Work Health and Safety

Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety - BSB41419

About the course

This qualification is a 10-day program delivered face-to-face or online (live and real-time). Students can join from any location, provided they meet the technology requirements.

In this program, activities & assessments are completed in the classroom (real or electronic) with trainer support. We understand students have busy work and personal lives, so we focus on completing the work during the course with limited out-of-classroom work required.

The course is completed in 2 x 5-day blocks and the full qualification can be completed in under a month, or over a year.

Our focus is the outcome - ensuring students complete their qualification and they are equipped with real-world knowledge & skills - all the while enjoying the learning process in an engaging & supportive classroom environment.

The course has been developed with flexibility in mind with one unit of competency delivered each day (10 units of competency over 10 days). For example, a student who missed Session 1 Day 4 due to illness, can attend a make-up day on another Session 1 Day 4 course. Or a student completes Session 1 in February - instead of joining Session 2 in March, their work schedule means they join Session 2 in July.

The units selected for the qualification are based on industry consultation - ensuring our students attain the skills most commonly required of a safety professional. This includes the 'Rehabilitation and Return to Work' unit of competency - giving students the ability to be a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (RRTWC) as well as a safety professional. It also includes contractor management, continuous improvement, WHS implementation & monitoring and facility emergency procedures and preparedness.

WorkSafe Connect has delivered client-specific programs for University of Queensland, Amazon, Queensland Rail, FKG and Brisbane City Council. For client-only courses, we aim to contextualise the program to the students’ workplace as much as possible. Our Trainer will contact the employer to conduct a pre-course briefing – ensuring client objectives are understood and the outcomes being sought are achieved. We also recommend that a client supplies their own policies and procedures ahead of time so the Trainer can use these during the program instead of the generic templates.

WorkSafe Connect has been delivering this program for over 10 years. We deliver the full qualification program at least four times a year at both our Brisbane and Townsville facilities as well as online (virtual real-time trainer-led over Zoom).

Who Should Attend

This qualification is a pathway to a safety career - including roles such as a safety advisor, safety officer, safety professional and a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator.
In the course, students gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to undertake responsibility for safety in the workplace.
This qualification is typically considered the minimum entry point for anyone pursuing a career in work health & safety (WHS).
This qualification is also a natural pathway for those who are already a HSR (Health & Safety Representative) and want to progress their safety career.
The qualification is national given the harmonisation of WHS laws (note, the only jurisdiction within Australia that has not implemented the model WHS legislation is Victoria).

Online Delivery:

Given the option to complete the course online via Zoom - with assessments completed via our online Learner Portal (with assessments marked in real-time by the trainer) - this online course is suitable for students who have at least a basic level of computer literacy. Students will need to complete a brief ‘online course suitability test’ via our Learner Portal to ensure their suitability (which includes the use of Zoom and the ability to navigate a web browser and multiple tabs).

Upcoming Date Summary

Course Description

Key Topics

This qualification is offered via a ten (10) day delivery program consisting of two five (5) day sessions.

The key areas covered by this course include:

Identifying, interpreting and applying WHS Legislation with the inclusion of Australian Standards, Codes and Guidelines
Risk assessment and hazard control
WHS management systems
WHS consultation and participation processes
Continuous improvement processes
Incident response procedures and assisting in incident investigations
Emergency preparedness and response systems
Managing WHS implications of return to work
Managing claims and implementing rehabilitation / return-to-work programs
Establishing, reviewing and evaluating WHS measures and initiatives

Session Details:

Core – Session 1 – 5 days
BSBWHS412 - Assist with workplace compliance with WHS laws
BSBWHS413 - Contribute to implementation and maintenance of WHS consultation and participation processes
BSBWHS414 - Contribute to WHS risk management
BSBWHS415 – Contribute to implementing WHS management system
BSBWHS416 – Contribute to workplace incident response
Electives – Session 2 – 5 days
BSBWHS418 – Assist with managing WHS compliance of contractors
BSBWHS417 – Assist with managing WHS implications of return to work
PUAFER002 – Ensure facility emergency prevention procedures, systems and processes are implemented
BSBSTR402 – Implement continuous improvement
BSBWHS419 – Contribute to implementing WHS monitoring processes

The two sessions are typically at least one month apart. Students should complete the sessions sequentially (i.e., session 1 prior to session 2), however the program allows the student to attend a later session 2 (e.g., in 6 months) if that better suits their work / personal commitments.

Students need to complete the program within 12 months.

Course Assessments & Activities

All assessments in this course are open book and students will have access to all learning materials such as legislation & codes of practice.

While the majority of assessments are completed during the 10 days of training, there are three minimal workplace activities (consultation; review a procedure; incident investigation) for the students to complete between the two sessions in either a real or simulated workplace).

Each student will be provided with a workbook to record these workplace activities and the detail will be discussed during the first session of the program.

Course Delivery Options

Training will be conducted by one of our experienced trainer assessors who have WHS industry currency, strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and industry standards. There is direct Trainer support throughout the program (either in the classroom, or via email / phone outside the classroom).

WorkSafe Connect offers this course in the following formats:

Face to Face (In person)

Public Courses (Brisbane and Townsville)
Client Only Courses (at your site / workplace for a group of students)

Virtual (Online, Real Time, Live Video, Instructor-Led Training via Zoom)

Public Courses
Client Only Courses (for a group of students at a time of your choosing)

If you would like to discuss delivery options, please get in contact with a member of the WorkSafe Connect team. We would be more than happy to discuss and provide flexible options that best meet your requirements.

Accreditation

Successful students will receive a certificate for BSB41419 - Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety accompanied by a transcript of units of competency.

To achieve the qualification, students must:

Successfully complete the classroom assessments and activities
Complete the workbook activities and provide the supporting evidence
Provide a completed skills and experience form outlining any previous experience in the health and safety area.

WHSO Certification

Upon successful completion application can be made to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) for a Work Health and Safety Officer (WHSO) certificate.

Additional information is available from WHSQ by clicking here.

Course Entry Requirements

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE FORM

There are no formal pre-requisites units to undertake this qualification although the completion of Year 10 is strongly recommended.

Due to the intensive delivery format of this program, it is important that students have a general understanding of safety in the workplace. As such, these are the entry requirements for this course:

Students are currently employed, or have previously worked, within a workplace environment; and
Have had some exposure to workplace safety requirements within their role.
It is also preferrable, but not mandatory, that a student has previously completed formal safety training.
It is recommended students have solid computer literacy skills as well as comprehension and analytical skills.

Before enrolment can be confirmed, you are required to complete and return a Skills and Experience Form (click here) for your eligibility to be assessed.

In undertaking this course, it is advisable students have access to a workplace in order to contextualise and complete any workplace-based activities. Alternative arrangements can be made for those in between work or without access to a workplace through the provision of simulated activities.

COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

For students completing the Online course, you must have a basic level of computer skills - this ensures the course runs to time and the focus is on the course content rather than computer skills training.

To be eligible to attend a virtual course, you must complete a short assessment via our online Learner Portal at least 1 day prior to course commencement.

The assessment covers hardware and software setup as well as providing a basic understanding of Zoom and Learner Portal navigation.

Any student who has not successfully completed this 'Online Course Suitability Test' by course commencement will not be admitted to the course.

If you book and pay for the course via our website and it is determined you are not suitable for the virtual course delivery, you will be offered the face-to

What to Bring

All resources are supplied.

For face-to-face courses, it is recommended that students with access to a laptop bring this to the sessions as activities and assessments can be completed electronically. WorkSafe Connect also has Chromebooks available for use. If preferred, students can elect to use paper-based assessments and resources.

We are happy to work with each student to decide which format is most suitable.

Please also ensure you bring your USI (unique student identifier) number with you – click here for more information about USI’s.

Amenities at our Brisbane and Townsville Facilities

Parking available on-site or nearby
Complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits, and mints
Fridge and microwave available for use
Cafés and food options located nearby for breaks

What is involved in Online (Live Video Led) Delivery?

WorkSafe Connect’s Online Training is live, real-time trainer-led delivered in an interactive online environment.

Our online training is the same great learning experience that our face-to-face training is known for, just delivered differently. By way of overview of what our online training involves:

They are real-time video-led sessions where our trainer presents to the group and guides the students through the activities and assessments.
It is delivered via the Zoom or Microsoft Teams platform, which allows students to interact with the other students as well as the trainer (including break out rooms for group discussions).
Students complete their assessments and activities via our online web-based Learner Portal. The trainer marks the assessments throughout the session and assists students who need to reattempt questions that were incorrect.
In order to complete the virtual session, students need to have access to a computer or laptop (not a tablet), webcam, headphones and reliable internet.
Students complete the course requirements during the session and are issued their certificate soon after if they successfully completed their assessments.

Many participants have commented that they actually prefer this delivery method to traditional face-to-face as we limit our class sizes and there are numerous ways in which to interact within the session.

To participate, participants are required to be connected to the internet via desktop computer or a laptop device with a camera, microphone and headphones. Please see the Course Delivery section for full details of what you require.

If you would like to discuss delivery options in more detail, then please get in contact with us and we would be more than happy to discuss your requirements and options with you.

What is the WHS Cert IV qualification?

This program enables participates to gain a qualification in BSB41419 - Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

It is designed to give students practical knowledge and skills to enable the provision of valid and timely WHS advice and assist with improving safety in the workplace.

The course covers a broad range of health and safety functions and responsibilities in the workplace including identifying hazards, assessing WHS risks, implementing strategies to control WHS risks and evaluating an organisation’s WHS performance.

What roles can I do with a Cert IV WHS qualification?

WorkSafe Connect's Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety (BSB41419) provides a pathway to a safety career - including as a safety advisor, safety officer, safety professional and a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator.

The units selected for the qualification was based on industry consultation - ensuring our students attained the skills most commonly required of a safety professional. This includes the 'Rehabilitation and Return to Work (RRTW)' unit of competency as well as contractor management, fostering continuous improvement, WHS implementation & monitoring and facility emergency procedures and preparedness.

Does the Cert IV WHS qualification allow me to be a WHSO?

What is a WHS Certificate?

This generally refers to a Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety (BSB41419) qualification or a WHSO certificate (Work Health & Safety Officer).

Where possible, we recommend students complete a Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety qualification - this means they have an accreditation to support their safety career and also allows them to apply to WHSQ to get their WHSO certification (click here for more details).

Is WHS a good career?

How do I become a Work Health & Safety Officer (WHSO)?

From the 1 July 2018, a person appointed as a WHSO by a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to undertake training and receive a WHSO Certificate of Authority issued on behalf of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) or have an equivalent qualification.

There are two ways to become an accredited WHSO:

Complete the WHSO training course developed by WHSQ. Registered training organisations (RTOs) are authorised by WHSQ to deliver this training and can issue certificates of authority to people who successfully complete the course. The course program varies in duration (from 6 to 8 days) depending on the elective chosen. See our WHSO course page for further information (click here).
Complete a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (BSB41419) or equivalent or higher level tertiary qualification. Students may then apply for a WHSO certificate of authority from WHSQ using their BSB41419 certification. Applications must be submitted directly to WHSQ.