Induction for Construction Work

The National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work now applies in SA.

South Australia has adopted the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work as an Approved Code of Practice. The National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work was Approved by the Minister and gazetted on the 15th August 2008.

The adoption of the Code essentially removes a layer of red tape in hiring construction employees in SA. It recognises safety induction training performed interstate, thereby avoiding the need to duplicate it for access to SA sites. The safety indution training is recognised across all states.

The Code brings together best practice from Australian state and territory OHS authorities into a framework to promote a nationally uniform approach to OHS induction training in the building and construction industry.

The Code supersedes the current SA general induction training, SA Construction Industry Common Site Safety Induction Course, commonly known within the industry as the SA Green Card, which is facilitated by the SA Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

As a transitional phasing in arrangement, all current SA Green Cards will be recognised in SA. As each Green Card expires, holders will be required to undertake additional training to satisfy the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work and obtain a "White Card".

The tripartite SA Construction Industry OHS Committee (SA CIOC), representing construction industry stakeholders, has also endorsed the Code.

What is a Code of Practice?

An Approved Code of Practice provides practical guidance to meeting your safety obligations under the law. It should always be followed unless there is another solution, which achieves the same or a better standard of health and safety in your workplace.

Approved Codes of Practice are used in addition to the Act and Regulations to provide workplaces with more detailed guidance on how to comply with their safety requirements.

Who does the new Code apply to?

The Code is relevant to anyone involved in construction work, especially if you:

• have control of construction projects (e.g. principal contractors, project managers, main contractors, builders, employers, self employed persons)
• have control of construction work (e.g. employers, self-employed persons, principal contractors, main contractors, sub-contractors)
• carry out construction work (e.g. employees, contractors, labour-hire workers)

What does the Code say?

The Code provides guidance on the three types of OHS induction training required in the construction industry, namely:

• general induction
• site induction
• task-specific induction.

The guidance on the recommended general induction training is to ensure that people entering the construction industry gain:

• a basic knowledge of requirements under OHS laws
• the common hazards and risks likely to be encountered on construction sites
• how these risks should be controlled.

The new national White Card General Induction Course covers only the General Induction requirements. Employers must still provide additional Site-specific and Task-specific induction training as necessary.

Who can deliver the general induction training?

The Code requires that general induction training be delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

The current SA Green Card has been the industry-recognised accredited induction programme since December 2000, but is recognised principally in South Australia.

The SA Construction Industry Training Board introduced National Code-compliant general induction training in July 2008, which will be delivered by its approved RTOs.

All other RTOs will need to develop their training program to comply with the Code.

RTOs must submit the results of the general induction training to SafeWork SA each week and issue temporary cards, valid for a month.

On receiving the weekly list from the RTO, SafeWork SA will organise to have the permanent cards issued and mailed out to those on the list.

What will the new Induction Card contain?

The new national General Induction Card details will be displayed on a white background with the state's logo.

Details displayed on the card will be the card number (Incorporating the RTO number), the person's name and date of birth, and the date of issue.

The opposite side will contain the person's signature against a light blue background and the phrase 'Working across borders'.

The Card No is constructed as follows: (the RTO Number - a 6 digit identifier - issue number)

Who can deliverer it?

RTOs wishing to deliver the training should contact DFEEST via email dfeestreception@saugov.sa.gov.au or you can contact them using the following details.

DFEEST
General Enquiries

Telephone: +61 8 8226 3821
Level 4, 11 Waymouth Street
Adelaide SA 5000

or

GPO Box 320
Adelaide SA 5001

Download the full Code of Practice from the link below.