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WHS Knowledge Base Restructured — Built for Construction Safety Professionals

· 2 min read
SAIYU
SAIYU
Construction Team

The WHS Knowledge Base has been rebuilt from the ground up — updated content, and a structure that matches how construction safety professionals actually work on site.

Why We Restructured​

The previous framework was organised around legal duty-holder categories — PCBUs, Officers, Workers, Consultation — mirroring the layout of the WHS legislation itself. While accurate, this structure made it difficult to find what you needed in the field. If you were managing a welding operation or dealing with a silica dust concern, navigating through duty-holder definitions to find practical guidance wasn't useful.

The content was also becoming outdated. Rather than patching the old structure, we took the opportunity to rebuild it around the hazards and activities that construction safety professionals encounter day to day.

What's New — 8 Sections, Task-Oriented​

01 - Foundations​

The cross-cutting layer that underpins everything else — the 4-step risk management process, WHS consultation and coordination obligations, workplace environment and facilities requirements, first aid, and a glossary of key WHS terms and definitions.

02 - Construction Work​

Site-level application of WHS duties — HRCW thresholds, Safe Work Method Statements, principal contractor obligations, safe design of structures, demolition, excavation, and fall risks specific to housing construction.

03 - Falls and Heights​

Managing fall risks in non-housing contexts — multi-storey construction, maintenance work, and any situation where the 2-metre trigger applies outside the housing-specific rules.

04 - Plant and Electrical​

Plant registration, inspection cycles, operator competency requirements, and electrical risk management including testing and tagging obligations.

05 - Hot Work and Coatings​

Practical guidance for welding processes, abrasive blasting, and spray painting and powder coating — covering ventilation, PPE, fire risk, and health monitoring requirements.

06 - Hazardous Chemicals​

SDS management, labelling obligations under GHS, and risk controls for storing, handling, and disposing of hazardous chemicals on site.

07 - Dust and Asbestos​

Asbestos management plans, licensed removal requirements, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) controls, and air monitoring obligations for high-risk dust work.

08 - Manual Tasks, Noise & Confined Spaces​

Hazardous manual task identification and risk controls, noise exposure limits and hearing conservation programs, and confined space entry permit procedures including atmospheric testing and rescue planning.

SAIYU — Internal Documentation Update, 28 April 2026