Elements and Performance Criteria

Which hazards may be relevant to this unit?
Hazards in the workplace (e.g., uneven surfaces, confined spaces, heights), hazardous manual handling tasks, hazards associated with machinery, risks associated with plants and animals, risks associated with bystanders, plants, animal and the environment, levels of health and fitness, hazards for which personal protective clothing or equipment is required.

What methods to control risks may be included?
General duty of care, requirements for maintenance and confidentiality of records of occupational injury and disease, requirements for records relating to hazardous substances in the workplace, confined space entry, fall protection, workplace inspections for hazards, personal protective equipment, provision of information and induction and training, regulations and Codes of Practice including those relating to plant, hazardous substances, manual handling, noise, issue resolution, health and safety representatives and occupational health and safety committees in the larger enterprises.

What may be included to implement and monitor enterprise procedures?
Supervision of the application of occupational health and safety principles and conformity with relevant legislation and Codes of Practice in each state, incident investigations, regular inspections, training records, accident and dangerous occurrence record analysis including the duties and responsibilities of all parties.

What does hierarchy of control refer to?
The preferred order of risk control measures.

What protocols may be involved in reporting a major incident?
Supervisor, enterprise, Workcover or appropriate authorities may establish reporting protocols.

What may be included in effective control action?
The communication of the location, incident investigations, and directions to emergency personnel.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Hazards in the workplace.
Relevant OHS legislation and Codes of Practice.
Risk control measures.
The hierarchy of OHS risk control and its implementation for hazards in land-based industries.
Literacy levels and communication skills of workers.
Suitable communication techniques.
Relevant enterprise management systems and procedures.
Accident/incident investigation.
Participative work practices.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

Provide information to the work group about occupational health and safety.
Facilitate the participation of workers in OHS observance and decision-making.
Identify OHS hazards and controls relative to work practices and processes in work area.
Respond to OHS hazard identification in an appropriate and timely manner.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information
There is

What processes should be applied to this competency standard? There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Provide regular updates on outcomes of risk assessment and control procedures. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
With hazard audits in the workplace, implementing relevant OHS procedures, analysis of accident/incident records, and providing accessible information on enterprise OHS policies, procedures and programs. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By organising meetings to provide updates, and running OHS committee meetings. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By consulting with staff on OHS implementation issues. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By collecting and recording OHS related data/statistics. (2)

Solving problems
By determining best possible options to reduce injury risk and identify training needs. (2)

Using technology
By using word processor/email for communications. (2)