Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:50 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:50 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.
Facilitate the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk
Facilitate the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS507B
BSBOHS507B
State Code
D0909
D0909
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
31/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate the application of principles of occupational health and implement strategies to control occupational health and safety (OHS) risk.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health from agents in the workplace
- 1.1. Access external sources of information and data to assist in identifying agents in the workplace with a potential to adversely affect health
- 1.2. Review workplace sources of information and data to access information to assist in identifying agents in the workplace with a potential to adversely affect health
- 1.3. Consider the role of individual difference in susceptibility to occupational disease or injury in identifying adverse effects on health
- 1.4. Identify situations where health professionals may be required
2. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health related to the interaction of the work environment, work systems and people
- 2.1. Apply knowledge of sources of occupational disease and injury to analyse job characteristics, nature of work and the context of work to help identify situations with potential for physical or psychological harm to employees
- 2.2. Access workplace and internal sources of information and data, taking account of privacy requirements, to assist in identifying situations with a potential for physical or psychological harm to employees
3. Facilitate the control of risks to health in the workplace
- 3.1. Apply the hierarchy of control to control risks to occupational health
- 3.2. Examine workplace policies, procedures and schedules to minimise situations with a potential to cause physical or psychological harm to employees
- 3.3. Examine organisational communication processes to maximise clarity of roles and employee involvement in these processes
4. Participate in the development of strategies to communicate occupational health information and data
- 4.1. Research and identify characteristics of target groups
- 4.2. Interpret and discuss health effects with stakeholders that may result from work and the working environment
- 4.3. Implement communication strategies in accordance with legal and ethical requirements
- 4.4. Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of health communication processes
5. Monitor and facilitate occupational health education and training
- 5.1. Identify the need for health information and data, and training in consultation with workplace stakeholders
- 5.2. Identify personnel including health professionals and resources to deliver occupational health training
- 5.3. Identify and allocate roles and responsibilities for the delivery of training
- 5.4. Provide health information and data, and education to managers and workers in a manner that facilitates understanding and uptake
- 5.5. Apply training, evaluation and monitoring processes
6. Review and evaluate the occupational health program
- 6.1. Evaluate outcomes and document the overall impact of occupational health education programs through an evaluation plan
- 6.2. Evaluate and document the overall impact of the occupational health program
- 6.3. Make recommendations for future programs as a result of the evaluation
Australian Safety and Compensation Council
databases with national and state injury data, such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
employer groups
industry bodies
journals and websites
legislation, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
OHS regulatory authorities
OHS specialists
unions.
biological
chemical
ergonomic
nuclear
physical
psychosocial
radiological.
audits
employees
hazard, incident and investigation reports
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
minutes of meetings
questionnaires
reports
written and verbal complaints.
general practitioners
health educators
occupational health nurses
occupational health physicians.
adequacy of equipment or faulty equipment
effectiveness of different control strategies
health effects of physical hazards in the workplace such as noise, vibration, thermal extremes
job demands such as high physical, mental or emotional demands; lack of variety; short work cycle; workload
participation in decision making and control of workload
relative costs of implementation of appropriate control strategies
toxicology of hazardous materials
workload and scheduling issues such as pace; shift work, inflexible work schedules; unpredictable, long or unsocial hours
workplace processes and the hazards they produce.
career issues including promotion, job security and skills
interpersonal relationships at work, including with supervisors and peers
organisational factors such as communication; levels of support for problem solving and personal development; changing employment patterns; definition of organisational objectives
role ambiguity, role conflict, role responsibilities.
human resources, industrial relations, personnel management and staff
managers
occupational health and employee assistance staff
OHS and employee representatives
supervisors.
eliminating hazards
and where this is not practicable, minimising risk by:
substitution
isolating the hazard from personnel
using engineering controls
using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)
using personal protective equipment (PPE).
formal and informal communication processes
position descriptions and performance appraisal processes
training.
characteristics influencing communication strategies, such as access to information and data and empowerment
characteristics such as, but not limited to:
cultural background
language and literacy
location
size of workforce, group, team etc
variability of roles, responsibilities etc.
employees
families of employees
health and safety, and other employee representatives
local community
managers
OHS committees.
equity and workers with specific needs
privacy legislation
relevant OHS legislative requirements related to use of certain chemicals and processes in the workplace.
confidentiality
equity
privacy
workplace diversity.
financial
physical.
appropriate communication strategies for the workplace
identification of relevant target groups
impact on improvements to the workplace as a result of interventions
impact on workforce
training availability including delivery schedule
training content.
databases with national and state injury data, such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
employer groups
industry bodies
journals and websites
legislation, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
OHS regulatory authorities
OHS specialists
unions.
biological
chemical
ergonomic
nuclear
physical
psychosocial
radiological.
audits
employees
hazard, incident and investigation reports
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
minutes of meetings
questionnaires
reports
written and verbal complaints.
general practitioners
health educators
occupational health nurses
occupational health physicians.
adequacy of equipment or faulty equipment
effectiveness of different control strategies
health effects of physical hazards in the workplace such as noise, vibration, thermal extremes
job demands such as high physical, mental or emotional demands; lack of variety; short work cycle; workload
participation in decision making and control of workload
relative costs of implementation of appropriate control strategies
toxicology of hazardous materials
workload and scheduling issues such as pace; shift work, inflexible work schedules; unpredictable, long or unsocial hours
workplace processes and the hazards they produce.
career issues including promotion, job security and skills
interpersonal relationships at work, including with supervisors and peers
organisational factors such as communication; levels of support for problem solving and personal development; changing employment patterns; definition of organisational objectives
role ambiguity, role conflict, role responsibilities.
human resources, industrial relations, personnel management and staff
managers
occupational health and employee assistance staff
OHS and employee representatives
supervisors.
eliminating hazards
and where this is not practicable, minimising risk by:
substitution
isolating the hazard from personnel
using engineering controls
using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)
using personal protective equipment (PPE).
formal and informal communication processes
position descriptions and performance appraisal processes
training.
characteristics influencing communication strategies, such as access to information and data and empowerment
characteristics such as, but not limited to:
cultural background
language and literacy
location
size of workforce, group, team etc
variability of roles, responsibilities etc.
employees
families of employees
health and safety, and other employee representatives
local community
managers
OHS committees.
equity and workers with specific needs
privacy legislation
relevant OHS legislative requirements related to use of certain chemicals and processes in the workplace.
confidentiality
equity
privacy
workplace diversity.
financial
physical.
appropriate communication strategies for the workplace
identification of relevant target groups
impact on improvements to the workplace as a result of interventions
impact on workforce
training availability including delivery schedule
training content.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
facilitation of strategies to assist with controlling OHS risks associated with occupational health issues
knowledge of structure and forms of legislation including regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to office equipment and resources
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
access to workplace or simulated workplace.
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 the effectiveness of OHS principles in the workplace
demonstration of techniques used to control OHS risk
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 ethics related to professional practice
evaluation of discussions with stakeholders about health effects that may result from work and the working environment
review of evaluation plan
assessment of identification of situations that require health professionals.
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:
facilitation of strategies to assist with controlling OHS risks associated with occupational health issues
knowledge of structure and forms of legislation including regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to office equipment and resources
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
access to workplace or simulated workplace.
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 the effectiveness of OHS principles in the workplace
demonstration of techniques used to control OHS risk
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 ethics related to professional practice
evaluation of discussions with stakeholders about health effects that may result from work and the working environment
review of evaluation plan
assessment of identification of situations that require health professionals.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7801 | BSBOHS507A | Facilitate the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE736 | BSBWHS504A | Manage WHS hazards and risks | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D725 | FNS51811 | Diploma of Financial Services | Qualification |
| D728 | FNS60811 | Advanced Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D721 | FNS50811 | Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D175 | BSB51307 | Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety | Qualification |