Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:00 PM AWST
22/07/2026 10:00 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct an OHS audit
Conduct an OHS audit
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSOHS608A
PSPSOHS608A
State Code
C8366
C8366
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers conduct of an internal or external OHS audit that may or may not be part of certification against a recognised benchmark.In practice, conducting an OHS audit may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as promoting ethical practice, applying government systems, influencing opinion, fostering leadership, managing resources, managing compliance with legislation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan an OHS audit
- 1.1 The scope, objectives and benchmarks of the audit are defined.
- 1.2 Relevant documentation such as preliminary material on the operation of the organisation is identified and obtained.
- 1.3 Resources required to conduct the audit are identified and arranged.
- 1.4 Timing, schedule and responsibilities for the audit are assigned.
2 Develop an OHS audit plan
- 2.1 Nature of information and data collected provides valid and reliable evidence of the systematic approach to managing OHS and risk controls within the context of the organisation.
- 2.2 Sources of evidence include key personnel and stakeholders.
- 2.3 Information and data collection strategies address issues of security, confidentiality, impartiality and equity.
- 2.4 Information and data collection strategies include opportunities for corroborating evidence.
- 2.5 The audit plan is developed, documented and submitted to client.
- 2.6 The audit plan is modified as a result of client input and to adapt to contingencies.
3 Develop an OHS audit tool
- 3.1 Audit tool(s) accurately reflect the criteria of the benchmark, nature of risks and identified relevant information and data types.
- 3.2 Audit tools focus on evaluation of performance of the OHS management processes.
- 3.3 Audit tools can be used with consistent outcomes by all members of the audit team.
- 3.4 Audit tools enable collection of evidence in a timely and efficient manner.
- 3.5 Audit tools are modified as a result of preliminary trial/s.
4 Gather information, data and OHS records
- 4.1 A broad range of workplace personnel are consulted during evidence gathering activities throughout the audit.
- 4.2 Types and sources of evidence gathered are compared with the audit plan, and reasons for discrepancies are identified.
- 4.3 Alternative methods are identified and utilised when evidence is not forthcoming, using planned methods.
- 4.4 Information and data reliability is checked with a number of sources.
5 Undertake OHS audit activities
- 5.1 Preliminary evaluation is undertaken.
- 5.2 Audit plan is re-submitted to client for comment as appropriate.
- 5.3 Issues concerning the audit plan are negotiated with the client and documents amended where required.
- 5.4 Initial meetings and worksite familiarisation are undertaken.
- 5.5 Progress of the audit plan is monitored with the client and/or audit team members to ensure resources are being used as planned, and that the audit objectives and audit time lines are being achieved.
- 5.6 Records of evidence and findings are progressively documented in an appropriate format and retained.
- 5.7 Hazards identified during the audit are reported promptly to the appropriate person/s, including supervisor and/or person in control of the workplace.
- 5.8 Own health and safety is addressed during the audit in accordance with organisational requirements and standards for safe work practices.
- 5.9 Information and data collection and evaluation activities comply with legal requirements and are carried out ethically.
- 5.10 Exit meetings with key personnel and stakeholders are undertaken as appropriate.
6 Report on the outcomes of the OHS audit
- 6.1 Summary audit findings and recommendations are presented to the clients at the closing meeting, after consultation with key personnel and stakeholders.
- 6.2 Results of the evaluation are compared against the audit criteria.
- 6.3Objective evidence is presented with clear and concise findings, including benefits to be achieved by adoption of the audit report recommendations.
- 6.4 Where challenges to the report are anticipated, further explanations to promote acceptance are prepared.
- 6.5 Corrective action and follow-up processes are recommended to the client.
The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.
Benchmarks may include:
Australian or international standards
standards developed by OHS authorities
industry standards
standards developed internally by the organisation or by commercial organisations
Relevant documentation may include:
OHS legislation, codes of practice and guidance material
industry standards
organisational documents
Resources may include:
specialist personnel
equipment
Information and data collected may be in hard copy or electronic and may include:
management system documentation including policies and procedures, position descriptions and duty statements
operational documentation including completed forms, schedules, checklists, log books, minutes of meetings, action plans, maintenance reports and health surveillance records
claims, legal reports, complaints, hazard logs and incident and injury reports, enforcement notices and actions
reports and management reviews
previous management system reports and industry risk profiles
interviews with management, supervisors, work groups, employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including health and safety representatives, OHS committee members and design personnel and contractors, where appropriate
observations in the workplace, work operations and records
training materials and records
for surveillance audits, information and data should include changes since last audit such as new equipment, processes, products, substances or projects
A systemic approach to managing OHS involves:
a comprehensive set of processes that are combined in a methodical and ordered manner to minimise the risk of injury or ill health in the workplace; and for example may include:
processes of OHS planning
allocation of resources
communication and consultation
hazard management
record keeping and reporting
training and competency
and review and evaluation for ongoing OHS improvement
Key personnel and stakeholders may include:
management, persons in control of the workplace, supervisors
employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including health and safety representatives, OHS committee members, design personnel and, where appropriate, contractors
customers/clients
Audit plan includes:
scope of audit
personnel involved
time lines
meetings to be scheduled, people to be interviewed
locations to be inspected
information and data required to be on hand
sampling methodology including statistical measures
Audit tools:
are the instruments for collecting evidence and conducting the analysis and evaluation (they are not the same as the audit criteria or benchmarks) and may be:
developed specifically for the purpose
adapted from existing tools
purchased or accessed from existing tools
and include:
performance checklists
sets of questions to be asked
descriptions of required characteristics to be checked
limitations for and instructions for use
Alternative methods may involve:
interviewing
alternate sampling methodologies
discussion groups
surveys
observation
alternative information and data
modified audit checklists
how evidence deficiencies will be addressed
Preliminary evaluation may include:
off-site consultations
reviews of relevant organisational documentation, information and data
Audit closing meetings are:
usually conducted within an agreed period after the client has viewed the written report
Objective evidence may be defined as:
information and data obtained through observation, measurement, tests or other means
Follow-up processes usually comprise:
an agreed meeting date with the client organisation, following sufficient time for implementation of corrective actions; and may include:
checks of the rigour of original audit findings
verification of effectiveness of recommendations and control action/s, particularly in correction of non-compliance/s
provision of new non-conformance report/s if required
Benchmarks may include:
Australian or international standards
standards developed by OHS authorities
industry standards
standards developed internally by the organisation or by commercial organisations
Relevant documentation may include:
OHS legislation, codes of practice and guidance material
industry standards
organisational documents
Resources may include:
specialist personnel
equipment
Information and data collected may be in hard copy or electronic and may include:
management system documentation including policies and procedures, position descriptions and duty statements
operational documentation including completed forms, schedules, checklists, log books, minutes of meetings, action plans, maintenance reports and health surveillance records
claims, legal reports, complaints, hazard logs and incident and injury reports, enforcement notices and actions
reports and management reviews
previous management system reports and industry risk profiles
interviews with management, supervisors, work groups, employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including health and safety representatives, OHS committee members and design personnel and contractors, where appropriate
observations in the workplace, work operations and records
training materials and records
for surveillance audits, information and data should include changes since last audit such as new equipment, processes, products, substances or projects
A systemic approach to managing OHS involves:
a comprehensive set of processes that are combined in a methodical and ordered manner to minimise the risk of injury or ill health in the workplace; and for example may include:
processes of OHS planning
allocation of resources
communication and consultation
hazard management
record keeping and reporting
training and competency
and review and evaluation for ongoing OHS improvement
Key personnel and stakeholders may include:
management, persons in control of the workplace, supervisors
employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including health and safety representatives, OHS committee members, design personnel and, where appropriate, contractors
customers/clients
Audit plan includes:
scope of audit
personnel involved
time lines
meetings to be scheduled, people to be interviewed
locations to be inspected
information and data required to be on hand
sampling methodology including statistical measures
Audit tools:
are the instruments for collecting evidence and conducting the analysis and evaluation (they are not the same as the audit criteria or benchmarks) and may be:
developed specifically for the purpose
adapted from existing tools
purchased or accessed from existing tools
and include:
performance checklists
sets of questions to be asked
descriptions of required characteristics to be checked
limitations for and instructions for use
Alternative methods may involve:
interviewing
alternate sampling methodologies
discussion groups
surveys
observation
alternative information and data
modified audit checklists
how evidence deficiencies will be addressed
Preliminary evaluation may include:
off-site consultations
reviews of relevant organisational documentation, information and data
Audit closing meetings are:
usually conducted within an agreed period after the client has viewed the written report
Objective evidence may be defined as:
information and data obtained through observation, measurement, tests or other means
Follow-up processes usually comprise:
an agreed meeting date with the client organisation, following sufficient time for implementation of corrective actions; and may include:
checks of the rigour of original audit findings
verification of effectiveness of recommendations and control action/s, particularly in correction of non-compliance/s
provision of new non-conformance report/s if required
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service
PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion
PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPMNGT602B Manage resources
PSPMNGT611A Manage evaluations
PSPSOHS609A Evaluate an organisation's OHS performance
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
knowledge requirements of this unit
skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Resources required to carry out assessment
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to OHS audits
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when conducting an OHS audit.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when conducting an OHS audit, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
conduct of OHS audits in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time, with at least 1 audit having a broad scope.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
workplace projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
observation.
portfolios.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Units to be assessed together
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service
PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion
PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPMNGT602B Manage resources
PSPMNGT611A Manage evaluations
PSPSOHS609A Evaluate an organisation's OHS performance
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
knowledge requirements of this unit
skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Resources required to carry out assessment
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to OHS audits
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when conducting an OHS audit.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when conducting an OHS audit, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
conduct of OHS audits in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time, with at least 1 audit having a broad scope.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
workplace projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
observation.
portfolios.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J326 | PSP60612 | Advanced Diploma of Government (Occupational Health & Safety) | Qualification |