Do I need to do training? What are my obligations under the WHS Act (2011)?

Persons conducting business or undertakings (PCBU) must ensure the provision of any information, training, instruction, or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety.

Additionally, workplaces are also required to comply with the Australian Standards, specifically AS 3745 (2010) (Planning for Emergencies in Facilities) and Australian Standard 4083-2010 (Planning for emergencies – Healthcare Facilities). These standard requires: Relevant training be provided every 6 months to the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO/Wardens) and facility occupants. With building evacuations be conducted minimum once (1) per year Training based on emergency response procedures and in accordance with the Australian Standards Evacuation procedures shall be provided by the employer to protect the health and safety of all employees and building occupants in a fire or emergency situation.

If fire or any safety equipment is fitted within the workplace, the PCBU needs to ensure staff are trained in its correct use. Fire Extinguisher training is recommended every 2 years.

How often do I need to carry out Fire Warden training?

Emergency Response Training is required by AS 3745-2010 to be conducted in 6 monthly periods and is organised by the emergency planning committee (EPC). The EPC is to assess and allocate the ECO roles to appropriate staff and ensure they receive necessary training for their role. The training is to be conducted by a current and competent person. Safework Training can help organise this training for you- either face to face or online.

Do I need to take my staff through practical fire/evacuation training?

Yes, there is an immediate and deadly risk of fire to staff and/or visitors within every workplace. The risks may vary due to the age and layout of the building, the alarm and detection/suppression systems fitted and the fire load within the premises. As part of Legislation and A/S you need to have staff trained and prepared in any emergency Fire can occur at any time and in a matter of seconds. If staff are not appropriately trained, injuries and even death may result. The hands-on or practical training is vital to consolidate theory learnt from training sessions. Emergency plans, fire drills and evacuations need to be tested to ensure they work.

Do I need first aid or CPR training for my staff?

Yes under current WHS Legislation you need people in your workplace that are First Aid trained. A trained first aider should hold a nationally recognised statement of attainment from a registered training organisation. Some workplaces may require more specific or advanced first aid training depending on the nature of the work or the workplace. First aiders should attend training regularly so their knowledge and skills are up-to-date. As a rule of thumb there should be one first aider for every:

  • 50 workers in low-risk workplaces (for example, an office)
  • 25 workers in high-risk workplaces (for example, a construction site)
  • 10 workers in remote high-risk workplaces (for example, a mine).

How often do I need to update my CPR or First Aid certificate?

CPR should be updated annually, and First Aid courses done every 3 years, Safework Training Australia conducts online and face to face courses on you worksite so we come to you.

What sort of training do Safework Training Australia conduct?

We do not offer public courses, we come to our clients sites and conduct course at your workplace. We provide accredited and non-accredited formats. The non-accredited courses still meet WHS regulations and Australian Standards and you will still obtain a statement of attendance – these courses are usually more popular as they are at a lower cost and shorter in duration. All our non-accredited courses are structured from the accredited text. We are a registered RTO working on behalf of Health Corp #91222.

Do you offer online courses?

Yes we offer online format in Fire extinguisher, Fire warden and Evacuation procedures. We also offer working from home safety course which has been very useful for companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Do you offer public courses?

No, we only conduct session on your site. We provide all training materials, paperwork and come to you at your worksite.

Do you use live fire for your fire courses?

Yes, we use our gas fire prop for our fire training and give all trainees an opportunity to extinguish real fire using fire extinguishers and fire blankets. We believe it is important to experience the heat and intensity of live fire to best prepare you for a potential emergency situation. This cannot be obtained by using fake fire or TV simulations.

Does my building need Evacuation Diagrams?

Yes under A/S and WHS buildings need to have Evacuation diagrams the following are the minimum requirements. A pictorial representation of the floor or area.

  • NOTE: External elements, such as fences, roads, landscaping, external buildings, etc., should be excluded from the pictorial representation unless part of the exit pathway.
  • The title ‘EVACUATION DIAGRAM’.
  • The ‘YOU ARE HERE’ location.
  • The designated exits in the facility, which shall be green.
  • The following communications equipment, where installed:
  • Warden intercommunication points (WIPs), which shall be red.
  • Manual call points (MCPs), which shall be red, and emergency call points (ECPs), which shall be white with a black border.
  • Main controls/panels for the occupant warning equipment.
  • Hose reels, which shall be red.
  • Extinguishers, which shall be red with an additional appropriate colour as specified in AS/NZS 1841.1.
  • Fire blankets, which shall be red.
  • Fire indicator panel (FIP), if provided.
  • Refuges, if present.
  • Validity date. ( Diagrams are valid for 5years)
  • Location of assembly area(s), either stated in words or pictorially represented.
  • A legend, which shall reflect the symbols used.
  • Paths of travel, which shall be green.
  • Location of facility, including address, postcode, location of access street(s), nearest cross street and name of facility (if available), either stated in words or pictorially represented.

What is an emergency plan?

Details about emergency plans can be found here on our free information sheet.

Do I need an emergency plan?

Yes every PCBU (company) needs an emergency plan under the WHS Legislation. View the free checklist here.

Why should I choose Safework Training Australia?

Safework Training Australia have current emergency service personnel conducting all courses. These services include Paramedics, Intensive Care Paramedics and Fire Fighters. Safework Training Australia does not employ full-time trainers as we pride ourselves on providing trainers who are already undertaking careers as professional emergency service workers. Our industry experience and first hand knowledge of emergency situations is what sets our trainers apart from other providers. We have a passion for our courses and make sure you leave feeling like you have received an interactive training session, not just a lecture, providing you with a better understanding about Emergency response in your workplace Our trainers are our greatest asset and client testimonials enthusiastically reflect this.