White Card Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When you arrive on a new construction site, what emergency information should you find out first?
- The lunch menu
- Who owns the company
- The location of exits, the emergency assembly point and first aid (Correct answer)
- The colour of the fence
Correct answer: The location of exits, the emergency assembly point and first aid
During induction you should learn the emergency procedures, evacuation routes, assembly points and where first aid and fire equipment are located.
Question 2: If the site alarm sounds for an evacuation, you should:
- Stop work, make the area safe if possible, and move to the assembly point (Correct answer)
- Finish your task first
- Hide
- Keep using machinery
Correct answer: Stop work, make the area safe if possible, and move to the assembly point
On hearing an evacuation alarm, stop work, shut down equipment if safe, and proceed calmly to the designated emergency assembly point for a head count.
Question 3: What is the emergency phone number for police, fire or ambulance in Australia?
- 911
- 112 only
- 000 (Correct answer)
- 999
Correct answer: 000
Triple Zero (000) is the primary emergency number in Australia for police, fire and ambulance.
Question 4: A 'notifiable incident' under WHS law must be reported to the regulator. Which is an example?
- A worker arriving late
- A torn glove
- A delivery delay
- A serious injury, death, or a dangerous incident such as a structural collapse (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A serious injury, death, or a dangerous incident such as a structural collapse
Notifiable incidents include deaths, serious injuries or illnesses, and dangerous incidents (like collapses or exposure to hazards). They must be reported to the WHS regulator immediately.
Question 5: After a notifiable incident, what must happen to the incident site?
- Clean it up straight away
- Preserve the site (do not disturb it) until the regulator allows otherwise (Correct answer)
- Keep working as normal
- Take it apart for souvenirs
Correct answer: Preserve the site (do not disturb it) until the regulator allows otherwise
The site of a notifiable incident must be preserved and not disturbed (except to help an injured person or make it safe) until the regulator directs otherwise.
Question 6: Why should you report all incidents and near misses, even minor ones?
- To get someone in trouble
- So hazards can be identified and fixed before they cause serious harm (Correct answer)
- It is a waste of time
- 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 7: If a workmate is injured, what is the first thing you should generally do?
- Move them immediately no matter what
- Take a photo for social media
- Continue your own work
- Ensure the area is safe, then call for first aid help and emergency services if needed (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ensure the area is safe, then call for first aid help and emergency services if needed
First make sure the area is safe so you do not become a casualty too, then get qualified first aid assistance and call 000 if the injury is serious.
Question 8: 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)
- It is never needed
- Hidden away
- Only the supervisor knows
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.
White Card Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
When you arrive on a new construction site, what emergency information should you find out first?