Unit of competency details

Release

Comments

3

No changes to competency outcome.

Reduction of repetition.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Establish and maintain a framework for the OHS system.

1.1. Access and interpret key legislative documents to ensure that OHS systems comply with regulatory requirements, standards and codes.

1.2. Design an OHS management system  to suit the characteristics and needs of the organisation, in consultation with appropriate personnel.

1.3. Identify and provide adequate financial, human and specialist external resources to address OHS management practices.

1.4. Develop and articulate OHS policies and procedures  in a format readily accessible to all personnel.

1.5. Define and allocate health, safety and security responsibilities clearly, including relevant information in job descriptions and duty statements.

1.6. Consult with key personnel and determine, develop and implement a plan for OHS training requirements .

1.7. Establish and monitor a system for keeping OHS records .

2. Establish and maintain consultative arrangements for the management of OHS.

2.1. Establish and maintain appropriate consultative processes  to suit the characteristics and needs of the organisation.

2.2. Plan for and ensure that consultation is conducted at times designated and required by legislation.

2.3. Resolve issues arising from consultation and participation promptly and effectively.

2.4. Provide information about the outcomes of consultation and participation in a manner accessible to employees.

3. Establish and maintain procedures for identifying hazards and assessing and controlling risks.

3.1. Develop or access a hazard identification and risk-assessment tool or template  document that incorporates assessment criteria  for assessing risks and consequences.

3.2. Plan for and ensure that hazards are identified at times designated and required by legislation .

3.3. Develop procedures for the ongoing identification of hazards, especially types of hazards designated by legislation .

3.4. Develop procedures for the assessment of risks associated with identified hazards.

3.5. Develop procedures for the control of risks and the ongoing monitoring of controls.

3.6. Identify and assign the roles and responsibilities of personnel for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control within procedures.

3.7. Take a lead role in assessing and controlling risks, including implementing interim or emergency solutions according to consultative requirements of OHS legislation.

4. Evaluate the organisation's OHS system.

4.1. Assess ongoing compliance with OHS legislation and regulatory requirements, standards and codes to ensure that OHS legal requirements are maintained.

4.2. Consult with a range of personnel to elicit feedback on OHS policies, procedures and practices.

4.3. Assess the effectiveness of OHS management practices, including a review of incidents or accidents, near misses, OHS reports and statistics held by the organisation.

4.4. Develop, implement, document and communicate improvements and changes to the OHS system.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• problem-solving skills to:

• analyse the work environment in order to identify hazards, assess risks and design and implement appropriate OHS management systems
• assess the resources needed to establish and maintain OHS management systems including a range of risk-control measures
• allow for a rational and logical evaluation of the characteristics and needs of the organisation in order to design a tailored OHS system
• evaluate and review OHS system

• literacy skills to:

• read and interpret complex materials describing regulatory requirements that relate to OHS management
• develop and write comprehensive OHS systems inclusive of detailed yet easily accessible policies and procedures
• develop or read template documents
• communication skills to consult with a range of personnel to establish and monitor the effectiveness of OHS policies, procedures and practices.

Required knowledge 

• OHS legislation and associated OHS codes of practice and standards to enable analysis of legislative requirements as they apply to workplace operations
• consultative and communication mechanisms used by organisations to develop and implement procedural systems
• main types of safety hazards found in the industry sector or organisation to enable the development of appropriate responses
• acceptable control methods for identified hazards to enable appropriate responses to hazards and risks
• the way systems and procedures on health, safety and security issues link with other management systems.

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 :

• establishes, implements, evaluates and makes ongoing improvements to a complete OHS system for a given industry operation according to regulatory requirements
• develops comprehensive OHS system documents inclusive of policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk-assessment documents and undertakes extensive consultation
• applies contingency-management techniques to respond to problems arising from OHS systems.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure development and maintenance of an OHS system for a facility or organisation relevant to the candidate’s current or intended work environment.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a fully operational sport and recreation environment using appropriate information programs and publications to facilitate the processes involved in developing an OHS system
• an operation for which an OHS system would be developed or access to comprehensive information about that operation to allow the candidate to fully develop a tailored OHS system
• use of appropriate state or territory legislation, codes of practice and standards issued by regulatory authorities or industry groups
• use of OHS information, such as manuals issued by industry associations or commercial publishers.

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:

• portfolio incorporating an entire written OHS system for an organisation, including policies, procedures, hazard identification and risk-assessment template documents, information fact sheets for workers and clients, job descriptions incorporating OHS roles, training plans and a communication strategy
• reports prepared by the candidate detailing how OHS policies, systems and procedures were established for a given project or work activity
• project or work activities conducted in conjunction with an industry operator to allow the candidate to develop systems for a particular workplace
• third-party reports from key stakeholders or review of reports of the implementation and review processes
• case studies and problem-solving exercises to establish systems, policies and procedures for different workplace sizes and types
• written and or oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the legislative requirements.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISXRSK502A Manage organisational risks.

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.

OHS management system  may include:

• safe premises
• safe machinery, equipment and materials
• safe systems of work
• safe work environment
• information, instructions, training and supervision that ensure employees’ and clients’ health and safety
• adequate facilities for the welfare of employees
• appropriate management of incidents or accidents and notification to OHS regulatory authorities.

OHS policies and procedures  may include:

• incident and accident management
• participation in OHS management practices
• hazard identification
• handling of hazardous substances and dangerous goods
• risk assessment and control
• ongoing monitoring of risks
• responsibilities of employees to ensure safety
• manual handling
• wearing or using personal protective equipment
• retail supply of hazardous substances
• security issues
• emergency evacuation and responses.

OHS training requirements  may include:

• OHS policy and procedures
• induction training
• coaching or mentoring
• formal training programs
• provision of information, fact sheets and signage to ensure safe work practices
• OHS representative or committee training
• hazard identification, risk assessment and control training.

OHS records  may include:

• policies and procedures
• training plans and training undertaken
• consultation records
• hazard identification records
• risk assessment and control actions
• incident, accident and near-miss reports and statistics
• incident or accident notifications to OHS regulatory authorities.

Consultative processes  may involve:

• recording concerns
• staff meetings or workshops
• staff handbook with OHS information
• surveys or questionnaires
• OHS representatives or committees.

Tool or template  may include:

• self-designed tool developed for the organisation as part of an OHS management system
• tools and templates developed by external consultancy services or industry associations
• tools and templates developed by OHS regulatory authorities for public use.

Assessment criteria  may include:

• criteria developed by external consultancy services
• criteria outlined in Australian standards
• criteria suggested by industry associations for use by member businesses
• organisation-specific criteria as part of an OHS management system.

Times designated and required by legislation  may include:

• when changes to the workplace are implemented:

• before the premises are used for the first time
• before and during the installation or alteration of any plant
• before changes to work practices are introduced
• when new information relating to health and safety risk becomes available.

Types of hazards designated by legislation  may include:

• physical environment
• plant and equipment
• work practices
• length of time spent at certain tasks and allocation of breaks.