPCCWHS1001 White Card?
The course covers a wide range of health and safety topics. The main learning outcomes of the white card course include:
- Knowledge of health and safety legislation
- How to identify common construction hazards
- How to implement control measures
- Best practices for communication and reporting
- Procedures for emergency response
The course includes a thorough review of health and safety legislative requirements. RTOs tailor the content to include legislative requirements for your jurisdiction.
You also learn the duty of care requirements for PCBUs. Employers have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe work environment.
During your training, you also learn more about construction hazards and the various control measures for mitigating risks. The basic principles of risk management covered in the training include the following five steps:
- Identifying the hazard
- Assessing the risks
- Consultation and reporting
- Implementing control measures
- Reviewing the control measures
Common construction hazards include asbestos, confined spaces, dust, falling objects, manual handling, working at heights, traffic, and equipment operation.
After identifying the hazard, you assess the risks. Decide who may be harmed and how. Supervisors and workers then consult to minimise risks. The preferred course of action is to avoid the risk completely.
When changes to the design or process are not an option, workers may need to substitute materials or minimise exposure, such as through job rotation. After implementing the control measures, assess and update the process if necessary.
The course also covers the processes for reporting safety issues, injuries, and incidents. This includes an overview of the roles of health and safety personnel, such as health and safety representatives (HSRs). Along with reporting injuries and incidents, you learn how to identify and respond to emergencies.
What Accreditation Will You Get?
After you successfully complete the course, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. The statement provides verification that you have completed the required training. A wallet-size card arrives in the mail several weeks later from the relevant regulator.
If you start work in the construction industry before the card arrives, you may present the statement to your employer.
White cards do not expire under the WHS Act regulations. However, it has become the standard for employees to take a refresher course or retake the face-to-face course every two years.
Summary
To obtain a white card, you need to complete the CPCCWHS1001 course in a face-to-face setting through a registered training organisation, such as AlertForce.
White card training is mandatory for construction workers and anyone that sets foot on a job site involving any form of construction, including building renovations.
In the end, white card training benefits everyone by helping to promote a safe workplace and reducing the occurrence of on the job accidents.
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