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| 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. |
OHS legislation includes: | commonwealth, state and territory OHS Acts and regulations |
Standards include: | documents produced by national bodies, OHS regulators or industry bodies, that prescribe preventative action to avert occupational deaths, injuries and diseasesstandards are of an advisory nature only, except where a law adopts the standard and thus makes it mandatory standards may be called up as evidence in court or other enforcement action |
Codes of practice/compliance codes are: | documents generally prepared to provide advice to employers and workers, of an acceptable way of achieving standardsmay provide information for use by unions, employers, management, health and safety committee members and representatives, safety officers and others requiring guidanceCodes of practice/compliance codes may:be incorporated into regulationsnot relate to a standardbe called up as evidence in court or other enforcement action |
Guidance material: | is an advisory technical document, providing detailed information for use by unions, employers, management, health and safety committee members and representatives, safety officers and others requiring guidanceadvises on 'what to do' and 'how to do it'has no legal standing |
Other sources of OHS information include | persons, organisations and references where knowledge about OHS may be obtainedThese sources may be:internal, including:hazard, incident and investigation reports workplace inspectionsincident investigationsminutes of meetingsJob Safety Analysis (JSAs) and Risk Assessments (RAs)organisational data such as insurance records, enforcement notices and actions, workers compensation data, OHS performance datareports and auditsmaterial safety data sheets (MSDSs) and registersemployees handbooks employees including questionnaire resultsOHS advisorsmanufacturers' manuals and specificationsexternal, including: regulatory bodies and OHS Acts regulations, codes and guidance material other relevant legislationSafe Work Australia documentsdatabases such as national and state injury data OHS specialists and consultantsnewspapers and journals, trade/industry publicationsinternet sitesindustry networks and associations including unions and employer groups OHS professional bodiesspecialist advisorsresearch information |
OHS information includes: | requirements under OHS legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice/compliance codes and guidelinesrights and responsibilitiesinformation on hazards including MSDSscollated information on hazard incidents and injuriesinvestigation and audit reportsoutcomes of hazard identifications and workplace inspectionsRisk Assessments (RAs)risk controlsworkplace OHS policies and procedureswork procedurestraining records |
Risk controls include: | the devices and methods to:where practicable, eliminate the hazard where this is not practicable, minimise the risk associated with the hazard |
Legal requirements for record keeping include: | that specified under OHS legislation and regulations for:serious incident and injury reportingregistered planthazardous substances and dangerous goodsenvironmental monitoringhealth surveillanceprivacy legislation |
OHS records may include: | hazard, incident and investigation reports workplace inspection reportsincident investigation reportsfirst aid recordsminutes of meetingsjob safety analyses (JSAs) and risk assessments material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and registersplant and equipment operation records including those relevant to registered plant maintenance and testing reportstraining recordsenvironmental monitoring recordshealth surveillance records |
Participative processes include: | processes that:inform employees and other stakeholders of OHS matters and seek their inputoffer opportunity for stakeholders to participate in decisions that may impact on their health and safetyParticipative processes may also be referred to as 'consultative processes', however 'participation' implies a higher level of involvement |
Organisational policies and procedures include: | policies and procedures underpinning the management of OHS including:hazard, incident and injury reporting hazard identification, risk assessment and control and monitoringconsultation and participationincident investigation quality system documentation |
Consultation includes processes for: | seeking information or the opinions from one or more people prior to decision-makingconsultation should particularly include those who may affect the outcomes or be affected by the decisions made but may also include specialist sources |
A hazard is: | a source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these |
Specific safety related hazards may include but are not limited to: | substances e.g. chemicals, starch pulp, steamnoisemanual handlingergonomicsunderfoot hazardsslips and tripsmoving parts of machinerymobile plant |
Other workplace hazards may include, but are not limited to: | fatiguestressbullyingoccupational violence |
Incident includes: | any event that has caused or has the potential for injury, ill health or damage |
Hazard identification is | the process of identifying sources of harm an may be required:at design or pre purchase of equipment of materialsat commissioning or pre-implementation of new processes or practicesbefore new forms of work and organisation of work are implementedbefore changes are made to workplace, equipment, work processes or work arrangementsas part of planning major tasks or activities, such as equipment shutdownsfollowing an incident reportwhen new knowledge becomes availableat regular intervals during normal operationsprior to disposal of equipment, buildings or materials |
Risk: | in relation to any hazard, means the probability and consequences of injury, illness or damage resulting from exposure to a hazard |
Risk assessments | involve analysing a hazard to identify:factors influencing the risk and the range of potential consequenceseffectiveness of existing controlslikelihood of each consequence considering exposure and hazard leveland, combine these in some way to obtain a level of risk |
Hierarchy of control is | the preferred order of control measures for OHS risks:elimination controlling the hazard at the sourcesubstitution e.g. replacing one substance or activity at the sourceengineering e.g. installing guards on machineryadministration policies and procedures for safe work practicesPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) e.g. respirators, ear plugs |
Expert advisers include: | persons either internal or external to the organisation including:safety professionals ergonomistsoccupational hygienistsaudiologistssafety engineers toxicologists occupational health professionalsand, other persons providing specific technical knowledge or expertise in areas related to OHS including: risk managers health professionals injury management advisorslegal practitioners with experience in OHSengineers (such as design, acoustic, mechanical, civil)security and emergency response personnelworkplace trainers and assessorsmaintenance and tradepersons |
OHS induction includes: | the processes by which new employees are introduced to, and acquainted with their job and the new workplace, including familiarisation with:hazards and risks associated with the workrisk control measureswelfare facilitiesemergency response procedures |
Stakeholders are: | those people or organisations who may be affected by, or perceive themselves to be affected by an activity or decision including:managerssupervisorshealth and safety and other employee representativesOHS committeesemployees and contractorsthe community |
OHS action plans include: | documented plans developed within the workplace to implement a systematic approach to OHS management and contain:actions that support an integrated strategy to address deficiencies, meet obligations or provide or improved outcomesallocated responsibilitiestimeframes |