Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:58 AM AWST
23/07/2026 4:58 AM 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.
Establish and maintain an OHS system
Establish and maintain an OHS system
Unit of competency
National Code
SITXOHS005A
SITXOHS005A
State Code
S6735
S6735
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/12/2010
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
03/12/2010
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and sustain effective, professional and contemporary OHS management practices. It focuses on the establishment and review of systems, policies and procedures designed to ensure a safe workplace.A systematic management approach is central to compliance with OHS legislation which, in all Australian States and Territories, imposes obligations on businesses whether small, medium or large to manage the safety of their workers and anyone else in the workplace. No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.This unit is one of three hierarchical units describing varying levels of participation in OHS management practices:SITXOHS001B Follow health, safety and security proceduresSITXOHS004B Implement and monitor workplace health, safety and security practicesSITXOHS005A Establish and maintain an OHS system.The processes necessary to control specific workplace safety risks are covered in:SITXOHS003B Identify hazards, and assess and control safety risks.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Establish and maintain a framework for health, safety and security.
- 1.1 Access and interpret key legislative documents to ensure that OHS systems comply with regulatory requirements, standards and codes.
- 1.2 Design an OHS management system to suit the characteristics and needs of the organisation, in consultation with appropriate personnel.
- 1.3 Identify and provide adequate financial, human and specialist external resources to address OHS management practices.
- 1.4 Develop and clearly articulate OHS policies and procedures in a format readily accessible to all personnel.
- 1.5 Define and allocate health, safety and security responsibilities clearly, including relevant information in job descriptions and duty statements.
- 1.6 Consult with key personnel, and determine, develop and implement a plan for all OHS training requirements.
- 1.7 Establish and monitor a system for keeping OHS records.
- 1.8 Establish and maintain systems to ensure communication of information to personnel, including information on policies, procedures and their roles and responsibilities in OHS management practices.
2 Establish and maintain consultative arrangements for the management of health, safety and security.
- 2.1 Establish and maintain appropriate consultative processes to suit the characteristics and needs of the organisation.
- 2.2 Plan for and ensure that consultation is conducted attimes designated and required by legislation.
- 2.3 Resolve issues raised through consultation and participation promptly and effectively.
- 2.4 Provide information about the outcomes of consultation and participation in a manner accessible to employees.
3 Establish and maintain practices for identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risks.
- 3.1 Develop or access a hazard identification and risk assessment tool or template document that incorporates assessment criteria for assessing risks and consequences.
- 3.2 Plan for and ensure that hazards are identified attimes designated and required by legislation.
- 3.3 Develop procedures for the ongoing identification of hazards, especially types ofhazards designated by legislation.
- 3.4 Develop procedures for the assessment of risks associated with identified hazards.
- 3.5 Develop procedures for the control of risks and the ongoing monitoring of controls.
- 3.6 Nominate the roles and responsibilities of personnel for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control within procedures.
- 3.7 Take a lead role in assessing and controlling risks, including implementing interim or emergency solutions according to consultative requirements of OHS legislation.
- 3.8 Manage the response to any incident or accident and follow legislative requirements for notifying and cooperating with OHS regulatory authorities.
4 Evaluate the organisation's health, safety and security system.
- 4.1 Assess ongoing compliance with OHS legislation and regulatory requirements, standards and codes to ensure that OHS legal requirements are maintained.
- 4.2 Consult with a range of personnel to elicit feedback on OHS policies, procedures and practices.
- 4.3 Assess the effectiveness of OHS management practices, including a review of any incidents or accidents, near misses, OHS reports and statistics held by the organisation.
- 4.4 Develop, implement, document and communicate improvements and changes to the OHS system.
RANGE STATEMENT
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.
OHS management system must include:
safe premises, including the provision of entrances and exits that are safe
safe machinery, equipment and materials
safe systems of work
safe working environment
information, instructions, training and supervision that ensure employees' health and safety
adequate facilities for the welfare of employees
appropriate management of incidents or accidents and notification to OHS regulatory authorities.
OHS policies and procedures may cover:
organisation's overall approach to OHS
consultation
incident and accident management and notification to OHS regulatory authorities
participation of personnel in OHS management practices
hazard identification
risk assessment
risk control
ongoing monitoring of risks
responsibilities of employees to ensure safety
particular safe work practices in regard to:
handling of hazardous substances
manual handling
wearing or using protective equipment
retail supply of hazardous substances
security issues
emergency evacuation and responses.
OHS training requirements may include:
OHS policy and procedures
induction training
coaching or mentoring in safe work practices
formal training programs in safe work practices
provision of information, fact sheets and signage to ensure safe work practices
OHS representative or committee training
hazard identification, and risk assessment and control training.
OHS records may include documentation of:
policies and procedures
training plans and training undertaken
consultation records, such as:
diaries of meetings
agendas for and minutes of meetings
committee members
consultation decisions and follow-up actions
hazard identification records
risk assessments
risk control actions
incident, accident and near miss reports and related statistics
incident or accident notifications to OHS regulatory authorities.
Consultative processes may involve:
consultation with all employees during the course of each business day
diary, whiteboard or suggestion box used by staff to report concerns
recording of concerns in a management diary
regular staff meetings that involve OHS discussions
special staff meetings or workshops to specifically address OHS issues
staff handbook with OHS information
survey or questionnaire that invites feedback on OHS issues
informal meetings with notes
fact sheets to fully inform personnel about OHS rights and responsibilities
formal meetings with agendas, minutes and action plans
formal OHS representatives
formal OHS committees
participation in OHS management practices, such as involving personnel in:
conducting hazard identification and risk assessment
making decisions on how to eliminate or control risks
writing parts of OHS policies and procedures.
Times designated and required by legislation for consultation will vary but may include when the organisation:
makes initial and ongoing decisions on how best to consult with personnel
is proposing to make changes to the premises, equipment, materials and systems of work that might affect the health and safety of personnel
conducts hazard identification and risk assessment or reviews hazard identification and risk assessment practices
makes decisions about actions to eliminate or control risks
introduces or alters procedures for monitoring workplace risks
introduces or alters facilities for the welfare of personnel.
Hazard identification and risk assessment tool or template document may include:
self-designed tools developed for the organisation as part of an OHS management system
tools and templates developed:
by external consultancy services
by industry associations for use of member businesses
for public use by and found within business management publications, including those developed by OHS regulatory authorities.
Assessment criteria may include:
criteria developed by external consultancy services
criteria outlined in Australian standards
criteria suggested by industry associations for use by member businesses
self-determined criteria for the organisation as part of an OHS management system.
Times designated by legislation for systematic hazard identification may include:
when changes to the workplace are implemented, including:
before the premises are used for the first time
before and during the installation or alteration of any plant
before changes to work practices are introduced
when new information relating to health and safety risk becomes available.
Types ofhazards designated by legislation may include:
physical environment, for example:
working space of any workers
lighting
hot and cold environments
prevailing noise levels
electrical items
flooring
equipment designed to assist with or replace manual handling
plant, for example:
machinery
tools
appliances
equipment
working practices, for example:
opening and closing procedures and security procedures
any standard operating procedures for work-related tasks
rostering of staff and shift allocation
length of time spent at certain tasks and allocation of breaks.
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.
OHS management system must include:
safe premises, including the provision of entrances and exits that are safe
safe machinery, equipment and materials
safe systems of work
safe working environment
information, instructions, training and supervision that ensure employees' health and safety
adequate facilities for the welfare of employees
appropriate management of incidents or accidents and notification to OHS regulatory authorities.
OHS policies and procedures may cover:
organisation's overall approach to OHS
consultation
incident and accident management and notification to OHS regulatory authorities
participation of personnel in OHS management practices
hazard identification
risk assessment
risk control
ongoing monitoring of risks
responsibilities of employees to ensure safety
particular safe work practices in regard to:
handling of hazardous substances
manual handling
wearing or using protective equipment
retail supply of hazardous substances
security issues
emergency evacuation and responses.
OHS training requirements may include:
OHS policy and procedures
induction training
coaching or mentoring in safe work practices
formal training programs in safe work practices
provision of information, fact sheets and signage to ensure safe work practices
OHS representative or committee training
hazard identification, and risk assessment and control training.
OHS records may include documentation of:
policies and procedures
training plans and training undertaken
consultation records, such as:
diaries of meetings
agendas for and minutes of meetings
committee members
consultation decisions and follow-up actions
hazard identification records
risk assessments
risk control actions
incident, accident and near miss reports and related statistics
incident or accident notifications to OHS regulatory authorities.
Consultative processes may involve:
consultation with all employees during the course of each business day
diary, whiteboard or suggestion box used by staff to report concerns
recording of concerns in a management diary
regular staff meetings that involve OHS discussions
special staff meetings or workshops to specifically address OHS issues
staff handbook with OHS information
survey or questionnaire that invites feedback on OHS issues
informal meetings with notes
fact sheets to fully inform personnel about OHS rights and responsibilities
formal meetings with agendas, minutes and action plans
formal OHS representatives
formal OHS committees
participation in OHS management practices, such as involving personnel in:
conducting hazard identification and risk assessment
making decisions on how to eliminate or control risks
writing parts of OHS policies and procedures.
Times designated and required by legislation for consultation will vary but may include when the organisation:
makes initial and ongoing decisions on how best to consult with personnel
is proposing to make changes to the premises, equipment, materials and systems of work that might affect the health and safety of personnel
conducts hazard identification and risk assessment or reviews hazard identification and risk assessment practices
makes decisions about actions to eliminate or control risks
introduces or alters procedures for monitoring workplace risks
introduces or alters facilities for the welfare of personnel.
Hazard identification and risk assessment tool or template document may include:
self-designed tools developed for the organisation as part of an OHS management system
tools and templates developed:
by external consultancy services
by industry associations for use of member businesses
for public use by and found within business management publications, including those developed by OHS regulatory authorities.
Assessment criteria may include:
criteria developed by external consultancy services
criteria outlined in Australian standards
criteria suggested by industry associations for use by member businesses
self-determined criteria for the organisation as part of an OHS management system.
Times designated by legislation for systematic hazard identification may include:
when changes to the workplace are implemented, including:
before the premises are used for the first time
before and during the installation or alteration of any plant
before changes to work practices are introduced
when new information relating to health and safety risk becomes available.
Types ofhazards designated by legislation may include:
physical environment, for example:
working space of any workers
lighting
hot and cold environments
prevailing noise levels
electrical items
flooring
equipment designed to assist with or replace manual handling
plant, for example:
machinery
tools
appliances
equipment
working practices, for example:
opening and closing procedures and security procedures
any standard operating procedures for work-related tasks
rostering of staff and shift allocation
length of time spent at certain tasks and allocation of breaks.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
project or work activities that show the candidate's ability to establish, implement, evaluate and make ongoing improvements to a complete OHS system for a given service industry operation and in line with regulatory requirements
development of comprehensive OHS system documents inclusive of policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk assessment documents
knowledge of specific relevant OHS legislative requirements
project or work activities conducted over a commercially realistic period of time so that the implementation and evaluation aspects of this unit can be assessed, i.e. an OHS system can be established, evaluated and reviewed.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
that the candidate has accessed a fully equipped office environment using appropriate computers, printers, communication technology, information programs and publications to facilitate the processes involved in developing an OHS system
access to an operation for which an OHS system would be developed or access to comprehensive and sufficient information about that operation to allow the candidate to fully develop a tailored OHS system
use of the appropriate state or territory legislation, codes of practice and standards issued by regulatory authorities or industry groups
use of OHS information, such as manuals issued by industry associations or commercial publishers
access to current organisation policies and procedures, and hazard identification and risk assessment template documents
involvement of a team operating in a specified workplace for which the candidate establishes OHS management practices.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain an OHS system. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
evaluation of a portfolio which incorporates an entire written OHS system for an organisation, including policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk assessment template documents, information fact sheets for workers, job descriptions incorporating OHS roles, training plans and a communication strategy
evaluation of reports prepared by the candidate detailing how OHS policies, systems and procedures were established for a given project or work activity
evaluation of project or work activities conducted in conjunction with an industry operator to allow the candidate to develop systems for a particular workplace
evaluation of the implementation and review processes through interviews with key stakeholders or review of reports
case studies and problem-solving exercises to establish systems, policies and procedures for different workplace sizes and types
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the legislative requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITXADM003A Write business documents
SITXGLC001A Develop and update legal knowledge required for business compliance.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
project or work activities that show the candidate's ability to establish, implement, evaluate and make ongoing improvements to a complete OHS system for a given service industry operation and in line with regulatory requirements
development of comprehensive OHS system documents inclusive of policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk assessment documents
knowledge of specific relevant OHS legislative requirements
project or work activities conducted over a commercially realistic period of time so that the implementation and evaluation aspects of this unit can be assessed, i.e. an OHS system can be established, evaluated and reviewed.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
that the candidate has accessed a fully equipped office environment using appropriate computers, printers, communication technology, information programs and publications to facilitate the processes involved in developing an OHS system
access to an operation for which an OHS system would be developed or access to comprehensive and sufficient information about that operation to allow the candidate to fully develop a tailored OHS system
use of the appropriate state or territory legislation, codes of practice and standards issued by regulatory authorities or industry groups
use of OHS information, such as manuals issued by industry associations or commercial publishers
access to current organisation policies and procedures, and hazard identification and risk assessment template documents
involvement of a team operating in a specified workplace for which the candidate establishes OHS management practices.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain an OHS system. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
evaluation of a portfolio which incorporates an entire written OHS system for an organisation, including policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk assessment template documents, information fact sheets for workers, job descriptions incorporating OHS roles, training plans and a communication strategy
evaluation of reports prepared by the candidate detailing how OHS policies, systems and procedures were established for a given project or work activity
evaluation of project or work activities conducted in conjunction with an industry operator to allow the candidate to develop systems for a particular workplace
evaluation of the implementation and review processes through interviews with key stakeholders or review of reports
case studies and problem-solving exercises to establish systems, policies and procedures for different workplace sizes and types
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the legislative requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITXADM003A Write business documents
SITXGLC001A Develop and update legal knowledge required for business compliance.
Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| E2006 | THHGLE04B | Establish and maintain a safe and secure workplace | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WF815 | SITXWHS601 | Establish and maintain a work health and safety system | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W732 | SIT50409 | Diploma of Holiday Parks and Resorts | Qualification |
| S623 | SIT60307 | Advanced Diploma of Hospitality | Qualification |
| S620 | SIT50307 | Diploma of Hospitality | Qualification |
| S621 | SIT60107 | Advanced Diploma of Tourism | Qualification |