From 1 January 2012 the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) has effect in the A.C.T., replacing the Work Safety Act 2008. The commencement of the WHS Act signals a new era for workplace arrangements across Australia, with the requirement for general construction induction applying in all States and Territories.  The Act places a duty on all employers, irrespective of size, to provide workers with appropriate information, instruction, training or supervision to ensure that workers can carry out their work safely.
 
The Construction industry involves people working in a dynamic and ever changing environment.   Hazards and risks change frequently on a site as construction work progresses and as workers move from project to project.

A large majority of the industry’s workforce are employed as sub-contractors who undertake work on many different sites managed by different contractors, and often within different sectors of the industry.

The instruction and training required to ensure people can work safely on a construction site needs to recognise the pattern of employment and the way the construction industry operates.

The WHS Regulation requires that all persons who carry out construction work must complete general construction induction training before they are carry out construction work on the site.

More detailed information on General Construction Induction can be found on the WorkSafe A.C.T. website.