Program Overview

Introduction to CIVL4401 Health and Safety in Construction

CIVL4401 Health and Safety in Construction is a unit offered by Macquarie University, focusing on major health and safety issues in construction projects. The objective of this unit is to examine these issues and apply various methods of risk assessment and management to ensure safer construction projects.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Lecturer Rouzbeh Abbassi and Lecturer Nima Golestani.
• Credit Points: 10.
• Prerequisites: 210cp at 1000 level or above and (CIVL1001 or MECH1001).
• Corequisites: None.
• Co-badged Status: CIVL8201.
• Unit Description: This unit aims to study different hazards at construction sites, use of hazard identification techniques, methods of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment, methods of risk control and management, impact analysis, principles for safety in different stages of design and construction, human factors in construction safety, and effective communication of health, safety, and risk management strategies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Identify and assess the major work health, safety, and welfare legislation in construction projects.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and risk identification methods in construction projects.
• Review and improve risk management practices of civil engineering operations.
• Develop and communicate safety and risk management strategies for safer construction projects.

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit, a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more. Assessments include in-class activities, scheduled tests, exams, and other assignments. All assessments must be submitted by the due date, and late submissions will receive a mark of zero unless special consideration is approved.

Assessment Tasks

• Technical Literature Appraisal (20%): Critically review a peer-reviewed journal article and evaluate its objectives, methodology, key findings, and relevance to industry practice.
• Team Project Final Report and Presentation (50%): Work in a group on a designated project topic, present a completed report, and respond to questions.
• Final Examination (30%): A final exam to be held during the exam period.

Delivery and Resources

Teaching materials, including lecture notes and slides, are provided by the instructor through ILearn. There are no tutorial sessions in Week 1.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the Academic Appeals Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Progression Policy, Assessment Policy, and Special Consideration Policy, among others.

Student Support

The university offers a range of support services, including academic skills development, wellbeing consultations, IT support, accessibility and disability support, mental health support, and social support.

Engineers Australia Competency Mapping

The unit learning outcomes are mapped against the Engineers Australia Competency Standards, covering knowledge and skill base, engineering application ability, and professional and personal attributes.