The minimum control checklists MAY NOT be used on their own to authorise work. They must as a minimum be accompanied with a work clearance form and a JSA/SWMS.

You must fill out the clearance form for all work.  The form will identify if the job is higher risk, and identifies whether work requires minor work checklists or work permit and high risk certificates (high risk work).

The clearance issuer accreditation does NOT authorise you to self issue work for high risk jobs such as confined space entry and asbestos removal. These type of high risk jobs require a significant more amount of training and additional licences. The accreditation you have is ONLY for low risk work.

As a minimum, every job requires a work clearance form and a JSA/SWMS. It then depends on the level of risk as to whether you need the minimum controls checklist, or for the higher risk jobs, a work permit with high risk certificate. Don’t mix up the systems. If you require a work permit, you will be using a high risk certificate, not a checklist.

As an accredited clearance issuer you CAN authorise low and lower risk work under the work clearance form and minimum control checklists. You CANNOT authorise high risk work that is done under a Work Permit or High Risk Certificates. This work is authorised by Permit Officers.

Ensure that you refer to the activity matrix when answering the questions related to them. Link to the activity matrix: https://wpcg.com.au/wp-content/uploads/PERMIT_ActivityMatrix.pdf

For example, this is where you would find the forms required if you were performing work with a battery operated drill around the fuel dispenser. Because you are using a battery operated drill, the work is hot work. The work is in a hazardous area, and you can comply with all the WPCG controls. This work can be authorised by a clearance issuer as it does not involve the use of a work permit.

You find on the activity matrix when you need a Work Permit and a Ground Disturbance Certificate

Whilst it is important that the PCBU (the bosses) is safe, the reason the government has set the legislation on workplace safety is to ensure that the workplace is safe for everyone.

Although there are some differences in Health and Safety Laws between the States and Territories, what they have in common is that everyone has a duty of care to make sure as far as reasonably practicable that…. Page 11 of your book should help you with this question.

Refer to the information on hazards on page 22 of the learner guide

A hazard is a condition or practice that has the potential to harm. Check that you are not choosing a consequence as opposed to a hazard. The reason it is important to know the hazard versus the consequence is that if you can identify the hazard, you can work out what protective control you are going to put up. For example, if I just say there are “slips and trips” that doesn’t tell me what the hazard is. What control do I set up? But if I say there is uneven concrete, that may result in a slip or trip, you can then set up the relevant controls to warn people about the uneven concrete hazard. In this case “slips and trips” is the consequence, the hazard is “uneven concrete”.

When monitoring the controls you set up, you would only change them if they were not effective (not working).

Make sure you refer to the hazard maps. We do expect you to know how to read them. Watch over the following video to refresh on how to use them.

Hazard Maps: https://vimeo.com/300649520/20d020dbc7

Hazardous Areas: https://vimeo.com/300644512/d35562bd1c

You chose that you would amend a JSA “When a worker has an alternative solution for completing a task that you decide is not appropriate.” From a safety perspective, if you do not believe that a solution to complete a task is appropriate, you should not be changing your JSA to complete the task in that way.

Petrol vapours are heavier than air, refer to page 15 of your Learner Guide. Click here to review more information on petrol vapours.

Review LPG properties (see page 16 of the Learner Guide) – note LPG will ignite – it is flammable product.

With respect to changing conditions (refer to page 20 of your handbook)

– new contractors come on the job. Ask yourself, does the added amount of people on the worksite possibly add to the risk?

– a change in wind direction occurs. On the job you have set up a compressor. The exhaust is now blowing into the site shop. Is this a new risk due to a change?

– temperature has gone up. Your work involves working on a ladder. Is there an added risk working at a height on a hot day?

– there is an increase in traffic. Is the additional amount of vehicles on the forecourt an added risk?

Ensure that you refer to the forms when answering the questions related to them. We don’t expect you to memorize the conditions or what controls are needed. We expect you to know where to look on the forms to find the relevant information. THE ANSWER TO EVERY QUESTION IN THIS SECTION CAN BE FOUND ON THE FORMS. Links to all of the forms are available in the forms menu in the assessment.  Copies are also provided in the Learner Guide.

For example, the work clearance form has information such as minimum PPE required, how many fire extinguishers you need, and the checks you need to go through at the end of a day.

The types of work that you can’t use the Minor Ground Disturbance checklist for is listed on the top of the form.

All of the cautions related to ladders is word for word off the minor work at heights checklist – here they are highlighted

It is not the role of the site manager to fill out and issue the clearance form for you. They may not be WPCG accredited. It is your responsibility! Refer to page 21 of your learner guide for clearance issuer responsibilities.

Refer to pages 35-40 of the learner guide for information on the responsibilities of the permit receiver and endorser.

The Work Clearance Issuer normally issues the Work Clearance form. The clearance issuer (once they have completed this training) can perform the role of Permit Receiver and Permit Endorser. Neither of these roles are able to complete, issue or amend the Work Permit or High Risk Certificates. Only the Permit Officer is authorised to complete or amend the Work Permits or High Risk Certificates.