Required skills

analytical skills to

identify areas for improvement with OHS incidents

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

contribute to the strategic OHS performance of the organisation

attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes

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 of information and data and effectively use anthropometric tables

research skills to access relevant OHS information and data to interpret information and data to identify areas for improvement

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

write policies and procedures plans

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 continuous improvement and change

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 media

Required knowledge

basic human cognitive and perceptual capabilities relevant to the design of humanmachine interfaces

basics of anthropometry and biomechanics

characteristics mode of action and units of measurement of major hazard types

difference between hazard and risk

direct and indirect influences that impact on OHS and the environment in the design of products

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

human error and implications for design of equipment work practices and controlling ergonomic hazards

interdependent relationships between ergonomics and workplace stressors such as psychosocial factors occupational violence shift work repetitive work awkward postures lighting thermal environment and work layout

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

legislative requirements for OHS information and data and consultation

limitations of generic hazard and risk checklists and risk ranking processes

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

other functional areas that impact on the management of OHS

pertinent sections of relevant Australian and other standards such as ASNZS Risk management National Standard for the Storage and Handling Workplace Dangerous Goods NOHSC and National Standard for Manual Handling NOHSC

physiology and functional anatomy relevant to identifying and controlling ergonomic hazards

principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing OHS

principles of duty of care including concepts of causation foreseeability preventability

principles of human behaviour and response to interactions with human physical and task environment to identify psychosocial hazards

requirements under hazardspecific OHS legislation and codes of practice

risk as a measure of uncertainty and the factors that affect risk

risk factors for manual handling injury and risk assessment techniques for manual handling

roles and responsibilities under OHS legislation of employees including supervisors contractors OHS inspectors

standard industry controls for a range of hazards

strategies for minimising risk through application of ergonomic design and engineering work layout work processes work organisation

types of hazard identification tools including job system analysis JSA

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

application of ergonomic interventions to control OHS risk in work design processes and the work environment generally in an actual workplace or simulation exercise

products developed for application of knowledge and skill in ergonomic interventions

how these products were developed

use of these products

knowledge of the interdependent relationships between ergonomics and workplace stressors

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

access to workplace

reports from other parties consulted in developing ergonomic interventions

access to relevant legislation standards guidelines information and data

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

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 physiology and functional anatomy relevant to identifying and controlling ergonomic hazards

review of recommendations made to optimise the integration of controls and display the decision making processes within the work system

written examples of reports on ergonomic risks control programs

assessment of reports about the outcomes of ergonomic assessments and interventions

evaluation of recommendations made regarding future interventions

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

Specialists advisors may include:

Stakeholders may include:

Sources of information and data may include:

Ergonomics interventions may include:

Tools and databases may include:

Legislation, codes of practice and standards may include:

Key personnel may include:

Other functional areas and management systems may include:

Resources may include: