Assessor Resource

SIFEWHS001
Follow mortuary work health and safety procedures

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply work health and safety/occupational health and safety legislation and codes of practice in a mortuary environment. It applies to embalming staff and other funeral home staff involved in mortuary work and body preparation and who are required to follow in accordance to work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Apply workplace safety, security and emergency procedures.

1.1 Identify and apply relevant workplace policies and procedures.

1.2 Recognise and report workplace hazards and unsafe situations to appropriate personnel.

1.3 Locate and use emergency equipment.

2. Perform safe manual handling.

2.1 Identify and assess manual handling requirements.

2.2 Select and plan lifting technique according to manual handling requirements.

2.3 Prepare and clear work area of obstacles and hazards as required.

2.4 Apply correct lifting, carrying and placement techniques according to manual handling requirements.

2.5 Apply safety precautions when using mechanical aids.

2.6 Coordinate multiple person manual handling tasks as required.

3. Implement strategies to prevent infection in the workplace.

3.1 Apply personal hygiene practices and standard precautions.

3.2 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment.

3.3 Handle and dispose of potentially infectious waste.

4. Handle and store hazardous substances safely.

4.1 Recognise hazardous substances from available workplace information.

4.2 Identify and apply storage requirements for hazardous substances according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.3 Comply with signage for hazardous substances.

4.4 Identify problems with signage and take corrective action when required.

4.5 Check and use personal protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.6 Use, handle and dispose of hazardous substances according to manufacturer guidelines, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.7 Identify and comply with accident reporting procedures.

4.8 Check and use trolleys and take corrective action where required.

4.9 Examine and use emergency equipment and take corrective action where required.

5. Use strategies to prevent work overload.

5.1 Observe nominated rest times and breaks.

5.2 Identify workload and raise potential issues with appropriate staff.

5.3 Clarify and observe work roles.

5.4 Ensure debriefing opportunities as required.

6. Carry out general housekeeping.

6.1 Monitor cleanliness, safety and tidiness of workplace and remove general waste as required.

6.2 Use, maintain and store housekeeping equipment and supplies according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer guidelines.

6.3 Tag damaged items and notify appropriate personnel of maintenance requirements.

6.4 Report housekeeping issues to appropriate personnel according to workplace policies and procedures.

7. Comply with documentation and reporting requirements.

7.1 Complete work health and safety incident and accident reports according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

7.2 Report ongoing workplace hazards to appropriate personnel according to and relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

Evidence of the ability to:

follow predetermined health, safety and infection control procedures

handle hazardous substances for a given mortuary operation and in line with regulatory requirements.

Evidence of performance of incorporating mortuary work health and safety procedures in workplace activities on five or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and infection control for a mortuary environment

purpose of the legal requirement to work according to health, safety and security procedures and inflection control in a mortuary environment, and the implications for not following those procedures

employer’s and employee’s responsibilities under work health and safety/occupational health and safety legislation

workplace policies and procedures in relation to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and inflection control for a mortuary environment

mortuary workplace hazards, including:

manual handling

toxic substances

industrial gases

body fluids and human tissue

infections

fire

infectious waste

sharps

chemical spills

dust and vapours

noise, light and energy sources

electrical equipment

vehicles

personal lifestyle

workplace stress

people

reporting hazards procedures and responsible personnel

use and purpose of emergency equipment

manual handling procedures

personal hygiene practices, including:

maintenance of cleanliness of work clothes

hand washing

food hygiene practices

use of personal protective equipment

standard precautions, including:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers’ hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids

infectious and contaminated waste in a mortuary, including:

body parts

human tissue

human blood and body fluid

materials and equipment containing human blood and body fluid

contaminated garments

soiled dressings, sharps, swabs, catheters and bandages

properties of hazardous substances

environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances disposal techniques in a mortuary

equipment and materials used to carry out housekeeping.

Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that is as industry realistic as possible. In a simulated environment, it is essential that assessment is conducted:

using suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

a mortuary facility where deceased bodies and hazardous wastes are handled

housekeeping equipment, cleaning and disinfecting products and materials, infectious waste disposal equipment and personal protective equipment

workplace policies and procedures and template documents used for the management of work health and safety/occupational health and safety practices

under industry operating conditions where there is:

integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role

interaction with team members

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Apply workplace safety, security and emergency procedures.

1.1 Identify and apply relevant workplace policies and procedures.

1.2 Recognise and report workplace hazards and unsafe situations to appropriate personnel.

1.3 Locate and use emergency equipment.

2. Perform safe manual handling.

2.1 Identify and assess manual handling requirements.

2.2 Select and plan lifting technique according to manual handling requirements.

2.3 Prepare and clear work area of obstacles and hazards as required.

2.4 Apply correct lifting, carrying and placement techniques according to manual handling requirements.

2.5 Apply safety precautions when using mechanical aids.

2.6 Coordinate multiple person manual handling tasks as required.

3. Implement strategies to prevent infection in the workplace.

3.1 Apply personal hygiene practices and standard precautions.

3.2 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment.

3.3 Handle and dispose of potentially infectious waste.

4. Handle and store hazardous substances safely.

4.1 Recognise hazardous substances from available workplace information.

4.2 Identify and apply storage requirements for hazardous substances according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.3 Comply with signage for hazardous substances.

4.4 Identify problems with signage and take corrective action when required.

4.5 Check and use personal protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals according to workplace policies and procedures.

4.6 Use, handle and dispose of hazardous substances according to manufacturer guidelines, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

4.7 Identify and comply with accident reporting procedures.

4.8 Check and use trolleys and take corrective action where required.

4.9 Examine and use emergency equipment and take corrective action where required.

5. Use strategies to prevent work overload.

5.1 Observe nominated rest times and breaks.

5.2 Identify workload and raise potential issues with appropriate staff.

5.3 Clarify and observe work roles.

5.4 Ensure debriefing opportunities as required.

6. Carry out general housekeeping.

6.1 Monitor cleanliness, safety and tidiness of workplace and remove general waste as required.

6.2 Use, maintain and store housekeeping equipment and supplies according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer guidelines.

6.3 Tag damaged items and notify appropriate personnel of maintenance requirements.

6.4 Report housekeeping issues to appropriate personnel according to workplace policies and procedures.

7. Comply with documentation and reporting requirements.

7.1 Complete work health and safety incident and accident reports according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

7.2 Report ongoing workplace hazards to appropriate personnel according to and relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

Evidence of the ability to:

follow predetermined health, safety and infection control procedures

handle hazardous substances for a given mortuary operation and in line with regulatory requirements.

Evidence of performance of incorporating mortuary work health and safety procedures in workplace activities on five or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and infection control for a mortuary environment

purpose of the legal requirement to work according to health, safety and security procedures and inflection control in a mortuary environment, and the implications for not following those procedures

employer’s and employee’s responsibilities under work health and safety/occupational health and safety legislation

workplace policies and procedures in relation to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and inflection control for a mortuary environment

mortuary workplace hazards, including:

manual handling

toxic substances

industrial gases

body fluids and human tissue

infections

fire

infectious waste

sharps

chemical spills

dust and vapours

noise, light and energy sources

electrical equipment

vehicles

personal lifestyle

workplace stress

people

reporting hazards procedures and responsible personnel

use and purpose of emergency equipment

manual handling procedures

personal hygiene practices, including:

maintenance of cleanliness of work clothes

hand washing

food hygiene practices

use of personal protective equipment

standard precautions, including:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers’ hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids

infectious and contaminated waste in a mortuary, including:

body parts

human tissue

human blood and body fluid

materials and equipment containing human blood and body fluid

contaminated garments

soiled dressings, sharps, swabs, catheters and bandages

properties of hazardous substances

environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances disposal techniques in a mortuary

equipment and materials used to carry out housekeeping.

Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that is as industry realistic as possible. In a simulated environment, it is essential that assessment is conducted:

using suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

a mortuary facility where deceased bodies and hazardous wastes are handled

housekeeping equipment, cleaning and disinfecting products and materials, infectious waste disposal equipment and personal protective equipment

workplace policies and procedures and template documents used for the management of work health and safety/occupational health and safety practices

under industry operating conditions where there is:

integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role

interaction with team members

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify and apply relevant workplace policies and procedures. 
Recognise and report workplace hazards and unsafe situations to appropriate personnel. 
Locate and use emergency equipment. 
Identify and assess manual handling requirements. 
Select and plan lifting technique according to manual handling requirements. 
Prepare and clear work area of obstacles and hazards as required. 
Apply correct lifting, carrying and placement techniques according to manual handling requirements. 
Apply safety precautions when using mechanical aids. 
Coordinate multiple person manual handling tasks as required. 
Apply personal hygiene practices and standard precautions. 
Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment. 
Handle and dispose of potentially infectious waste. 
Recognise hazardous substances from available workplace information. 
Identify and apply storage requirements for hazardous substances according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Comply with signage for hazardous substances. 
Identify problems with signage and take corrective action when required. 
Check and use personal protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Use, handle and dispose of hazardous substances according to manufacturer guidelines, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and comply with accident reporting procedures. 
Check and use trolleys and take corrective action where required. 
Examine and use emergency equipment and take corrective action where required. 
Observe nominated rest times and breaks. 
Identify workload and raise potential issues with appropriate staff. 
Clarify and observe work roles. 
Ensure debriefing opportunities as required. 
Monitor cleanliness, safety and tidiness of workplace and remove general waste as required. 
Use, maintain and store housekeeping equipment and supplies according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer guidelines. 
Tag damaged items and notify appropriate personnel of maintenance requirements. 
Report housekeeping issues to appropriate personnel according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Complete work health and safety incident and accident reports according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Report ongoing workplace hazards to appropriate personnel according to and relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and apply relevant workplace policies and procedures. 
Recognise and report workplace hazards and unsafe situations to appropriate personnel. 
Locate and use emergency equipment. 
Identify and assess manual handling requirements. 
Select and plan lifting technique according to manual handling requirements. 
Prepare and clear work area of obstacles and hazards as required. 
Apply correct lifting, carrying and placement techniques according to manual handling requirements. 
Apply safety precautions when using mechanical aids. 
Coordinate multiple person manual handling tasks as required. 
Apply personal hygiene practices and standard precautions. 
Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment. 
Handle and dispose of potentially infectious waste. 
Recognise hazardous substances from available workplace information. 
Identify and apply storage requirements for hazardous substances according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Comply with signage for hazardous substances. 
Identify problems with signage and take corrective action when required. 
Check and use personal protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Use, handle and dispose of hazardous substances according to manufacturer guidelines, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and comply with accident reporting procedures. 
Check and use trolleys and take corrective action where required. 
Examine and use emergency equipment and take corrective action where required. 
Observe nominated rest times and breaks. 
Identify workload and raise potential issues with appropriate staff. 
Clarify and observe work roles. 
Ensure debriefing opportunities as required. 
Monitor cleanliness, safety and tidiness of workplace and remove general waste as required. 
Use, maintain and store housekeeping equipment and supplies according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer guidelines. 
Tag damaged items and notify appropriate personnel of maintenance requirements. 
Report housekeeping issues to appropriate personnel according to workplace policies and procedures. 
Complete work health and safety incident and accident reports according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Report ongoing workplace hazards to appropriate personnel according to and relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFEWHS001 - Follow mortuary work health and safety procedures
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

SIFEWHS001 - Follow mortuary work health and safety procedures

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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