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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify, control and report WHS and environmental hazards
  2. Conduct work safely
  3. Follow incident and emergency response procedures
  4. Contribute to health and safety in the workplace

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards, guidelines and codes covering safety in laboratories; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; environmental management; physical containment levels and facility types

specific industry codes, such as Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice

national WHS standards and codes of practice

Designated personnel

Designated personnel include:

laboratory manager, supervisor, WHS coordinator and WHS representative

Workplace policies and procedures

Workplace policies and procedures refer to one or more of the following:

WHS specific procedures, such as hazard and incident reporting, communication, consultation and issue resolution, and risk management

controlling known hazards

minimising environmental threats

minimising and disposing of waste

responding to safety, emergency, fire and incidents

selecting/using PPE

Incidents

Incidents include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

workplace accidents and near misses

biological, chemical or radioactive spills

workplace injuries, such as cutting, stabbing, puncturing, crushing, immersion in water, suffocation, hypothermia, burns, heat stress, animal bites, allergic reactions and assaults

emergency situations, such as fire, bomb threat, security threat and explosion

WHS and environmental issues

WHS and environmental issues include one or more of:

identification of hazards not otherwise addressed

assessment of risk and decisions about measures to control risk

risk reduction measures

problems with implementation of controls

problems with recycling, by-product collection and waste disposal

investigation of injury and incidents

clarification of understanding of WHS policies and procedures

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant


Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

working safely at all times by following work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures

following workplace incident, first aid and emergency response procedures

identifying hazards and controlling risks

performing routine safety checks, including:

conducting general housekeeping, such as recognising possible trip hazards

checking functionality of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment

inspecting reagents, equipment and instruments

checking availability of emergency equipment

seeking assistance to clarify obligations, procedures and work instructions that impact on safety and legal liability

recognising potential incidents and taking appropriate corrective action

reporting hazards and incidents

communicating WHS and environmental issues or concerns to designated personnel promptly

participating in workplace fire drill, incident, first aid and emergency evacuation procedures

using, storing and maintaining PPE

storing, transporting and disposing of dangerous goods following workplace instructions and procedures.


Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

personal roles, rights and responsibilities and those of the employer

signage, symbols and signals relating to WHS

examples of hazards relevant to the work area, likely impacts and ways of addressing these using the hierarchy of control

site layout, including emergency exits, location and use of safety alarms, emergency response system and procedures, and designated WHS personnel

location, use, care and storage requirements for PPE and emergency/hazard control equipment in the work area

sources of advice and information on WHS issues, including material safety data sheets (MSDS) and key personnel

requirements and procedures for reporting (potential) WHS hazards and incidents, injuries, illness and near misses, and safety and environmental issues or concerns

standard operating procedures (SOPs), workplace procedures and safe work practices relevant to job role, including:

handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances and requirements for labelling of hazardous substances

handling equipment and any task-specific manual handling techniques as required by work role

instructions that govern personal work, equipment use, and response to incidents and emergencies.