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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify sources of risk to personal safety, assess the level of risk and follow risk minimisation procedures
  2. Identify manual handling hazards, assess related risk and follow risk minimisation procedures
  3. Identify sources of infection and apply industry accepted practice to minimise risk of infection to themselves, clients and others
  4. Identify other hazards and assess risk
  5. Follow procedures and strategies for risk control
  6. Contribute to OHS in the workplace

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include

Awareness of all relevant workplace procedures including

hazard management policies and procedures

care plans and work instruction

procedures for the use of manual handling and mobility equipment personal protective equipment duress and other alarms

emergency fire and incident procedures

Awareness that OHS issues are regulated by Stateterritory acts regulations codes of practice and industry standards

Basic concepts of likelihood of occurrence and consequences severity of injury

Basic home fire safety

Basic understanding of sources of infection and means to minimise transfer of infectious diseases

Duty of care within the respective scope of responsibilities in accordance with general OHS acts and regulations as well as respective state and national standards

Knowledge and understanding of the workplace OHS system sufficient to recognise situations affecting OHS and to take the appropriate action to rectify the situation including specific awareness of manual handling hazards as well as general awareness of other hazards that occur in the sector

Knowledge of the relationship between OHS and sustainability in the workplace including how the maintenance of health and safety contributes to environmental economic workforce and social sustainability

Meaning of OHS signs and symbols relevant to the work area

Significance of service provision setting

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Apply and describe procedures for

recognising hazards particularly with regard to manual handling in the workplace

reporting hazards identified using documented organisation processes

Identify manual handling risk and modify work practices appropriately

Identify risks to personal safety and apply accepted practices to minimise risk

Demonstrate standard infection control procedures including use of approved hand washing techniques

Work safely and follow the enterprises OHS policies and procedures

Identify report and manage workplace hazards within the limits of worker control

Undertake appropriate observation and reporting

In addition the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to

Access and use manual handling equipment commonly available in the industry sector to reduce risks associated with manual handling

Communicate OHS issues to designated personnel

Demonstrate correct use of equipment according to organisation and manufacturer instructions

Exercise duty of care within the respective scope of responsibilities in accordance with general OHS acts and regulations as well as respective state and national standards

Identify clientrelated risk factors and modify approach and choice of equipment to minimise risk

Implement work processes and practices to prevent or minimise risk

Recognise potential situations that require action and then implement appropriate corrective action as much as possible to eliminate risk

Refer to and apply safe work practices

Solve problems

Take into account and use opportunities to address waste minimisation environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use body biomechanics as a supplement to other manual handling risk reduction strategies to reduce the risk in routine tasks

continued

Essential skills contd

Use reading and writing skills appropriate literacy competence as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by organisationservice and to access information in care plans read labels and workplace procedures

literacy support in the workplace may range from having access to support or assistance from expertmentorsupervisor to having no communication supports available

literacy may be required in English a community language or Braille etc depending on the language used in pamphlets or workplace manual

Apply communication skills language competence as required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisationservice

assessors should look for skills in asking questions providing clear information including to client and coworker listening to and understanding workplace instructions and clarifying workplace instructions when necessary

serviceorganisation may require competence in English or community language depending on client group

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects of assessment

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Simulation should be based on the actual work setting and must include demonstration of practical skills such as use of appropriate equipment

Simulations may also include the use of case studies scenarios and role play

In addition to the practical skills this unit of competency requires a body of knowledge which may be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on site during demonstration of normal procedures and walk throughs of abnormal ones and off site eg in transit home visits telephone counselling etc

Assessment will occur over a range of situations that may include disruptions to normal smooth operations

Assessment may need to be conducted over an extended period of time or on more than one occasion to cover the relevant range of situations

Within the limits of worker client and public safety and the requirements of the competency consideration must be given to workers whose literacy skills are limited andor who are physically andor intellectually disabled

Access and equity considerations

All workers in community services should be aware of access equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to

Client handling and mobility devices commonly used in the industry sector including patient hoists standing lifter wheelchair slide sheets and other client assistive devices and mobility aids

Recognised risk control strategies

Appropriate equipment

Workplace health and safety policies and procedures

Other related policies and procedures

Duties statements andor job descriptions

Sample care plans

Method of assessment

Assessment may be best conducted using a range of practical exercises and scenarioscase studieswhat ifs as well as through questions to check the reasoning behind the observable actions

These assessment activities should include a range of routine problems that may have been generated from the past incident history and hazardous incidents in similar work contexts within the sector andor industry

A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment


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. Add any 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.

Definition of hazard:

A 'hazard' is something with the potential to cause injury or disease to people, damage to property or disruption to productivity

Hazards arise, for example, from workplace environment; use of plant for example and equipment; poor work design; inappropriate systems, procedures and/or human behaviour

Legislative requirements include:

The legislative requirements for manual handling and for OHS consultation and participation vary in different states and the requirements of the particular state should be reflected in the training and assessment processes including OHS industry guides

Examples of manual handling hazards in the aged care and disabilities sectors include:

Carrying trays and other items

Lifting tasks such as moving a person in bed, assisting to stand, transfer to chair or wheelchair, lifting objects

Pushing pulling tasks such as pushing trolleys, wheel chairs, shower chairs, dressing clients

Reaching and postural tasks such as feeding a person, showering

Restraining tasks

The risk factors for manual handling are influenced by:

Duration and frequency of the task

Environmental conditions such as underfoot conditions, lighting, heat

Forces exerted

In people-handling the risk is also affected by the:

ability of client to support/control part/whole of the body

predictability in movement and behaviours

pain levels

ability to follow instructions

any equipment attached to the client
e.g. catheters, IVs etc

client clothing

Movement undertaken

Postures adopted

Manual handling equipment may include:

Client hoists

Other manual handling assistive devices

Slide sheets

Standing lifters

Sources of risk to personal safety:

Behaviours of concern

Personal risks may arise from clients, client family, the public or animals

Risk environments may be in access to work (e.g. car parking arrangements, access to private home) and in carrying out work

Situations with a higher risk of threat and client related factors may be identified from incident reports, care plans, case management meetings

Working new, isolated and/or potentially unstable environments

Examples of workplace hazards in aged care, home and community care and disabilities sectors (other than manual handling) may include:

Biological hazards including body fluids; contaminated food; soiled clothing and linen; clinical waste; syringes and other 'sharps'; etc

Chemicals (e.g. toxic or hazardous substances, gases and liquids under pressure, includes cleaning chemicals)

Electrical hazards related to use of equipment, faulty wiring

Equipment including suitability for purpose and fitness for use

Personal threat by (e.g. through behaviours of concern) clients and/or visitors

Work organisation issues such as shift work or irregular hours/on call

Work-related environment (e.g. underfoot, lighting, space, noise, air quality, furniture/fittings, car parking etc)

Work-related stress

Standard precautions include:

Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instruments

Aseptic technique

Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (e.g. before and after client contact)

Safe disposal of sharps and other clinical waste

Safe handling of sharps

Surface cleaning and management of blood and body fluid spills

Techniques to limit contamination

Use of personal protective equipment

Additional precautions may include:

Additional use of personal protective equipment

Dedicated equipment (e.g. to each client or as appropriate to work function)

Special ventilation requirements

Organisation procedures for managing risks, including those related to manual handling may be:

Client assessment documents and care plans

Communication, consultation and issue resolution procedures

Hazard management documents include policies and procedures on specific hazards as well as hazard and incident reporting (including follow up to sharps incidents) and investigation, workplace inspections, maintenance etc

Hazard management policies and procedures (these may be integrated with quality, care or other documents or be separated as OHS policies and procedures)

Human resources management procedures such as harassment and grievance procedures, induction programs, team meetings, management of performance levels

Job procedures and work instructions

Other related procedures including waste management, security

Post incident/injury management such as first aid, critical incident debriefing, compensation and return to work

Strategies for reducing the amount of manual handling required and manual handling risk

Supporting people with behaviours of concern

Work instructions may be:

In a community language

In English

Provided visually e.g. video, OHS signs, symbols and other pictorial presentation, etc.

Verbal

Work instructions include care plans and there should be an awareness of their role in risk management especially in risks associated with manual handling and behaviours of concern

Written

Designated personnel for OHS referrals may be:

Elected OHS representative/employee representative

Employer

OHS Committee chairperson

OHS nominee

Other personnel with OHS responsibilities

Supervisor

Examples of OHS issues which may be raised by workers with designated personnel may include:

Clarification on understanding of OHS policies and procedures

Communication and consultation processes, including carer input to care plans

Effectiveness of risk controls in place

Follow up to reports and feedback

Hazards identified

OHS impact of the changing condition of clients

Problems encountered in managing risks associated with hazards, in particular, manual handling
(e.g. availability and appropriateness of handling and mobility equipment) and behaviours of concern

Training needs

Examples of contributions may include:

Attendance at meetings

Behaviour that contributes to a safe working environment which includes following OHS procedures

Identifying and reporting risks and hazards

Input to care plans

Listening to the ideas and opinions of others in the team

Recommendations on changes to work processes, equipment or practices

Sharing opinions, views, knowledge and skills

Using equipment according to guidelines and operating manuals

Examples of participative arrangements may include:

Documented issue resolution processes

Easy access to relevant written workplace information

Formal and informal OHS meetings

Health and safety committees

Meetings called by OHS representatives

Other committees such as consultative planning and purchasing

Other means and processes for raising requests and concerns as well as contributing suggestions and reports to management

Regular information sessions (using clear and understandable language) on existing or new OHS issues

Team meeting and case management meetings

Risk control in the work area may include:

Application of the hierarchy of control, namely:

Eliminate the risk

Reduce/minimise the risk through:

universal precautions

engineering controls

administrative controls including training

personal protective equipment

Controlling manual handlingrisks in the work area may include:

Changes to the load or client

Changes to work organisation or work practices

Changes to workplace layout

Minimising amount of handling

Provision of equipment

Task-specific training

Report hazards in the work areamay be verbal or written and may include:

Face-to-face

Memos

Notes

Phone messages

Specially designed report forms

Basic home fire safety includes knowledge of:

Behaviour that may contribute to fire injury and/or fatality

High fire risk groups

Optimum placement of smoke alarms

Referring client for smoke alarm installation and maintenance

Role of a working smoke alarm

Smoke alarm testing and cleaning

Types of smoke alarms