Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:06 AM AWST

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Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents

Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents

Unit of competency
National Code
BSBWHS515
State Code
OBA94
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
30/08/2019
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/12/2019
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
13/12/2019
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead the initial response to work health and safety (WHS) incidents. The unit also includes planning, conducting and reporting on investigations of WHS incidents that have resulted in, or have the potential to result in, injury or damage. This may include accessing specialist expertise.The unit applies to those who work in a range of WHS roles across all industries, and apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills in a wide variety of WHS contexts. It does not apply to those undertaking an investigation in order to provide legal advice or prepare for legal proceedings. NOTES1. The terms ‘occupational health and safety’ (OHS) and ‘work health and safety’ (WHS) are equivalent, and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where model WHS laws have not been implemented, registered training organisations (RTOs) are advised to contextualise this unit of competency by referring to existing WHS legislative requirements.2. The model WHS laws include the model WHS Act, model WHS Regulations and model WHS Codes of Practice. See Safe Work Australia for further information.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Lead the initial response to incident
  • 1.1 Identify required initial response to incident according to established organisational response plan
  • 1.2 Implement initial response according to plan, and organisational and legislative requirements
  • 1.3 Confirm sufficiency and suitability of implemented initial response
  • 1.4 Consult individuals and/or parties according to organisational policies and procedures
2. Develop and resource an incident investigation plan
  • 2.1 Identify duty holders according to WHS laws and workplace policies, procedures and systems
  • 2.2 Define scope and purpose of investigation appropriate to nature and scope of incident
  • 2.3 Identify, document and secure required human and other resources appropriate to nature and scope of incident, including expert advice as required
  • 2.4 Ensure participation of, and consultation with, required stakeholders, and determine agreed processes for investigation
  • 2.5 Identify, address and document potential barriers to investigation according to organisational requirements
  • 2.6 Document incident investigation plan according to organisational and WHS legislative requirements
3. Collect incident information and data
  • 3.1 Identify and access relevant and reliable sources of incident information and data according to organisational policies and protocols, suitable causation model and legislative requirements
  • 3.2 Inspect incident site, equipment and other evidence according to investigation plan, organisational procedures and legislative requirements
  • 3.3 Present collected information and data in required format
4. Lead an incident investigation that is not part of providing legal advice or preparing for legal proceedings
  • 4.1 Brief investigation team on investigation requirements and incident causation model
  • 4.2 Construct and document timeline of events leading up to incident
  • 4.3 Coordinate investigation of key events, conditions and/or circumstances that contributed to incident
  • 4.4 Develop recommendations, interventions and practical measures for investigation report
5. Record and report WHS incident investigation
  • 5.1 Document investigation evidence and basis for conclusions and recommendations
  • 5.2 Prepare investigation report according to organisational procedures and WHS legislative requirements
  • 5.3 Implement organisational and WHS legislative recordkeeping protocols and procedures in relation to investigation report
  • 5.4 Communicate report to required individuals and/or parties according to organisational policies and procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AUK76 BSBWHS505 Investigate WHS incidents Unit of competency