White Card WHS Legislation and Duties — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, what is the main duty of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)?
- To pay all workers a site allowance
- To ensure the health and safety of workers so far as is reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- To provide free transport to the site
- To inspect every tool once a year
Correct answer: To ensure the health and safety of workers so far as is reasonably practicable
A PCBU has the primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by the work.
Question 2: What does the White Card (CPCWHS1001) certify that you have completed?
- A first aid certificate
- A high risk work licence
- An asbestos removal licence
- General construction induction training (Correct answer)
Correct answer: General construction induction training
The White Card shows you have completed the nationally recognised general construction induction training unit CPCWHS1001.
Question 3: Which body regulates work health and safety in most Australian states and territories?
- The state or territory WHS regulator (e.g. SafeWork) (Correct answer)
- The local council
- The fire brigade
- The builder's insurer
Correct answer: The state or territory WHS regulator (e.g. SafeWork)
Each state and territory has a WHS regulator, such as SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria or Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, that enforces the legislation.
Question 4: What is a worker's duty under WHS law while at work?
- To ignore site rules if running late
- To supervise the PCBU
- To take reasonable care for their own and others' safety and follow reasonable instructions (Correct answer)
- To write the safety policy
Correct answer: To take reasonable care for their own and others' safety and follow reasonable instructions
Workers must take reasonable care for their own safety, not put others at risk, and comply with reasonable WHS instructions and policies.
Question 5: Before any high risk construction work starts, what document must be prepared?
- A timesheet
- A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) (Correct answer)
- A tax invoice
- A weather report
Correct answer: A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) must be prepared for high risk construction work and kept on site for the duration of that work.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a site safety induction before you start work?
- To collect your pay details
- To inform you of site-specific hazards, rules and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- To test your tools
- To sign you up to a union
Correct answer: To inform you of site-specific hazards, rules and emergency procedures
A site induction makes sure every worker knows the specific hazards, rules, amenities and emergency arrangements for that particular site.
Question 7: If you are asked to do a task you believe is unsafe, what should you do?
- Do it quickly to get it over with
- Swap the task with a mate
- Raise the concern with your supervisor and not carry out unsafe work (Correct answer)
- Wait until the end of the day
Correct answer: Raise the concern with your supervisor and not carry out unsafe work
You have the right and duty to raise safety concerns. You should not carry out work you reasonably believe is an immediate serious risk to health or safety.
Question 8: Who is responsible for consulting with workers about WHS matters that affect them?
- Only the workers themselves
- The client only
- Nobody — it is optional
- The PCBU (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The PCBU
The WHS Act requires the PCBU to consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers who are or are likely to be directly affected by a health and safety matter.
White Card WHS Legislation and Duties
Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, what is the main duty of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)?