Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.
External sources of information and data may include:
OHS regulatory authorities
industry bodies
employer groups
unions
OHS specialists
legislation, codes of practice and standards
databases such as national and state injury data and National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
journals and web sites
manufacturers' manual and specifications
A hazard is:
a source or a situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these
Workplace sources of information and data may include:
employees
OHS representatives
hazard, incident and investigation reports
workplace inspections
minutes of meetings
reports
audits
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
Stakeholders include:
managers
supervisors
health and safety and other employee representatives
OHS committees
employees
Key personnel may include:
managers from other areas
people involved in OHS decision making or who are affected by OHS decisions
OHS specialists may be internal or external and include:
ergonomists
engineers
occupational hygienists
toxicologists
organisational psychologists
workplace injury and return to work advisors
Workplace issues may include:
changes in work practice
changes in equipment, including technology
changes in work organisation, including contracting, hire arrangements, casualisation, supervisory arrangements, out workers, rosters, shift work, work hours and work relations
changes to legislation and standards
outcomes of court rulings
new knowledge on hazards
changes in social, political or community environment
Occasions when action for hazard identification is required include:
at design or pre-purchase of buildings, equipment and materials
commissioning or pre-implementation of new processes or practices
new forms of work and organisation of work
before changes are made to workplace, equipment, work processes or work arrangements
planning major tasks or activities, such as equipment shutdowns
following an incident report
when new knowledge becomes available
at regular intervals during normal operations
prior to disposal of equipment, buildings or materials
Tools may include:
job safety analysis (JSA)
audits
cause and effect diagrams
surveys
Task demands may include:
required precision or accuracy
machine pacing or time pressure to complete a task
physical or physiological demands
arousal and alertness
repetitive nature of task
Task environment may include:
lighting
noise
air quality
thermal
Agents may be:
chemical
physical
biological
ergonomic
psychosocial
Risk is:
the chance of something occurring that will result in injury or damage
measured in terms of consequences (injury or damage) and likelihood of the consequence
Factors contributing to risk may include those associated with:
equipment
work environment
work organisation
task
the individual/operator
frequency and duration of exposure
number of people exposed/ involved
Relevant standards may include:
legislation
codes of practice
Australian and industry standards
current practice in the industry
current knowledge related to the specific hazard and controls
Quality of control refers to:
the level and reliability of the control compared with the level of risk
Prioritisation may be done using:
standard ranking tools
specially designed tools
other recognised processes
Risk assessment includes identification of:
factors contributing to risk
current controls and their adequacy
discrepancy between current control and required standard
prioritisation or ranking of a number of risks, where appropriate
Hierarchy of control means developing risk controls within the following priority order:
eliminate hazards
and where this is not practicable, minimise risk by:
substitution
isolating the hazard from personnel
using engineering controls
using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)
using personal protective equipment (PPE)
Factors impacting on the effectiveness of controls may include:
language
shift work and rostering arrangements
literacy and numeracy levels
workplace organisational structures (size of organisation, geographic, hierarchical)
cultural diversity
training required
workplace culture related to OHS including commitment by managers and supervisors and compliance with procedures and training
A risk register may include all of the following:
a list of hazards, their location and people exposed
a range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which the hazards may cause injury or damage
the results of the risk analysis related to the hazards
possible control measures and dates for implementation

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSOHS505A Manage hazards in the work environment
PSPSOHS506A Monitor and facilitate the management of hazards associated with plant.
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
knowledge requirements of this unit
skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Resources required to carry out assessment
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the application of principles of OHS risk management
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when applying the principles of OHS risk management.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when applying the principles of OHS risk management, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
application of the principles of OHS risk management in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
workplace projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
observation.
portfolios.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.