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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health from agents in the workplace
  2. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health related to the interaction of the work environment, work systems and people
  3. Facilitate the control of risks to health in the workplace
  4. Participate in the development of strategies to communicate occupational health information and data
  5. Monitor and facilitate occupational health, education training
  6. Review and evaluate the occupational health program
  7. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health from agents in the workplace
  8. Identify the potential for adverse effects on health related to the interaction of the work environment, work systems and people
  9. Facilitate the control of risks to health in the workplace
  10. Participate in the development of strategies to communicate occupational health information and data
  11. Monitor and facilitate occupational health, education training
  12. Review and evaluate the occupational health program

Required Skills

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

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in

relating to people from a range of social cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

communicating effectively with personnel at all levels of organisation and OHS specialists and as required emergency service personnel

preparing more detailed reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee OHS representatives managers and supervisors

applying continuous improvement and action planning processes

managing own tasks within time frame

using consultation and negotiation skills particularly in relation to developing plans and implementing and monitoring designated actions

contributing to the assessment of the resources needed to systematically manage OHS and where appropriate access resources

analysing relevant workplace information and data and make observations including of workplace tasks and interactions between people their activities equipment environment and systems

carrying out simple arithmetical calculations eg change and produce graphs of workplace information and data to identify trends and recognise limitations

using language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task

using basic computer and information technology skills to access internal and external information and data on OHS

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of

structure and forms of legislation including regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material

methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation

requirements under hazard specific OHS legislation and codes of practice

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

internal and external sources of OHS information and data

how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on risk and the systematic approach to managing OHS eg

labour market changes

structure and organisation of workforce eg parttime casual and contract workers shift rosters geographical location

language literacy and numeracy

communication skills

cultural backgroundworkplace diversity

gender

workers with special needs

basic knowledge of organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

ethics related to professional practice

knowledge of organisational OHS policies and procedures

nature of workplace processes including work flow planning and control and hazards relevant to the particular workplace

sources of occupational disease and their prevention

basic knowledge of toxicology of hazardous materials and potential health effects in the workplace

key personnel including identifying change agents within workplace management structure

formal and informal communication and consultation processes and key personnel related to communication

language literacy and cultural profile of the workgroup

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor performance criteria The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package

Units to be assessed together

Coassessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include

PSPETHCB Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOVA Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPLEGNB Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPSOHSA Participate in the coordination and maintenance of a systematic approach to managing OHS

PSPSOHS501A Participate in the coordination and maintenance of a systematic approach to managing OHS

PSPSOHSA Apply principles of OHS risk management

PSPSOHS504A Apply principles of OHS risk management

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria look for evidence that confirms

knowledge requirements of this unit

skill requirements of this unit

application of employability skills as they relate to this unit

Resources required to carry out assessment

Resources essential for assessment include

legislation policy procedures and protocols relating to the control of OHS risk

workplace documentation case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when facilitating the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when facilitating the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

facilitating the application of principles of occupational health to control OHS risk in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time

Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands such as literacy and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace andor training courses and may include a combination of two or more of

workplace projects

simulation or role plays

case studies and scenarios

observation

portfolios

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

Range Statement

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.

External sources of information and data may include:

OHS regulatory authorities

National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)

industry bodies

employer groups

unions

OHS specialists

legislation, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

databases such as national and state injury data, NICNAS (National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme)

journals and web sites

manufacturers' manuals and specifications

Agents may be:

chemical

physical

biological

ergonomic

psychosocial

Workplace sources of information and data may include:

employees

hazard, incident and investigation reports

written and verbal complaints

minutes of meetings

reports

audits

material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

questionnaires

Health professionals may include:

occupational health physicians

general practitioners

occupational health nurses

health educators

Job characteristics and nature of work may include:

workplace processes and the hazards they produce

toxicology of hazardous materials

health effects of physical hazards in the workplace such as noise, vibration, thermal extremes

effectiveness of different control strategies

relative costs of implementation of appropriate control strategies

job demands such as high physical, mental or emotional demands; lack of variety; short work cycle; workload

work load and scheduling issues such as pace; shift work, inflexible work schedules; unpredictable, long or unsocial hours

participation in decision making and control of workload

adequacy of or faulty equipment

Context of work may include:

organisational factors such as communication; levels of support for problem solving and personal development; changing employment patterns; and definition of organisational objectives

interpersonal relationships at work, including with supervisors and peers

role ambiguity, role conflict, role responsibilities

career issues including promotion, job security and skills

Internal sources of information and data may include:

human resource, industrial relations, personnel management and staff

occupational health and employee assistance staff

supervisors

managers

OHS and employee representatives

Hierarchy of control means developing risk controls within the following priority order:

eliminate hazards

and where this is not practicable, minimise risk by:

substitution

isolating the hazard from personnel

using engineering controls

using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)

using personal protective equipment (PPE)

Organisational communication processes may include:

formal and informal communication processes

training

position descriptions and performance appraisal processes

Target groups identification includes:

characteristics such as, but not limited to:

size of workforce, group, team etc

location

variability of roles, responsibilities etc

language and literacy

cultural background

characteristics influencing communication strategies, such as access to information and data and empowerment

Stakeholders may include:

employees

managers

health and safety and other employee representatives

OHS committees

families of employees

local community

Ethical requirements may include:

confidentiality

privacy

equity

workplace diversity

Resources may include:

physical

financial

The evaluation plan may include:

appropriate communication strategies for the workplace

training content

training availability including delivery schedule

identification of relevant target groups

impact on workforce

impact on improvements to the workplace as a result of interventions