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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify, control and report OHS and environmental hazards
   • Routinely check immediate work area for hazards prior to commencing and during work
   • Address hazards within area of responsibility
   • Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel according to enterprise policies and procedures
2. Conduct work safely
   • Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment
   • Follow enterprise procedures when carrying out work tasks
   • Keep all work areas clean and free from obstacles
   • Maintain enterprise standards of personal hygiene
   • Safely store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials and dangerous goods
3. Follow incident and emergency response procedures
   • Identify incident and emergency situations
   • Report and record incident and emergency situations according to enterprise procedures
   • Follow incident and emergency procedures as appropriate to the nature of emergency, using emergency equipment according to enterprise procedures
4. Contribute to OHS in the workplace
   • Raise OHS and environmental issues with designated personnel in accordance with enterprise procedures and legislated rights and obligations of employees
   • Participate in OHS activities within scope of responsibilities.

Required Skills

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence

Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard In particular assessors should look to see that the candidate

demonstrates the ability to recognise potential incidents and take appropriate corrective action

can demonstrate workplace fire drill incident first aid and emergency evacuation procedures

follows OHS and environmental policies and procedures for hazard identification and risk control including the use storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment

follows enterprise instructions and procedures relating to storage transport and disposal of dangerous goods

follows instructions designed to ensure the correct labelling of samples and reagents

uses equipment to protect health and safety

communicates health and safety and environmental issues promptly with designated personnel

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain

roles rights and responsibilities of self and employer

signage symbols and signals relating to OHS

hazards commonly found in own job and work area and standard risk controls

location and purpose of personal protective equipment and emergencyhazard control equipment in the work area including first aid facilities and personnel

use care and storage requirements for personal protective clothing and equipment used

location of advice and information on OHS issues including Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs

requirements and procedures for reporting OHS hazards and incidents including injuries illness and near misses

the processes for raising a health and safety issue or concern

safe work practices including handling storage and disposal of hazardous substances and requirements for labelling of hazardous substances

work practices for use of handling equipment and any taskspecific manual handling techniques as required by work role according to enterprise procedures

standard operating procedures for equipment used and key safety elements of the procedures

environmental impacts and effects of interaction with hazards in the work area

enterprise procedures and instructions that govern personal work incidents and emergencies

reporting requirements for OHS issues and potentially hazardous situations

Knowledge is also required of the

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

enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures

Assessment context and methods

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment The following assessment methods are suggested

observation of the candidate preparing for and undertaking a range of work tasks

written andor oral questioning to assess underpinning knowledge and likely reactions in hazardousemergency situations

feedback from peers and supervisors

review of candidates responses to case studies scenarios andor what ifs

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with any other technical units in the context of the need to perform all work safely

Resource implications

Resources may include

laboratoryfield work environment equipment and materials

personal protective equipment

enterprise procedures

This competency in practice

Manufacturing

A laboratory assistant working in a laboratory was asked to produce a particular solventborne paint Because of the hazardous nature of the task the assistant referred to the material safety data sheets MSDSs which specified that a particular respirator and gloves be used The assistant followed the requirements and safely prepared the batch of paint

Food and beverage processing

One task of a laboratory assistant in a food processing company is the determination of total nitrogen in food samples by the Kjeldahl method The assay involves digestion of the food with an aliquot of hydrogen peroxide and several other reagents at more than C The assistant is familiar with the materials safety data sheets MSDSs for hydrogen peroxide and uses this chemical with appropriate caution and personal protective equipment Small spills of hydrogen peroxide sometimes occur The assistant knows to clean these up immediately by liberally diluting the spill with water mopping it up with a cloth and washing the hydrogen peroxide from the cloth into a sink with copious amounts of water This attention to cleanliness is essential to minimise the risk of injury because hydrogen peroxide has the appearance of water Unlike water it is corrosive to skin and presents a serious fire or explosion hazard if it should come into contact with many of the chemicals used in the laboratory

Biomedical

After performing and verifying cell counts of plated samples a technical assistant proceeded to dispose of the waste The wastes were placed in a biohazard bag The bag was sealed with a sterilisation indicator sticker that was clearly visible and placed in the autoclave The assistant checked the colour of the indicator sticker to ensure that the waste was correctly processed before disposing of the bag in accordance with standard operating procedures

Key Competencies

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit These are standalone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework AQF

Level represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively

Level represents the competence to manage tasks

Level represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks

Collecting analysing and organising information	Communicating ideas and information	Planning and organising activities	Working with others and in teams	Using mathematical ideas and techniques	Solving problems	Using technology
Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level

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Range Statement

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Personnel work in accordance with work instructions and standard operating procedures which incorporate all relevant aspects of OHS legislation and the codes, guidelines, regulations and Australian standards applying to environmental hazards and dangerous goods.

OHS legislation is state and territory based and includes general OHS Act and hazard specific regulations and Codes of Practice especially those relating to environmental hazards and dangerous goods.

Industry standards, codes and guidelines include:

AS 2243 Safety in laboratories

AS 2982 Hand washing facilities

AS 2243.8 Fume hoods

AS 2252 Biological safety cabinets

SAA HB9 Occupational personal protection, and other relevant standards for protective, clothing (for example, AS 2161, AS 2210, AS 1337 and AS 1338)

AS 1678 Emergency procedures guide for hazardous materials

AS 2500 Storage of goods

AS 2503 Safety storage and handling of information cards

AS 1940 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS 3780 Storage and handling or corrosive liquids

AS 4452 Storage and handling of toxic substances

standards for the segregation of wastes, such as AS 2243.3 and AS 2243.4

AS/NEC/ISO 14000

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Code for Transport of Dangerous Goods

guidelines for the operation of classes of laboratories

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service guidelines for the importation of biological products

National Code of Practice for the labelling of workplace substances (NOHSC:2012)

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guidelines for working with genetically altered organisms.

Routine checks may include:

general housekeeping checks, such as obstructions which may cause trip hazards

checking of safety equipment, such as eye wash stations

checking reagents and equipment are safe to use

checking availability of emergency equipment

checking functionality of personal protective equipment.

A hazard is a source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, the environment or a combination of these. Physical hazards may be considered to be sources of energy that, if not controlled may cause injury or damage.

Hazards may include:

electric shock

microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids

solar radiation, dust, noise

chemicals, such as acids, heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons

aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes, pipetting

radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray, neutron

sharps, broken glassware and hand tools

flammable liquids

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure, such as steam, hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography, acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry

sources of ignition

high temperature ashing processes

disturbance or interruption of services

occupational overuse syndrome, slips, trips and falls

manual handling, working at heights and in confined spaces

crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects

pedestrian and vehicular traffic

vehicle and boat handling.

Addressing hazards may include:

hazard and incident reporting and investigation procedures

elimination

substitution, such as review of nature of substances or processes used

isolation, such as:

use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets

Class PCII, PCIII, and PCIV physical containment laboratories

engineering

administrative procedures, such as:

ensuring access to service shut off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures

applying containment procedures

following established manual handling procedures for tasks involving manual handling

use of appropriate equipment and procedures to avoid personal contamination and contamination of others

following risk control measures to minimise environmental hazards

use of practices which minimise waste

reporting to appropriate personnel of abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates

minimising exposure to radiation, such as lasers, electromagnetic and ultraviolet

use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)

use of signage, barriers and service isolation tags

use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators and safety boots.

Factors, such as inadequate work practices, lack of training or fatigue are not hazards but are conditions that may result in the loss of control of the hazard and cause injury or damage.

Designated personnel may include the laboratory manager, supervisor, OHS coordinator and OHS representative.

Enterprise policies and procedures may include instructions for:

all OHS specific procedures, such as for 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 personal protective clothing and equipment.

An incident is an event that has cause or has the potential for injury, ill-health or damage. Incidents and emergencies may include:

workplace injury and accidents - cutting, stabbing, puncturing, crushing, immersion in water, suffocation, hypothermia, burns, heat stress, animal bites, allergic reactions, assaults

biological, chemical or radioactive spills; fire; bomb threat; security threat; explosion.

Emergency equipment may include first aid equipment, eye wash kit or shower and fire extinguisher.

Participating in OHS activities include:

seeking assistance to clarify obligations and procedures

clarifying work instructions that impact on safety and legal liability.

OHS and environmental issues which may need to be raised by employees with designated personnel may include:

identification of hazards not otherwise addressed

assessment of risk and decisions on 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 OHS policies and procedures.

Health, safety and environment

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

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