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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health from agents in the workplace
  2. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health related to the interaction of the work environment, work systems and people
  3. Facilitate the control of risks to health in the workplace
  4. Participate in the development of strategies to communicate occupational health information and data
  5. Monitor and facilitate occupational health education and training
  6. Review and evaluate the occupational health program

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to

identify areas for improvement where OHS risk is involved

analyse relevant workplace information and data and to make observations of workplace tasks and interactions between people their activities equipment environment and systems

contribute to the assessment of 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

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 organisation 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

Required knowledge

basic knowledge of toxicology of hazardous materials and potential health effects in the workplace

ethics related to professional practice

formal and informal communication and consultation processes and key personnel related to communication

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on risk and the systematic approach to managing OHS for example

communication skills

cultural backgroundworkplace diversity

gender

labour market changes

language literacy and numeracy

structure and organisation of workforce eg parttime casual and contract workers shift rosters geographical location

workers with specific needs

internal and external sources of OHS information and data

key personnel including identifying change agents within workplace management structure

language literacy and cultural profile of the workgroup

methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation

nature of workplace processes including work flow planning and control and hazards relevant to the particular workplace

organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

organisational OHS policies and procedures

requirements under hazard specific OHS legislation and codes of practice

sources of occupational disease and their prevention

structure and forms of legislation including regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material

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

facilitation of strategies to assist with controlling OHS risks associated with occupational health issues

knowledge of structure and forms of legislation including regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

access to office equipment and resources

access to relevant legislation standards and guidelines

access to workplace or simulated workplace

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 OHS principles in the workplace

demonstration of techniques used to control OHS risk

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 ethics related to professional practice

evaluation of discussions with stakeholders about health effects that may result from work and the working environment

review of evaluation plan

assessment of identification of situations that require health professionals

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, associated standards and guidance material

manufacturers' manuals and specifications

OHS regulatory authorities

OHS specialists

unions.

Agents may include:

biological

chemical

ergonomic

nuclear

physical

psychosocial

radiological.

Workplace sources of information and data may include:

audits

employees

hazard, incident and investigation reports

material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

minutes of meetings

questionnaires

reports

written and verbal complaints.

Health professionals may include:

general practitioners

health educators

occupational health nurses

occupational health physicians.

Job characteristics and nature of work may include:

adequacy of equipment or faulty equipment

effectiveness of different control strategies

health effects of physical hazards in the workplace such as noise, vibration, thermal extremes

job demands such as high physical, mental or emotional demands; lack of variety; short work cycle; workload

participation in decision making and control of workload

relative costs of implementation of appropriate control strategies

toxicology of hazardous materials

workload and scheduling issues such as pace; shift work, inflexible work schedules; unpredictable, long or unsocial hours

workplace processes and the hazards they produce.

Context of work may include:

career issues including promotion, job security and skills

interpersonal relationships at work, including with supervisors and peers

organisational factors such as communication; levels of support for problem solving and personal development; changing employment patterns; definition of organisational objectives

role ambiguity, role conflict, role responsibilities.

Internal sources of information and data may include:

human resources, industrial relations, personnel management and staff

managers

occupational health and employee assistance staff

OHS and employee representatives

supervisors.

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 personal protective equipment (PPE).

Organisational communication processes may include:

formal and informal communication processes

position descriptions and performance appraisal processes

training.

Characteristics of target groups may include:

characteristics influencing communication strategies, such as access to information and data and empowerment

characteristics such as, but not limited to:

cultural background

language and literacy

location

size of workforce, group, team etc

variability of roles, responsibilities etc.

Stakeholders may include:

employees

families of employees

health and safety, and other employee representatives

local community

managers

OHS committees.

Legal requirements may include:

equity and workers with specific needs

privacy legislation

relevant OHS legislative requirements related to use of certain chemicals and processes in the workplace.

Ethical requirements may include:

confidentiality

equity

privacy

workplace diversity.

Resources may include:

financial

physical.

Evaluation plan may include:

appropriate communication strategies for the workplace

identification of relevant target groups

impact on improvements to the workplace as a result of interventions

impact on workforce

training availability including delivery schedule

training content.