Starting your first construction job? Safety is not optional — it is the foundation of everything on site. Here is what every new worker needs to know before they step through the gate.
The Basics: Your PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory on every construction site in Australia. At minimum, you will need:
- Hard hat (AS/NZS 1801 compliant)
- High-visibility vest or shirt (Class D/N as required)
- Steel-cap boots (AS/NZS 2210.3)
- Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1)
- Gloves (task-appropriate)
- Long pants (no shorts on most sites)
Some sites will require additional PPE like hearing protection, dust masks, or fall arrest harnesses depending on the work.
Site Induction
Before you start work on any site, you must complete a site-specific induction. This covers:
- Emergency procedures and muster points
- Site-specific hazards
- Traffic management plans
- Exclusion zones
- Reporting procedures for incidents and near-misses
Never skip induction. Even if you have been on a hundred sites before, every site is different.
The Golden Rules
1. If You Are Not Sure, Ask
No one expects you to know everything on your first day. Asking a question could save your life.
2. Never Work at Heights Without Protection
Falls from height are the number one killer in construction. If you are working above 2 metres, you need either guardrails, scaffolding, or a harness.
3. Report Hazards Immediately
See something unsafe? Report it. Every site has a hazard reporting process — use it.
4. No Drugs or Alcohol
Zero tolerance. Most sites conduct random drug and alcohol testing. Failing a test means immediate removal from site.
5. Follow the SWMS
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) outline how high-risk work should be done. Read them, understand them, follow them.
What To Do If Something Goes Wrong
- Minor injury: Report to your supervisor and complete a first aid register entry
- Serious injury: Call 000, notify your supervisor, do not move the injured person unless they are in danger
- Near miss: Report it — near misses are how we prevent actual incidents
Start Your Career Safely
At HBG, safety is not just a policy — it is part of our induction process. Every worker who registers with us receives safety training as part of their onboarding.
Ready to start? Register at harrisonbarratt.com.au.