The 'white Card' In Australia's Construction Industry

The White Card is a mandatory requirement for all those employed in the construction industry in Australia. From plumbers to bricklayers, a White Card is essential.

The White Card is proof that you've completed the general OHS induction, created for the construction industry alone. This general OHS induction training refers to the CPCCOHS1001A 'Work Safely in the Construction Industry' unit.

It covers information pertaining to Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) in industries including housing construction, civil construction, carpentry, roof, wall and floor tiling, asbestos removal, renovations and refurbishment.

Specifically the course details:

• The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 and codes of practice;
• Risk management;
• Principal contractor's safety plan;
• Material safety data sheets;
• Work method statements;
• Causes of fires and types of controls;
• Basic emergency procedures like first aid, evacuation plans and procedures;
• Reporting hazards to relevant people at the workplace;
• Workplace Health and Safety Officers;
• Obligations of people at the workplace;
• Duty of care, and
• Recording of work injuries, work caused illness and dangerous happenings at the workplace.

Completing CPCCOHS1001A 'Work Safely in the Construction Industry' successfully will see you receive your White Card. It is a competency based course and does require the successful completion of assessment items in order to be finalised.

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are authorised to deliver the 'Work Safely in the Construction Industry' course. They can deliver the course online or in person.

The RTO can provide the White Card, after they've been provided with the following documents from the OHS trainee: a copy of the Statement of Attainment, which is available as soon as you've completed the course via the RTO or a printer, a Statutory Declaration form signed by you, a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declaration and an observer, which can be anyone. And a copy of your photo I.D. also signed by the Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declaration or legal practitioner.

If completing the training online and faxing or emailing documentation you can expect the White Card to arrive to you via post within five to seven working days.

Once you've successfully completed the training and obtained your White Card it will be recognised throughout Australia. As signatories to the Codes of Practice all Australian construction industry governing bodies will accept a White Card, issued in any state or territory, as proof of completion of the OHS induction training.

The White Card replaces Queensland's Blue Card, Victoria's Red Card, New South Wales' Green Card and White Cards that were issued before September 2009. Some of these cards are still recognised in states and territories, regardless of the state or territory they were issued in.