White Card PPE and Safety Signs — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What colour and shape is a mandatory (must-do) safety sign in Australia?
- Blue circle with white symbol (Correct answer)
- Red circle
- Yellow triangle
- Green square
Correct answer: Blue circle with white symbol
Mandatory signs are blue circles with a white symbol or text, telling workers an action must be carried out, such as 'Hard hat must be worn'.
Question 2: A yellow triangle sign with a black border and symbol is used to:
- Show an emergency exit
- Warn of a hazard or danger (Correct answer)
- Give first aid information
- Order you to stop
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 3: What does a prohibition sign (red circle with a diagonal line) mean?
- You must do this
- Emergency equipment is here
- This action or behaviour is not allowed (Correct answer)
- Safe area
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 4: When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be inspected?
- Only when it breaks
- Once a year
- Never — it lasts forever
- Before each use for damage, wear or defects (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Before each use for damage, wear or defects
PPE should be checked before each use to make sure it is clean, in good condition and fit for purpose; damaged PPE must be replaced.
Question 5: Which item of PPE protects against falling objects on a construction site?
- A high-vis vest
- Earplugs
- A hard hat (safety helmet) (Correct answer)
- 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 6: Why is high-visibility (hi-vis) clothing worn on site?
- So workers can be easily seen by plant operators and other workers (Correct answer)
- To look professional
- To keep warm
- Because it is fashionable
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.
Question 7: Green signs with a white symbol on a construction site usually indicate:
- Emergency information such as first aid, exits or assembly points (Correct answer)
- A prohibited area
- A warning
- A mandatory action
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 8: Who is responsible for providing PPE to workers?
- The worker must buy their own
- The PCBU (employer) must provide and maintain suitable PPE (Correct answer)
- The council
- The customer
Correct answer: The PCBU (employer) must provide and maintain suitable PPE
The PCBU must provide suitable PPE, make sure it fits, maintain it, and train workers in its correct use, unless the worker genuinely supplies their own.
White Card PPE and Safety Signs
What colour and shape is a mandatory (must-do) safety sign in Australia?