Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:01 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:01 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.
Participate in the investigation of incidents
Participate in the investigation of incidents
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS508B
BSBOHS508B
State Code
D0910
D0910
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2008
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
21/07/2008
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in the planning, conduct and reporting of investigations of incidents which have resulted in, or have a potential to result in, injury or damage. Situations may range from relatively minor through to major incidents.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Facilitate initial assessment of the situation
- 1.1. Check area to ensure it is safe and that arrangements have been made to meet initial needs of those involved in the incident
- 1.2. Establish and maintain integrity of the site and personnel in accordance with legal requirements and to ensure objectivity of information collected
- 1.3. Identify statutory and legal obligations and, if required, advise relevant government agencies
- 1.4. Notify key persons within the organisation
- 1.5. Determine factors affecting the complexity of the investigation
- 1.6. Identify stakeholders and interested parties, and notify as appropriate
2. Participate in the establishment of investigation processes
- 2.1. Access and understand organisational policies and procedures for incident investigation
- 2.2. Convene investigation team appropriate to the level of the investigation
- 2.3. Define scope of the investigation taking account of legislative requirements
- 2.4. Facilitate involvement of interested parties in accordance with legislative requirements
- 2.5. Identify and source resources required to conduct the investigation, including the need for expert advice, if required
- 2.6. Identify and address barriers to investigation
- 2.7. Ensure action plans and time lines are developed by the investigation team
3. Collect information and data for analysis
- 3.1. Identify and access sources of information and data
- 3.2. Inspect incident site, equipment and other evidence
- 3.3. Facilitate information and data gathered by others
- 3.4. Take and record statements, photographs, measurements and documentary evidence, taking account of objectivity, confidentiality and legal implications
- 3.5. Appropriately secure site, evidence and all necessary documentation
- 3.6. Appropriately involve members of the investigation team
4. Analyse information and data gathered to identify immediate and underlying causes and practical prevention measures
- 4.1. Ensure the investigation team understands and identifies the conceptual basis for the analysis
- 4.2. Construcy time line of events leading up to incident
- 4.3. Research causative event/s
- 4.4. Identify conditions and circumstances that contribute to the causative event
- 4.5. Identify intervention points on the time line for prevention
- 4.6. Identify strategies to prevent the re-occurrence of the incident
5. Compile investigation report
- 5.1. Document results of analysis in a format to suit the required target audience and legal requirements
- 5.2. Phrase report in objective terms and cite evidence and reasons for conclusions
- 5.3. Include recommendations for prevention in report
- 5.4. Disseminate relevant information and data to key personnel, stakeholders and external agencies as appropriate, following appropriate authorisation
- 5.5. Use findings from the report to develop further prevention strategies
environment protection agencies
OHS authorities
police and other emergency services
employee assistance personnel
external specialist personnel and contractors
OHS specialists within organisation
organisational legal advisor
personnel involved in incident/situation
senior management
supervisors
union or staff association representatives
workgroup members
administrative implications
conflict of interest issues
existence of secondary hazards
international conventions
involvement of external agencies
language competencies of parties involved
legal implications arising from the incident or post incident related matters
level of public or political interest
number of other parties, including sub-contractors
seriousness of injury or other outcomes
technical implications
community
coroner
designers
employees and family members
employers
government agencies, including OHS and emergency services agencies
importers
installers
insurance companies
managers
manufacturers
media
organisation's board or advisory council
persons in control of workplaces
politicians
sub-contractors
suppliers and distributors
unions
workgroup members and people who may be exposed to similar situations
familiar with the task and the work environment
in authority in organisation such as company/organisational legal advisor and technical experts as required
in OHS representative role
responsible for performance standards within the work environment (e.g. supervisor)
with OHS expertise
availability of research data and analysis or testing equipment
availability of technical design information and data relevant to the investigation
changes to incident scene
condition of witnesses
cultural issues
economic implications
geographical location and/or accessibility
lack of records
language
legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, short-term or long-term)
length of time from when incident occurred/first identified
limited resources available
management and employee attitude including desire to protect self and others
political and community stakeholder sensitivity
time limits imposed
emphasise analysis of the systems in place at the time of the incident
encourage an open minded, objective approach
focus on the 'why' and 'how' rather than the 'what'
not focus on individual behaviour or fault
events which extend back in time as far as required and not just focus on immediate events
key events that together resulted in the particular outcome/s of injury or damage
permanent situation such as:
type of equipment
work practice
design of work environment
short-term situation that is relatively unusual, such as:
storm
key person absence
board of management
external agencies
OHS committee
police or coroner
senior managers
OHS authorities
police and other emergency services
employee assistance personnel
external specialist personnel and contractors
OHS specialists within organisation
organisational legal advisor
personnel involved in incident/situation
senior management
supervisors
union or staff association representatives
workgroup members
administrative implications
conflict of interest issues
existence of secondary hazards
international conventions
involvement of external agencies
language competencies of parties involved
legal implications arising from the incident or post incident related matters
level of public or political interest
number of other parties, including sub-contractors
seriousness of injury or other outcomes
technical implications
community
coroner
designers
employees and family members
employers
government agencies, including OHS and emergency services agencies
importers
installers
insurance companies
managers
manufacturers
media
organisation's board or advisory council
persons in control of workplaces
politicians
sub-contractors
suppliers and distributors
unions
workgroup members and people who may be exposed to similar situations
familiar with the task and the work environment
in authority in organisation such as company/organisational legal advisor and technical experts as required
in OHS representative role
responsible for performance standards within the work environment (e.g. supervisor)
with OHS expertise
availability of research data and analysis or testing equipment
availability of technical design information and data relevant to the investigation
changes to incident scene
condition of witnesses
cultural issues
economic implications
geographical location and/or accessibility
lack of records
language
legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, short-term or long-term)
length of time from when incident occurred/first identified
limited resources available
management and employee attitude including desire to protect self and others
political and community stakeholder sensitivity
time limits imposed
emphasise analysis of the systems in place at the time of the incident
encourage an open minded, objective approach
focus on the 'why' and 'how' rather than the 'what'
not focus on individual behaviour or fault
events which extend back in time as far as required and not just focus on immediate events
key events that together resulted in the particular outcome/s of injury or damage
permanent situation such as:
type of equipment
work practice
design of work environment
short-term situation that is relatively unusual, such as:
storm
key person absence
board of management
external agencies
OHS committee
police or coroner
senior managers
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
investigation of OHS incidents in a systematic manner
an initial assessment of the situation and the establishment of processes
recommendations made for prevention
dissemination of relevant information and data
knowledge principles and practices of continuity and validity of evidence retention for potential legal action.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to workplace documents and situation case studies and, where possible, to situations
access to office equipment and resources
access to other personnel involved in investigations.
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
assessment of written reports on incidents
demonstration of techniques used to conduct OHS incident investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of requirements for reporting under OHS and other relevant legislation including notification and reporting of incidents
review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
evaluation of area checks after an incident
scoping of the investigation
recording of documentary evidence
research of causative event/s.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other OHS units.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
investigation of OHS incidents in a systematic manner
an initial assessment of the situation and the establishment of processes
recommendations made for prevention
dissemination of relevant information and data
knowledge principles and practices of continuity and validity of evidence retention for potential legal action.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to workplace documents and situation case studies and, where possible, to situations
access to office equipment and resources
access to other personnel involved in investigations.
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
assessment of written reports on incidents
demonstration of techniques used to conduct OHS incident investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of requirements for reporting under OHS and other relevant legislation including notification and reporting of incidents
review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
evaluation of area checks after an incident
scoping of the investigation
recording of documentary evidence
research of causative event/s.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other OHS units.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7633 | BSBOHS508A | Participate in the investigation of incidents | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE737 | BSBWHS505A | Investigate WHS incidents | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D175 | BSB51307 | Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety | Qualification |