Construction Work - Induction Training

Induction training for the construction industry is the provision of information, instruction and training in relation to occupational health and safety management arrangements on a construction site. Induction training ensures that persons engaged to undertake construction work have a basic knowledge of the preventative measures devised from a risk assessment so as to prevent or minimise the possibility of injury on construction sites.

The regulations covering construction work are contained in Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.

Induction training

Induction training encompasses general and site specific training. General induction is training that is applicable to most construction sites. General induction training can include:

• risk management encompassing the control measures employed of common hazards;
• information on the general health and safety arrangements; and
• health and safety legal obligations and requirements

Site specific induction is the provision of education and training on the particular site rules and processes and can include:

• policies and rules regarding safe conduct on site;
• the emergency management process;
• the reporting arrangements;
• the delegated responsible persons for specific occupational health and safety; and
• other site specific health or safety matters

Employer’s duties

Under Section 16 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act), employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to health.

To ensure that risks are managed in accordance with the duties under the Act employers should systematically manage the risks to health and safety which arise in relation to specific hazards from construction activity and provide appropriate general, site specific and any other education and training as necessary.

When undertaking risk management, employers must follow the relevant Commonwealth regulations and give consideration to codes of practice. If no regulation or code exists in relation to a particular hazard or risk, employers must give consideration to a reliable source of guidance material.

Relevant Commonwealth Regulations

Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 requires employers to provide occupational health and safety induction training in relation to construction prior to the commencement of any construction work.

This duty includes a specific obligation to provide employees with instruction and training applicable to their work place. This is so that they may perform work tasks without risk to their own health and safety or others in the vicinity of the workplace. This training must be provided by an experienced and qualified person.

The employer in control of a construction project must ensure that all persons engaged for construction work undertake induction and training prior to commencing work on a construction site.

The employer must not permit a person engaged for construction work to commence work without having completed a health and safety induction course.

Employee and Contractor Duties

Employees and contractors are required to complete a course of occupational health and safety induction training. This is in addition to any site induction training which has been identified through the risk assessment process prior to the commencement of any construction work.

Employees and contractors must also undertake that work in accordance with occupational health and safety training, information and instructions on occupational health and safety measures.

Relevant Commonwealth Regulations

Other sections of the regulations may be relevant to an induction program for a specific construction site. These may include:

• Part 4 Plant
• Part 5 Manual Handling
• Part 6 Hazardous Substances
• Part 7 Confined Spaces
• Part 8 Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
• Part 10 Electricity
• Part 13 Falls from 2 metres

Relevant Commonwealth Codes of Practice

In particular, the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008:

• Part 1 - Risk Management
• Part 2 - First Aid
• Part 19 - Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight
• Part 23 - Construction Induction Training 

Relevant Guidance Material

• Organising Training in Your Workplace Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)

Further Information

For further information about this fact sheet, or others in the series, please contact Comcare on the general enquiry line 1300 366 979 or e-mail ohs.help@comcare.gov.au.

Page last updated:June 13, 2008