Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:59 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:59 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.
Assist with responding to incidents
Assist with responding to incidents
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBWHS406A
BSBWHS406A
State Code
WE728
WE728
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/02/2013
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
26/02/2013
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist with actions and activities performed in response to incidents.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assist with identifying legislative and other requirements
- 1.1 Apply knowledge of WHS legislation to identify duty holders and legislative requirements regarding responding to incidents
- 1.2 Apply knowledge of workplace policies, procedures and processes to identify workplace requirements regarding responding to incidents
- 1.3 Communicate requirements to individuals and parties appropriate to own job role and work area
2. Assist with implementing initial incident response procedures
- 2.1 Assist with providing first aid according to workplace procedures and processes, where necessary
- 2.2 Assist with notifying, reporting and documenting incidents according to workplace procedures and processes
- 2.3 Assist with meeting legislative requirements regarding incidents, where necessary
3. Assist with collecting WHS information and data relevant to an investigation
- 3.1 Assist with obtaining information and data from those involved, using appropriate data-collection techniques, about actions and events leading up to or occurring during or after an incident
- 3.2 Assist with identifying and accessing sources of additional information and data related to an incident
4. Assist incident investigations
- 4.1 Assist investigators and provide relevant information during investigations
- 4.2 Use appropriate techniques when participating in workplace investigations
- 4.3 Review reports on incidents, injuries and illnesses
- 4.4 Contact responsible persons and relevant authorities when required
5. Assist in implementing recommended measures and actions arising from investigations
- 5.1 Communicate recommendations arising from investigations to relevant others
- 5.2 Assist with measures and actions appropriate to own job role and work area
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
WHS legislation may include:
WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.
Duty holders may include:
as specified in WHS Acts:
persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace.
Incidents may include:
accidents
Individuals and parties may include:
contractors and subcontractors
health and safety committees
health and safety representatives
managers, supervisors and PCBUs or their officers
unions
WHS entry permit holders
WHS inspectors
WHS regulators
workers.
Meeting legislative requirements may include:
compliance with a non-disturbance notice
notification of notifiable incidents
preservation of the incident site.
Appropriate data-collection techniques may include:
accessing information and statistics on accidents and dangerous occurrences
conducting regular accident or special workplace WHS inspections
engaging the services of an internal or external consultant or specialist WHS practitioner
facilitating the engagement of personnel to conduct specialised testing on hazards in the workplace.
Actions and events may include:
anything that may have contributed to the occurrence or severity of the incident, including design decisions
facts about the incident, such as:
systems
people
tools
equipment
materials
fixtures
time and nature of any injuries sustained.
Sources of additional information and data may include:
booklets and publications from statutory authorities
manufacturer manuals, specifications and instructions
records of:
hazards identified in the workplace
previous actions taken to control hazards
risk assessments
rights and responsibilities of those involved in WHS in the workplace
safe work procedures
WHS consultation and participation processes
WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, industry standards and guidelines
WHS-related websites
workplace WHS policies, procedures and agreements.
Investigators may include:
external consultants
industry representatives, managers, supervisors and PCBUs or their officers
inspectors from statutory WHS investigative bodies or regulators
internal WHS specialists
WHS representatives conducting workplace investigations for issues raised in the workplace.
Appropriate techniques may include:
examination of relevant information and data
inspections
interviews
simulations
timelines of actions and events.
WHS legislation may include:
WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.
Duty holders may include:
as specified in WHS Acts:
persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace.
Incidents may include:
accidents
Individuals and parties may include:
contractors and subcontractors
health and safety committees
health and safety representatives
managers, supervisors and PCBUs or their officers
unions
WHS entry permit holders
WHS inspectors
WHS regulators
workers.
Meeting legislative requirements may include:
compliance with a non-disturbance notice
notification of notifiable incidents
preservation of the incident site.
Appropriate data-collection techniques may include:
accessing information and statistics on accidents and dangerous occurrences
conducting regular accident or special workplace WHS inspections
engaging the services of an internal or external consultant or specialist WHS practitioner
facilitating the engagement of personnel to conduct specialised testing on hazards in the workplace.
Actions and events may include:
anything that may have contributed to the occurrence or severity of the incident, including design decisions
facts about the incident, such as:
systems
people
tools
equipment
materials
fixtures
time and nature of any injuries sustained.
Sources of additional information and data may include:
booklets and publications from statutory authorities
manufacturer manuals, specifications and instructions
records of:
hazards identified in the workplace
previous actions taken to control hazards
risk assessments
rights and responsibilities of those involved in WHS in the workplace
safe work procedures
WHS consultation and participation processes
WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, industry standards and guidelines
WHS-related websites
workplace WHS policies, procedures and agreements.
Investigators may include:
external consultants
industry representatives, managers, supervisors and PCBUs or their officers
inspectors from statutory WHS investigative bodies or regulators
internal WHS specialists
WHS representatives conducting workplace investigations for issues raised in the workplace.
Appropriate techniques may include:
examination of relevant information and data
inspections
interviews
simulations
timelines of actions and events.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
following the hierarchy of control
attention to detail
thoroughness in completion of documentation
knowledge of relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
relevant WHS information, such as:
organisational policies
standard operating procedures and plans
relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice
licensing requirements
standards
appropriate office equipment and resources
relevant internal and external data files.
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 documentation completed when contributing to WHS investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of basic principles of incident causation
review of reports on safety incidents, injuries and illnesses
evaluation of communications to relevant others about recommendations arising from investigations.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBWHS402A Assist with compliance with WHS laws
BSBWHS403A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS consultation and participation processes
BSBWHS404A Contribute to WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
BSBWHS405A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS management systems.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
following the hierarchy of control
attention to detail
thoroughness in completion of documentation
knowledge of relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
relevant WHS information, such as:
organisational policies
standard operating procedures and plans
relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice
licensing requirements
standards
appropriate office equipment and resources
relevant internal and external data files.
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 documentation completed when contributing to WHS investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of basic principles of incident causation
review of reports on safety incidents, injuries and illnesses
evaluation of communications to relevant others about recommendations arising from investigations.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBWHS402A Assist with compliance with WHS laws
BSBWHS403A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS consultation and participation processes
BSBWHS404A Contribute to WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
BSBWHS405A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS management systems.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D0894 | BSBOHS307B | Participate in OHS investigations | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUK46 | BSBWHS406 | Assist with responding to incidents | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J340 | BSB30712 | Certificate III in Work Health and Safety | Qualification |
| J346 | BSB41412 | Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety | Qualification |