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Elements and Performance Criteria

Access sources of information and data about the work environment to identify hazardous tasks or conditions
Analyse the work environment to assess risk
Control risk associated with hazard
Monitor and review effectiveness of control strategy
Apply professional practice
- Manage collection of information and data, reporting of outcomes and maintenance of records in an ethical manner
- Identify situations where OHS specialists may be required

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to

identify areas for hazard control

analyse relevant workplace information and data

contribute to the assessment of the resources needed to systematically manage OHS and where appropriate access resources

attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes

research skills to access relevant OHS information and data

numeracy skills to carry out simple arithmetical calculations eg change and to produce graphs of workplace information and data to identify trends and recognise limitations

Required knowledge

technological skills to use basic measuring equipment including reading scales and dials applicable to selected hazards

communication skills to

conduct effective formal and informal meetings and to communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of the organization OHS specialists and as required emergency services personnel

prepare reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee OHS representatives managers and supervisors

use language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task

consultation and negotiation skills to develop plans and to implement and monitor designated actions

project management skills to achieve change in OHS matters

organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe

information technology skills to access and enter internal and external information and data on OHS and to use a range of communication media

Evidence Required

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

hazard identification analysis of the work environment and participation in the development of risk control for selected hazard types

knowledge of relevant OHS legislation acts regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

reports from other parties consulted in identifying hazards and conducting risk assessments

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 written reports on the effectiveness of the hazard identification risk assessment control and management actions taken

demonstration of techniques used to identify hazards assess associated risks control monitor and evaluate risks

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

observation of performance in role plays

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of characteristics mode of action and units of measurement of major hazard types

review of control strategies developed for the selected hazard

assessment of reports to stakeholders about the results of workplace measurements and interpretations

Guidance information for assessment

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

other OHS units

Range Statement


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.
External sources of information and data may include:	Australian Safety and Compensation Council databases with national and state injury data such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) employer groups industry bodies journals and websites legislation, codes of practice and standards manufacturers' manual and specifications OHS regulatory authorities OHS specialists unions
Hazards may include:	source or a situation with a potential for harm in terms of: injury ill health damage to property damage to the environment a combination of the above
Workplace sources of information and data may include:	employees hazard, incident and investigation reports material safety data sheets (MSDSs) minutes of meetings OHS representatives reports and audits workplace inspections
Appropriate tools may include:	checklists produced as part of codes of practice notes or drawings photographs tools developed for a specific work environment, situation or hazard tools provided by external sources or advisors
Stakeholders may include:	employees health and safety, and other employee representatives managers OHS committees supervisors
Key personnel may include:	managers in related areas people involved in OHS decision making or who are or affected by OHS decisions
OHS specialists may include:	engineers ergonomists occupational hygienists organisational psychologists toxicologists workplace injury and return to work advisors
Equipment may include basic instrumentation such as:	goniometer humidity measuring devices light meters simple gas sampling devices sound level meters temperature measuring devices
Strategies may include:	focus groups interviews questionnaires
Recognised standards may include:	codes of practice exposure standards guidance notes national and industry standards OHS regulations
Risks may include:	the chance of something happening that will result in injury or damage which are measured in terms of consequences (injury or damage) and likelihood of the consequence
Risk register may include:	list of: hazards location of hazards people exposed to the hazards possible control measures and dates for implementation range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which these hazards may cause injury or damage results of the risk assessment
Hierarchy of control may include:	eliminating hazards and where this is not practicable, minimising risk by: substitution isolating the hazard from personnel using engineering controls using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training) using PPE
Personal protective equipment is equipment designed to be worn by a person to provide protection from hazards, and may include:	clothing and footwear face and eye protection hand protection head protection hearing protection respiratory protection
Factors with a potential to impact on effectiveness of controls may include:	cultural diversity geographic location hierarchical structure language literacy and numeracy levels shift work and rostering arrangements size of organisation training required workplace culture related to OHS including commitment by managers and supervisors and compliance with procedures and training workplace organisational structures (size of organisation, geographic, hierarchical)
Ethical manner may include:	commercial-in-confidence information and data as appropriate confidentiality own currency of knowledge privacy as appropriate