Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:59 AM AWST

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Identify hazards and assess OHS risks

Identify hazards and assess OHS risks

Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS403B
State Code
D0897
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/03/2009
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/03/2013
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
27/03/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify hazards and to assess occupational health and safety (OHS) risks in the workplace.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Investigate incidents for prevention
  • 1.1. Select and use appropriate techniques to investigate incidents
  • 1.2. Establish actions and events leading up to an incident, during an incident and through the post incident management phase
  • 1.3. Analyse incident to identify the hazard/s
  • 1.4. Analyse incident to identify intervention points to prevent re-occurrence
2. Access existing sources of information and data to identify hazards
  • 2.1. Review workplace sources of information and data to access information and data, and to assist in identifying hazards
  • 2.2. Access external sources of information and data as required
  • 2.3. Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and OHS specialists
3. Conduct hazard identification
  • 3.1. Seek formal and informal techniques and tools to identify hazards
  • 3.2. Select and modify a suitable technique/tool as appropriate to identify hazards
  • 3.3. Review hazard identification techniques and tools in consultation with workers in the area, and OHS specialists if required, to ensure they are suitably comprehensive
  • 3.4. Utilise techniques and tools and other appropriate hazard identification procedures to identify hazards
  • 3.5. Provide employees and their representatives with an opportunity to participate in workplace hazard identification
4. Assess risk
  • 4.1. Select and use a risk assessment tool to identify key factors contributing to risk
  • 4.2. Apply workplace sources of information and data to evaluate the effectiveness of risk controls
  • 4.3. Prioritise risks considering the severity and likelihood of the consequences
  • 4.4. Involve stakeholders and key personnel in risk assessment
  • 4.5. Document the method of risk assessment
5. Participate in implementation process
  • 5.1. Maintain a hazard register relevant to the workplace
  • 5.2. Identify the level of authority within the organisation to address the risk/s
  • 5.3. Document and communicate outcomes of hazard identification and risk assessments to key personnel and stakeholders
  • 5.4. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of own performance in identifying hazards and conducting risk assessments
examination of relevant information and data
inspections
interviews
simulations
timeline of actions and events
use of accident models

an event resulting in or having a potential for:
injury
ill health
damage
or loss

all actions and events that may have contributed to the occurrence or severity of the incident, including:
design decisions
systems
people
tools
equipment
materials
fixtures
time and nature of the injury

sources or situations with a potential for harm in terms of:
injury
ill health
damage to property
damage to the environment
or a combination of the above

audits
hazard, incident and investigation reports
incident investigations
legislation, standards, manufacturers' manuals and specifications available at the workplace
material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and registers
minutes of meetings
reports
workplace inspections

employer groups
industry bodies
OHS professional bodies
OHS specialists
Australian Standards
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
regulatory authorities (for other relevant legislation such as acts, regulations, codes of practice)
unions
websites, journals and newsletters

community
employees
health and safety, and other employee representatives
managers
OHS committees
supervisors

managers from other areas
people involved in OHS decision making or who are impacted by decisions

ergonomists
health professionals
injury management advisors
occupational hygienists

body mapping
hazard identification procedures based on checklists
interviews
MSDSs
workplace processes such as 'walk throughs', surveys and inspections

identifying employee concerns, such as through a hazard reporting system
input of managers, OHS representatives, OHS committee and others through consultative processes
job and work system analysis (JSA)
reviews of:
hazard and incident reports
investigations
OHS records
plant and equipment maintenance records
registers of hazardous substances and dangerous goods

checklists
matrix nomograms
codes of practice
standards
guidelines

a list of hazards
location of hazards
range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which hazards may cause injury or damage
results of a risk analysis related to the hazards

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

identification, analysis and evaluation of multiple workplace hazards using appropriate techniques an tools in a workplace
knowledge of relevant state/territory and commonwealth OHS legislation, codes of practice and standards.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to an actual or simulated workplace
access to office equipment and resources
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
access to relevant OHS documentation and records.

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:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
demonstration of techniques used to identify, analyse and evaluate OHS hazards and risks
demonstration of the application of OHS legislation in conducting hazard identification and risk management activities
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of concepts of risks, factors that affect risk and difference between a hazard and a risk
review of techniques/tools used to identify hazards
evaluation of a risk assessment tools selected and used to identify key factors contributing to risk
review of risk prioritisation
review of hazard register.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C7791 BSBOHS403A Identify hazards and assess OHS risks Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WE726 BSBWHS404A Contribute to WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control Unit of competency