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Training and Competency

Purpose

Before anyone starts work for RPD, they have to be ready for it. This procedure is how RPD confirms that workers, subcontractors and visitors hold the induction, training, licences, competency and task briefing the work demands.

Training records are managed in Breadcrumb. PIMS is used where audits identify competency gaps, repeat issues or formal corrective actions.

Procedure

Field Requirement
Applies when Workers, subcontractors and visitors before and during project work.
Owner Project Manager sets required competencies. Site Supervisor checks site readiness.
Before work starts Confirm induction, trade licences, SafeWork NSW high-risk construction licences, VOC plant and equipment competency, silica/lead/asbestos awareness and task briefing.
Minimum controls Match workers to task risk. Verify licences before work. Use toolbox talks for changes, incidents or new controls.
Hold point No worker starts task-specific work until competency and induction requirements are met.
Breadcrumb function Inductions; worker licences/cards; Plant Inductions; Pre-Starts and Toolbox Talks; Access Controls for workers not cleared to start.
Stop / escalate Remove a worker from the task where competency cannot be verified or behaviour shows unsafe practice. Escalate repeated competency gaps or audit findings into PIMS.

Competency Requirements

Work or role Minimum check
All workers and subcontractors Site induction, White Card where required, task briefing and understanding of site rules.
High-risk construction work Relevant SWMS briefing, required licence or certificate, supervision level and task-specific controls.
Plant and equipment operation VOC or other evidence of competency, plant induction, pre-start requirements and manufacturer/supplier instructions where relevant.
Work at height, scaffold, EWP or rope access Relevant licence, ticket, competency or supervision arrangement, plus rescue and emergency controls where required.
Silica, lead paint or asbestos unexpected finds Awareness briefing, SWMS controls, PPE/RPE requirements, stop-work triggers and reporting pathway.
Hazardous substances SDS access, handling/storage controls, PPE, spill response and disposal requirements.
Visitors Site-specific visitor induction or escorted access covering key hazards, emergency arrangements and access limits.

Fitness for Work

Workers must be fit to carry out the work safely. Fitness for work concerns may include fatigue, impairment, injury, illness, heat stress, medication effects, psychosocial risk or a worker not being able to safely perform the task.

Where fitness for work is uncertain, the Site Supervisor must remove the worker from the task and escalate to the Project Manager. Suitable duties, restrictions or return-to-work arrangements are management decisions and are recorded in the relevant project or HR record.

Toolbox Talks and Task Briefings

Toolbox talks and pre-starts are used to confirm that workers understand the work, hazards, SWMS controls, permits, changed conditions and stop-work triggers.

Toolbox talks must be used when:

  • Work starts on a new site or stage
  • The SWMS or method changes
  • Site conditions change
  • A new hazard is identified
  • An incident, near miss or audit finding requires communication
  • New plant, equipment, chemicals or controls are introduced.

Records and Evidence

Record System / location Evidence required
Site induction Breadcrumb Worker, subcontractor or visitor induction record and date.
Worker licences/cards Breadcrumb White Card, high-risk work licence, trade licence, EWP/scaffold/rope access certification or other required evidence.
Training and licence register Breadcrumb Current training, expiry dates and required refreshers.
Plant induction / VOC Breadcrumb Plant or equipment competency evidence, plant induction and pre-start requirements.
Toolbox talk / pre-start Breadcrumb Attendance, topic, controls discussed, worker feedback and actions.
Worker safety performance review Breadcrumb Spot checks, observations, coaching, actions and close-out.
Competency audit finding PIMS Audit finding, competency gap, corrective action, close-out and effectiveness check where required.
Fitness for work / return-to-work HR file / project file / PIMS where monitored Suitable duties, restrictions, management decisions and review evidence.

Quick Guide

Step What RPD checks
1. Confirm induction No worker, subcontractor or visitor starts without the required induction or escorted access.
2. Check the task risk Match the worker's competency to the task, SWMS, plant, access method and site conditions.
3. Verify licences Check White Cards, high-risk licences, trade licences, plant VOCs and specialist certifications before work starts.
4. Brief the controls Use SWMS briefings, toolbox talks, pre-starts and site alerts to explain hazards and controls.
5. Control site access Use Breadcrumb access controls where a worker is not cleared to start or continue task-specific work.
6. Watch behaviour Remove workers from the task if competency cannot be verified or behaviour shows unsafe practice.
7. Escalate gaps Record site-level actions in Breadcrumb. Escalate repeated or serious competency gaps into PIMS.