Students

CIVL8201 – Health and Safety in Construction

2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Rouzbeh Abbassi
rouzbeh.abbassi@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Should be set via email
Lecturer
Nima Golestani
nima.golestani@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Should be set via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
CIVL4401
Unit description Unit description

The objective of this unit is to develop comprehensive understanding on significant health and safety concerns and to apply various approaches for risk assessment and management in order to ensure safer construction projects. This encompasses the study of potential hazards at construction sites, the utilization of techniques for hazard identification, both qualitative and quantitative methods of risk assessment, strategies for risk control and management, impact analysis, safety principles at various design and construction stages (planning, commissioning, operation, decommissioning), the influence of human factors on construction safety, and the effective communication of health, safety, and risk management strategies. The unit also includes guest lectures by industry practitioners to delve into current health and safety practices and challenges encountered in the design and operation of diverse construction sites.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Good Health and Well Being; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Sustainable Cities and Communities

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Identify and assess the major work health, safety and welfare legislation in the construction projects
  • ULO2: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and quantitative risk identification methods in construction projects
  • ULO3: Review and improve risk management practices of civil engineering operations
  • ULO4: Develop and communicate safety and risk management strategies for safer construction projects
  • ULO5: Apply advanced techniques in analyzing and mitigating complex safety challenges in construction projects

General Assessment Information

In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).

For further details about grading, please refer below in the policies and procedures section.

In-class activities, or scheduled tests and exam must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide. Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration.

All other assessments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on their due date.

Assessments not submitted by the due date will receive a mark of zero.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled by the faculty during a supplementary exam period, typically about 3 to 4 weeks after the normal exam period. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Technical Literature Appraisal 20% No 10/10/2025
Team Project final report and presentation 50% No 07/11/2025
Final examination 30% No Exams Period

Technical Literature Appraisal

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 10/10/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

You will critically review a peer-reviewed journal article and evaluate the paper's objectives, methodology, key findings and relevance to industry practice. You will submit a reflection on the process and how it enhanced your understanding of the subject area.

 

 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and assess the major work health, safety and welfare legislation in the construction projects
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and quantitative risk identification methods in construction projects
  • Review and improve risk management practices of civil engineering operations

Team Project final report and presentation

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 07/11/2025
Weighting: 50%

 

You will work in a group on a designated project topic. You will present a completed report and respond to questions as part of the presentation. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and assess the major work health, safety and welfare legislation in the construction projects
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and quantitative 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
  • Apply advanced techniques in analyzing and mitigating complex safety challenges in construction projects

Final examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Exams Period
Weighting: 30%

 

Final examination to be held in exam period

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and assess the major work health, safety and welfare legislation in the construction projects
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and use of hazard and quantitative 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
  • Apply advanced techniques in analyzing and mitigating complex safety challenges in construction projects

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Teaching materials including lecture notes and slides provided by the instructor. Please refer to ILearn for further information. 

There is no tutorial session in Week 1. 

Unit Schedule

Please refer to ILearn. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Engineers Australia Competency Mapping

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EA Competency Standard

Unit Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Skill Base

1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.

 

1.2 Conceptual understanding of underpinning maths, analysis, statistics, computing.

#1, 2

1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge

#1

1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions

#3, #5

1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice

 

1.6 Understanding of scope, principles, norms, accountabilities of sustainable engineering practice.

 

Engineering Application Ability

2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex problem solving

#2

2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

 

2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.

#3, #5

2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.

#3, #5

Professional and Personal Attributes

3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.

#4

3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

#4

3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.

 

3.4 Professional use and management of information.

 

3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.

 

3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership

#4

Unit information based on version 2025.05 of the Handbook