Health and safety (WHS)
WHS Act, SWMS, HRCW, PPE, state regulators.
WHS compliance on a residential site is a principal contractor obligation, not a subcontractor's problem that gets managed by hope. This pillar covers the WHS Act 2011 and model WHS Regulations, Safe Work Method Statements for high-risk construction work, induction requirements, site-specific safety plans, and the duty-of-care chain that runs from the principal contractor through to the independent trade. Articles reference the Code of Practice for Construction Work and the HRCW categories that trigger a mandatory SWMS.
It is for builders who are the principal contractor on residential projects, and for sole traders who need to know what their own documentation obligations are as a PCBU. Coverage includes fall prevention under the Work at Height code, confined space entry, asbestos identification obligations on pre-1990 structures, and what the state WHS regulators (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe VIC, WHSQ) actually inspect during a proactive visit.
Chalkline does not reproduce the codes verbatim. The articles explain what the requirement means on a typical residential site, what documentation you need on the day, and what the penalty range looks like for the most common breaches. Practical, not academic.
Concept
- concept 10 May 2026Confined spaces in residential construction When a sub-floor or water tank is a confined space, what triggers an entry permit, atmospheric thresholds under AS 2865, and rescue requirements on a residential build.
- concept 10 May 2026PPE basics for residential construction PPE is the last line of defence on a residential build. Know what the PCBU must provide, the relevant AS/NZS standards, and which task triggers which kit.
Process
- process 10 May 2026Asbestos identification on residential renos Asbestos identification on residential renovations. Full process guide: presumption rule, competent persons, NATA sampling, and removal licensing.
- process 7 May 2026Asbestos identification on residential renos How to identify asbestos-containing materials on pre-1990 residential renos. Covers the presumption rule, competent persons, NATA sampling, and licensing.
- process 10 May 2026Asbestos legal removal pathways Looking for asbestos legal removal pathways in Australia? The full Class A, Class B and 10m2 rule guide is at asbestos-removal-pathways.
- process 7 May 2026Asbestos removal: legal pathways for residential builders Licensed vs unlicensed asbestos removal in Australia. Class A covers friable, Class B covers non-friable over 10m². ACT requires a licence for any removal.
- process 10 May 2026Notifiable incidents: reporting procedure under the WHS Act How to report a notifiable incident under the WHS Act: phone your state regulator immediately, preserve the scene, submit written notice within 48 hours. Regulator number
- process 10 May 2026Silica dust controls on residential construction sites Engineered stone banned July 2024. WES for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05 mg/m3 (8-hr TWA). Controls hierarchy, SWMS, RPE selection, and health monitoring.
- process 15 May 2026Site induction procedure Site induction for workers, subbies, visitors: verify white card, brief on site hazards, explain emergency procedures, capture signed acknowledgement.
- process 10 May 2026Site sign-on registers for residential builders Site sign-on registers for Australian residential builders: who must sign on, what to record, white card verification, toolbox link, and digital vs paper options.
- process 10 May 2026SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) Everything you need to know about SWMS in Australian residential construction. When it's required, what goes in it, and how to write a compliant one.
- process 7 May 2026SWMS: When it's required and how to write one SWMS is legally required before any high-risk construction work starts in Australia. Find out exactly which 18 activities trigger it and what a valid one contains.
- process 10 May 2026Toolbox talks: consultation obligations for residential builders What toolbox talks must cover, how to run them, who attends, and what records to keep to satisfy WHS Act ss 47-49 consultation duties on a construction site.
- process 15 May 2026White card verification procedure Verify the worker's white card (CPCWHS1001) at site entry. Visual check, record card number, refuse construction work without one. 2-year lapse rule applies.
Regulation
- regulation 10 May 2026First aid requirements for residential construction sites First aid on Australian construction sites: first aider ratios, kit contents, first aid room thresholds, and HLTAID011 qualification rules under WHS Regulations s 42.
- regulation 10 May 2026High-Risk Construction Work list (HRCW) The full HRCW list for Australian builders: 18 categories under WHS Regulation 291. See which activities require a SWMS before work starts.
- regulation 7 May 2026HRCW: The 18 High-Risk Construction Work categories The complete list of 18 High-Risk Construction Work categories under WHS Regulation 291. Know which activities require a SWMS before work starts in Australia.
- regulation 10 May 2026Manual handling on residential sites Manual handling on residential sites is covered fully at Chalkline. See our complete guide to WHS Reg 60 duties, controls, and common site hazards.
- regulation 8 May 2026Manual handling on residential sites: WHS Regulations Part 4.2 Manual handling injuries are the most common serious claim on Australian sites. Know reg 60 duties, the risk control hierarchy, and rules for boards, bricks and slabs.
- regulation 10 May 2026SafeWork NSW: what the regulator does and how it affects your site SafeWork NSW enforces the WHS Act 2011 in NSW. Learn about inspector powers, improvement notices, prohibition notices, notifiable incidents, and licence checks.
- regulation 10 May 2026WHS Act overview for residential builders PCBU duties, officer due diligence, worker obligations, notifiable incidents, and penalties under the Australian WHS Act. Covers harmonised and non-harmonised states.
- regulation 8 May 2026WHS duties when engaging subcontractors PCBU duties when engaging subcontractors: consultation, SWMS collection, site induction, and principal contractor obligations for Australian builders.
- regulation 10 May 2026WHS for engaging subcontractors See the full article on WHS duties when engaging subcontractors: PCBU duties, SWMS, site inductions, and principal contractor rules for Australian builders.
- regulation 10 May 2026WorkSafe Queensland: what builders need to know WorkSafe Queensland (WHSQ) enforces the WHS Act 2011 on QLD sites. Covers notifiable incidents, improvement notices, principal contractor duties, and the ESO.
- regulation 10 May 2026WorkSafe Victoria: OHS Act 2004 explained for builders WorkSafe Victoria enforces the OHS Act 2004, not the WHS Act. Know your duties under s21, what must be notified, and how inspectors enforce on Victorian sites.
- regulation 10 May 2026WorkSafe WA: what the WHS Act 2020 means for builders in Western Australia WorkSafe WA enforces the WHS Act 2020 from 31 March 2022. Know your duties: notifiable incidents, improvement notices, industrial manslaughter, and licence checks.