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.
Plant (as defined in National Standard for Plant) may include:
any machinery, equipment (including scaffolding), appliance, implement or tool and any other component, fitting or accessory
fixed and or specified plant as related to Commonwealth, state and territory OHS legislation
mobile plant and load shifting equipment
pressure equipment such as boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping
electrical installation and plant such as wiring, accessories, fittings, consuming devices, control and protective gear, converters and generators
Sources of information, data and advice on plant and equipment hazards may include:
relevant Commonwealth, state or territory OHS legislation, regulations, associated standards and codes of practice
Australian standards
National Plant and Certification Standards and associated guidance material
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)
state and territory OHS regulatory bodies
professional associations such as Institute of Engineers Australia, Design Institute of Australia, Building Design Professionals
employer groups, unions and industry bodies
OHS professionals including those working in safety engineering, occupational hygiene, occupational health, injury management, toxicology, ergonomics and epidemiology
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
employees and operators
hazard, incident and investigation reports
workplace inspections
minutes of meetings
reports
audits
questionnaires and surveys
A hazard is defined as:
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
Systems of work associated with plant may be described in:
organisation policies and procedures addressing areas, such as operations, maintenance, purchasing
management systems, such as fleet management, procurement, design and quality assurance
manufacturers' operations manuals
standard operating procedures
documents describing how tasks, projects, inspections, jobs and processes are to be undertaken
Specialist advisors may be internal or external and include:
ergonomists
occupational hygienists
engineers (such as design, acoustic, safety, mechanical, maintenance)
injury management personnel
manufacturers
designers
suppliers and distributors
Stakeholders may include:
managers
employees
supervisors
health and safety and other employee representatives
OHS committees
Key personnel may include:
maintenance and trade persons
workplace trainers and assessors
managers
supervisors
users/operators
OHS representatives
Recording and reporting procedures may include:
policies and procedures underpinning systems of management, particularly OHS
purchasing and contracting procedures
standard operating procedures
job and task statements
documents describing how tasks, projects, inspections, jobs and processes are to be undertaken
job safety analysis worksheets
risk assessments
plant and equipment registers
maintenance and service logs, sheets, cards, diaries
quality system documentation
Risk is:
the chance of something happening that will result in injury or damage
measured in terms of consequences (injury or damage) and likelihood of the consequence
Risk assessment includes identification of:
factors contributing to risk
current controls and their adequacy
any discrepancy between current controls and required standard and quality of control
prioritisation or ranking of risk where appropriate
A risk register may be an internal or external document customised for the workplace and include:
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 risk assessments
and may include possible control measures and proposed dates for implementation
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)
Access and egress to plant must allow for:
access to parts of plant which require cleaning and maintenance
access/egress to operator's workstation for normal and emergency conditions
may include systems to enable safe access and egress such as:
emergency lighting
safety doors
alarm systems
Dangerous parts:
are potential contact or entrapment points to which the operator may be exposed during:
operation
examination
lubrication
adjustment
maintenance
Guarding may include:
permanently fixed physical barriers where no access of any part of a person is required
interlocking physical barriers where access to dangerous areas is required during operation
physical barriers securely fixed by means of fasteners or devices
presence-sensing safeguarding systems
Operational controls must:
be suitability identified
have nature and function clearly indicated
be readily and conveniently located
be guarded to prevented unintentional activation
be capable of locking in 'off' position to enable disconnection of all motive power and forces
be of 'fail safe' type
Emergency stops and warning devices must be:
prominently, clearly and durably marked
coloured red (push buttons, bars or handles)
unable to be affected by electrical or electronic circuit malfunction
fitted where risk assessment identifies a need
Registration and design of plant may include:
relevant state and territory jurisdictional requirements
Operator certification is:
the process by which a certificate to use or operate industrial equipment is issued by a certifying authority
Permit to work procedures or certification are defined as written authority documents that may:
include approval to undertake work and activities including tests, measurements and monitoring such as hot work permits for welding and cutting in hazardous environments, and confined space entry
be authorised by a responsible or designated person directly in control of the work
certify appropriate precautions and controls to be followed
incorporate checklists, conditions and actions such as the frequency and duration of the work and atmospheric tests
follow recognised industry standard recording practices
Isolation procedures, known also as lock-out and tag-out, is a safety device system and may:
include devices such as isolating switches, locks, safety bars, shields, full pressure blanks, spectacle blanks to lock controls - especially moving parts, equipment, systems or devices with stored energy - to an 'off' position while a worker is in a vulnerable position such as:
performing maintenance on rotating equipment, and electrical and hydraulic systems
locking switches with keys needed to open the lock
be used in conjunction with a danger tag system that promotes greater safety consciousness amongst the workforce for all situations in which danger to persons could arise from:
the operation of machinery, plant or equipment
the flow of steam, electricity, gases or liquids
the use of faulty or unsafe plant and equipment
include multiple locking systems and involve written authorisation by a competent person
Other personnel may include:
visitors
public
general community
other employees and contractors
Modifications to plant and equipment may include:
changes to physical specification of plant, parts or associated tools
changes in specification of raw material or plant operating materials, such as lubricants
changes to work processes and systems
introduction of contractual arrangements
introduction of new and emerging technology
Registration means:
the administrative process by which a certifying authority requires an organisation or industry to register plant, machinery and equipment
Operator licensing and/or certification means:
any form of regulation that restricts entry to an occupation or a profession to those who meet competency related requirements stipulated by a regulatory authority. (This includes any physical or implied licence, registration, certification, approval or permit that is required by a person in order to gain employment/self employment)
OHS requirements related to plant may include:
OHS obligations and responsibilities to provide safe equipment
OHS consultation and participation
systematic hazard identification, risk analysis and evaluation, and risk control
compliance licensing and certification competencies for operators applicable to state and/or territory legislation
documentation requirements relating to plant
OHS training and information
purchasing/procurement policy and procedures
OHS policies and procedures
safe work procedures
task observation
safe behaviour and defensive driving practices
emergency preparedness
incident investigation
Training requirements should be defined for:
person(s) undertaking supervised and/or accredited training towards assessment for a particular certificate
persons requiring training for safe use of plant or equipment
Licensing, certification and registration requirements may be defined in:
relevant national and Australian standards
state and territory OHS legislation and codes of practice
licensing and certification requirements applicable to state and/or territory legislation including OHS, dangerous goods, hazardous substances, mining and petrochemical
Other legal requirements include:
relevant state or territory transport regulations
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) means:
a basic concept where risks are kept as low as is reasonably achievable
Appropriate records include:
compliance with legislative requirements
risk assessments
noise and vibration analysis
maintenance and modification records

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
PSPSOHS504A Apply principles of OHS risk management
PSPSOHS505A Manage hazards in the work environment.
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 management of hazards associated with plant
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when monitoring and facilitating the management of hazards associated with plant.
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 monitoring and facilitating the management of hazards associated with plant, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
monitoring and facilitation of hazard management associated with plant 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.