If you wish to start work in the construction industry in Australia, you must have completed a White Card course and you must carry your card when you are at work. The course focuses on health and safety in the workplace.
In this article, we take a look at what the course consists of, and we list the benefits of work health and safety (WHS) measures. We identify roles you could begin immediately on completion of the White Card training and, finally, we outline some of the training courses run by KI Training and Assessing, which could boost your earning potential.
What’s involved in a white card training course?
Completion of a white card course is mandatory for anybody who wishes to work on a construction site in Australia. The course covers work health and safety training to ensure Australian work sites are free from work-related diseases and injuries.
The content of the course includes:
- WHS legislative requirements
This includes understanding the current Occupational Safety and Health Act which identifies the legal requirements for the provision of a healthy and safe workplace.
- Identify potential construction hazards and control measures
Workplace hazards may relate to noise, traffic, heavy plant or other machinery, asbestos, working at heights and others. You will know how to spot potential hazards and how to deal with them.
- WHS communication and reporting processes
Understanding the processes in place for orally reporting hazards. This includes the reporting of workplace risks with the potential to cause injury or damage to enable action to be taken to reduce, or remove, the risk.
- WHS incident response procedures
Course attendees will understand site procedures for responding to hazards. This may include the use of fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, hoses and fire blankets.
Why does work health and safety matter?
The implementation of work health and safety (WHS) measures, particularly on a construction site, has advantages for employees and for the business:
- Workplace injuries
The biggest, and most obvious, advantage of WHS measures is the reduction of illnesses and injuries at work.
- Adherence to regulations
Australian businesses must comply with legal WHS regulations or risk the consequences, including hefty fines.
- Staff morale
When employees realise their health and safety are prioritised, morale is increased. There will be lower absentee rates and staff turnover is reduced.
- Productivity
When staff feel safe at work, productivity is often increased. Workers are more efficient when there are reduced risks of health issues or injury.
- Company reputation
A business with a reputation for respecting staff safety is viewed favourably by the public and clients.
What will I get after the training?
After completing the nationally accredited course, you will receive a Construction Induction White Card and a Statement of Attainment.
The White Card proves you have completed the training, and you understand the mandatory work health and safety processes applicable to construction work sites. You must always have the card on you when you are at work on a construction site.
You will have an advantage when it comes to getting work in the mining, oil, industrial and gas industries.
With the current housing shortage across Australia, and particularly in Western Australia, plus the shortage of construction workers, there has never been a better time to begin your career.
What construction work is available?
When you have achieved your White Card, you will be able to apply for work. Without any further training, you could begin working as a general labourer. This involves physical work such as transporting materials, digging, and assisting skilled tradespeople. This role enables the smooth operation of many worksites.
You may be able to work as a traffic controller, managing pedestrian and vehicular traffic on, or near, the site to maintain safety. This role may involve setting up signs and operating devices to direct traffic.
With some experience you could work as a Site Safety Officer, developing safety policies, providing safety training to the workforce and conducting site inspections.
With further training, you could open up many other career options. Consider enrolling on one of the safety courses or high-risk work licences identified in the section below.
Kickstart your construction career with KI Training and Assessing
KI Training and Assessing provide training to support the industrial, civil and mining sectors and enable individuals to gain work in these sectors. Our nationally-accredited courses are conducted by industry-experienced trainers at our state-of-the-art training facilities.
At KI Training and Assessing, we conduct the 4-hour duration White Card training course at our training facilities in Belmont, Perth or Rockingham.
The White Card course is one of our range of safety training courses, which include the handling and removal of asbestos-containing material plus training in the knowledge and skills to perform rescue of others from a low voltage electrical panel.
Our suite of high-risk work licences is also designed to prepare you for work in the industrial, civil and mining industries. These courses include scaffolding, rigging and dogging, plus elevated platforms and forklift operating and a range of crane-operating courses.