If you work in the construction industry, you need to have a white card. Health and safety legislative requirements make it mandatory for anyone entering or working a construction site to obtain a white card.
White card training, or construction induction training, covers the steps needed for identifying, reducing, and eliminating hazards. The white card is also a prerequisite for many other OHS training courses.
Before seeking employment in certain sectors, you may need to complete this training. Here is what you should know about white card courses in Western Australia.
What Do You Do in the White Card Course Perth?
The program provides a basic understanding of the most common dangers that you may face when working in the construction industry. It provides the unit of competency that follows the OHS codes of practice for identifying and assessing hazards.
CPCCWHS1001 – Safety Awareness Training is a nationally recognised program. It is mandatory for those working in or entering construction sites and mines.
The nationally recognised white card course covers many topics, including the following:
- How to identify health and safety hazards
- How to assess hazards
- How to reduce the risk of injury
- How to respond to incidents and emergencies
According to SafeWork Australia, between 2003 and 2016, 3,414 workers died due to work-related incidents. The training program is one of the steps the government implemented to help reduce worker fatalities.
Workers learn to identify health and safety legislative requirements. This portion of the program gives workers a basic understanding of OHS regulations and codes of practice.
Workers also learn how to identify hazards. Attendees learn the most common construction industry risks and how to plan strategies to help control those risks.
The third portion of the program focuses on safety communication and reporting processes. For example, workers may need to take a specific action to prevent a hazard from occurring, such as implement accident prevention techniques.
The final portion of the course gives participants the ability to manage factors that may affect their safety and work performance.
Who Needs a White Card in Perth?
As mentioned, anyone working or entering a construction site or mine needs to complete this program. According to the OHS Regulations 1996, construction work includes any work that meets one of the following criteria:
- Work involving a hoisting appliance or scaffolding
- Work extracting or driving piles, sheet piles, or trench sheet
- Road works and earthworks
- Work involving laying underground cable
- Work involving the construction, installation, repair, alteration, removal, dismantling, or demolition of any building or structure
When your work involves these tasks, you need to successfully complete the construction induction course. If you are not sure whether you need to complete the program, speak with your employer, your HSR, or contact WorkSafe Western Australia.
How Long Is the White Card Course in Perth?
White card training Perth takes a full day to complete. According to the OHS Act, the initial program needs to take at least six full hours. You must complete the training face to face.
Some organisations offer the program online. However, face-to-face instruction helps individuals retain more information, making the training more valuable.
After completing the initial program, you may use an online program for the refresher course. The online program is self-paced and may take a few hours to complete.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a White Card in Perth?
At AlertForce, white card training costs $120-130 per attendee. Along with this enrolment fee, you need to bring a photo ID or other valid form of identification such as a birth certificate or driver’s licence. You also need to be at least 18 years of age.
The assessment process may include additional requirements. For example, some organisations require participants to wear hard hats, eye protection, hearing protection, and high visibility vests. This equipment is standard gear for entering or working on a construction site.
Does a White Card Have an Expiration Date?
After the successful completion of the program, you will receive a statement of attainment. White cards arrive in the mail and do not have an expiry date. However, if you stop working in the construction industry for two years or longer, you may need to take the course again.
According to the government of Western Australia, there is no mandatory requirement to repeat the program. However, many regulatory bodies, safety organisations, and businesses recommend retaking the program after two years of inactivity.
If you already have a blue card, you may not need the new card. However, some safety training programs have a prerequisite requiring construction induction training. If you plan to enrol in a program with this prerequisite, you will need to take the newer construction induction program.
Safety legislative requirements make obtaining a white card mandatory for those entering or working on a construction site. If this applies to you, enrol in an approved program today.
