Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

WHS legislation may include:
WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
components of Acts and regulations, such as:
dangerous goods
environmental protection
equal opportunity and antidiscrimination
industrial relations
privacy
workers’ compensation.
WHS policies, procedures, programs and legislative requirements may include:
consultative arrangements for workers in the work area
emergency plan and procedures
first aid provision, and medical practitioner contact and attention
hazard reporting procedures
incident investigation
plant and equipment maintenance and use
procedures for hazard identification
procedures for risk assessment, and the selection and implementation of risk control measures
purchasing policy and procedures
safe operating procedures and instructions
site access and egress
transport and storage of dangerous goods
use and care of personal protective equipment
use and storage of hazardous substances
WHS arrangements for on-site contractors, visitors and members of the public
WHS audits and safety inspections.
Individuals and parties may include:
contractors and subcontractors
customers
persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace
WHS entry permit holders
WHS inspectors
WHS regulators.
Methods for identifying hazards and risk assessment include:
as specified in WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
checking equipment before and during work
consulting work team members
housekeeping
reviewing records, for example:
equipment maintenance
hazardous chemicals, including labels and safety data sheet (SDS) register, and dangerous goods storage list
injury
training plan
workplace inspections in area of responsibility.
Organisational consultative procedures may include:
attendance of health and safety representatives at management meetings
counselling and disciplinary processes
early response to worker suggestions, requests, reports and concerns put forward to management
formal and informal meetings
health and safety committees
other committees, for example planning and purchasing.
WHS training needs may include:
coaching, mentoring and/or supervision
formal and informal learning programs
internal and external training programs
personal study.
Coaching and mentoring assistance may include:
explaining and clarifying
presenting and promoting a safe workplace
problem solving
providing encouragement
providing feedback to another team member
respecting the contribution of all participants and giving credit for achievements.
Hazards in the work area may include:
anything that has the potential to cause harm
as specified in WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
blocked exits
ergonomically unsuitable workstations and task design, for example:
repetitive work
poor lighting or glary surfaces
nonadjustable work surfaces and seating
internal or external threat of occupational violence or bullying
lack of adequate storage
reliance on low order control measure (such as personal protective equipment) to reduce worker risk exposure, instead of controlling the hazard itself
slippery and uneven floors
unguarded and poorly maintained machinery and equipment
unlabelled chemicals and substances
untidy or noisy work areas.
Procedures to control risks may include actions, such as:
as specified in WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice
application of the hierarchy of control, namely:
eliminate the risk
reduce or minimise the risk through:
engineering controls
administrative controls
personal protective equipment
regular consultation with workers.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:

implementing organisational management systems and WHS procedures in own work area
understanding of and meeting WHS legal and organisational requirements as they apply to own work area and job role
knowledge of procedures for identifying hazards in the work area
knowledge of procedures for assessing and controlling risks to health and safety associated with those hazards according to organisational WHS procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:

safety processes relevant to the area of work
relevant information and documentation on compliance requirements, such as:
organisational policies and procedures, standard operating procedures and plans
relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, licensing requirements and standards
relevant internal and external information
appropriate office equipment and resources used in the identification and rectification of WHS compliance breaches.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
review of documents on WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards, policies and procedures developed and communicated to workers
analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
demonstration of applying WHS legislation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of research and data-collection methods to obtain evidence of compliance with WHS legislation
assessment of duty of care arrangements.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.