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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

act in an emergency

follow workplace procedure for hazard identification and risk control when completing a range of workplace operations and circumstances that the individual would be expected to deal with.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

local emergency services

occupational health and safety risk management

relevant parts of OHS legislation, relevant regulations and codes of practice which apply in that state or territory for work being undertaken

significant physical, environmental and chemical hazards in the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

enterprise OHS policies and procedures

relevant OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

observation of work activities

practical exercises

project work

written or oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.

Required skills

applying the hierarchy of control model

communicating and contributing to OHS participative arrangements and reporting hazards and risks

following workplace procedures for acting in an emergency

following workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control.

Literacy skills used for:

interpreting OHS symbols

reading labels, notices and relevant enterprise documentation and manufacturer specifications.

Numeracy skills used for:

estimating weight of items to be lifted or moved.

Required knowledge

designated personnel responsible for OHS within the enterprise

local emergency services

preferred order of ways to control risks (i.e. hierarchy of control)

reasons for and purpose of workplace health and safety requirements

significant hazards in the workplace

the rights and responsibilities of the workplace parties under OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

ways in which OHS is managed in the workplace, and activities required under OHS legislation

workplace OHS procedures relevant to the work being undertaken.

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.

Hazard identification may include:

housekeeping

the process of recognising that a hazard exists, for example:

workplace inspections

checking equipment or the work area before work commences and during work.

Risk may include:

the likelihood that something will cause harm in the circumstances of its use.

Risk assessment may include:

activities undertaken (consistent with level of responsibility) to estimate how likely it is that harm will occur as a result of the existence of a particular risk.

Risk control may include:

devices, systems, including work methods, or approaches that reduce exposure to workplace hazards.

Hazards may include:

contact with electricity

contact with plant or marine life

contaminants

dangerous organisms

exposure to heat, cold and ultraviolet (UV) radiation

falls, trips and slips

hitting or being hit by stationary or moving objects

immersion in water without a personal flotation device (PFD)

inadequate training

ladders

manual handling

noise

plant and machinery operation and maintenance (e.g. unguarded machinery, motor vehicles and unstable vessels)

poor housekeeping and lack of deck space

recreational swimming

repetitive movements and awkward postures

short or long term contact with chemicals and hazardous substances (e.g. dust and fumes)

smoking and alcohol

unventilated holds

weather and water conditions

working with inappropriate clothing

working with knives.

Hierarchy of control model refers to:

a system for developing risk controls with the priority being, in order:

eliminate the hazard

substitute the hazard with a lesser hazard or risk

isolate the hazard

use engineering controls

use administrative controls

use personal protective equipment (PPE).

This is a recognised ranking of control measures according to effectiveness form the most effective measures (that eliminate hazards) to the least effective (that achieve only temporary protection and require ongoing checking and change). PPE is regarded as the least satisfactory control measure.

Workplace procedures may include:

instructions on how a workplace activity should be carried out, by whom and when, for example:

accident and incident reporting

confined space entry

electrical safety

emergency procedures

health and hygiene (e.g. alcohol, smoking, shift work and fatigue)

isolation (also known as lock-out and tag-out)

job procedures and work instructions

machine guarding

manual handling

noise and vibration

permit to work

plant and equipment (e.g. operating, licensing, maintenance and servicing)

recreational swimming

rescue procedures

use and storage of hazardous substances

use of PPE

use of safety and flotation devices

vessel housekeeping

work on an unstable work platform

work in rough weather

working at heights

working with the elements (e.g. isolations, hypothermia, inclement weather and UV exposure).

Manual handling may include:

any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull and carry bags, drums, cartons and crates.

Training may include:

the development of skills, knowledge and attitudes, through instruction or practice, for example:

confined space work

identification of hazardous work practices

manual handling

marine safety practices

safe use and handling of hazardous substances

survival skills

training on commencement of employment.

Risks to workplace bystanders may include:

persons who are not working but are present at or near a workplace and may be affected by the activities of the workplace, for example:

being exposed to noise, chemicals, pesticides and slips/falls/spills

being run over and injured by vehicles or vessels

drowning.

Emergencies may include:

chemical spills

collisions

electrocution

entanglement in nets or craypot ropes

falling or being dragged overboard

fire

flood

immersion in water

injuries associated with dangerous organisms (e.g. bites, stings and poisoning)

injuries associated with machines, vehicles, vessels and diving

rescue activities

rough weather and heavy seas

vessel capsize.

Workplace policy may include:

written statement of employer's intentions and how they will action those intentions in the workplace, for example, OHS, access and equity, and discrimination.

Designated personnel may include:

enterprise OHS personnel

other persons authorised or nominated by the enterprise or industry to perform, approve, inspect or direct specified work

supervisors, managers and team leaders.

OHS requirements may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers

clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace

codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector

enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards

hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures

induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner

OHS training register

safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances

safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace

systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts

the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.

Participative arrangements may include:

formal and informal meetings, including OHS

OHS representatives

hierarchy of control model to level of responsibility

OHS committees

other committees

suggestions, requests, reports and concerns put forward by employees to supervisors.