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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Conduct initial assessment of situation
  2. Initiate and conduct investigations
  3. Examine the situation
  4. Identify potential witnesses and record initial statements
  5. Assess investigation material and gathered information
  6. Conduct formal interviews
  7. Complete investigation report

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy skills to

undertake legal research

record statements

analytical skills to evaluate information in investigating breaches

selfmanagement skills to

apply principles of natural justice and procedural fairness

apply legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures in all investigations

apply risk management principles to investigative procedures including personal safety

communication skills to use a range of communication methods and strategies including

negotiation

dealing with conflicting information

dealing with conflict

interviewing and questioning

observation and analysis skills to ensure due consideration of information and evidence

planning and organising skills to ensure the coordinated and thorough investigation of possible breaches of workplace legislation

decisionmaking to reflect deliberation of the evidence and the risk assessment

Required knowledge

federal and state workplace legislative framework applying to workplace inspections including legislation relating to OHS and workplace relations

risk management principles relating to personal and workplace safety

common law principles applying to inspection of workplaces

powers of workplace inspectors under jurisdictional legislation

functions and roles of other professionals and experts who may be called in to advise on possible breaches or to act as witnesses

organisational investigation procedures

rules of evidence and evidence management

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to

undertake comprehensive planning of investigative responses

conduct detailed examination of potential or reported breaches

prepare resources required to conduct investigations

carry out a range of informationgathering activities to substantiate recommendations

prepare reports on a range of breaches

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by undertaking a range of relevant investigations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with

organisational investigationmanagement procedures and relevant health and safety procedures

applicable legislation regulations and codes

Access may be required to

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when investigating possible breaches of workplace legislation including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

legislation policy procedures and protocols relating to the investigation of possible breaches of workplace legislation

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when investigating possible breaches of workplace legislation

Guidance information for assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

oral questioning about the legislative framework risk management principles common law principles powers of inspectors under jurisdictional legislation functions and roles of other professionals and experts legislative requirements organisational investigations procedures rules of evidence and evidence management

observation of the candidate undertaking a variety of assigned investigation tasks in a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice

feedback from peers andor supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant procedures

documentary evidence of a range of previous and current investigations with where a team has been involved identification of the specific contribution of the individual being assessed

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

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

PSPETHCB Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOVB Develop client services

PSPGOV502B Develop client services

PSPGOVB Coordinate resource allocation and usage

PSPGOV503B Coordinate resource allocation and usage

PSPGOVB Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOVA Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPGOVA Coordinate risk management

PSPGOV517A Coordinate risk management

PSPWPIB Evaluate workplace legislative compliance

PSPWPI501B Evaluate workplace legislative compliance.


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. 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.

Type of investigation or situation may include:

non-compliance with legislation

workplace fatality

injury or incident

dangerous occurrence

workplace relations issues

workers compensation issues

complaints

public safety

workplace illnesses

change to targeted campaigns

safety of workers and public

Assessment of matters affecting incident situation and investigation may include:

preservation of life or property

prevailing weather, which may require additional resources to preserve and protect incident situation

climatic conditions

human interference

language barriers

right of entry and access

minimisation of business disruption

dangerous or unpleasant conditions, such as:

hazards

injured or deceased persons

stressed or traumatised individuals

cultural issues

union issues

Safeguards may include:

clear brief as to who has access to situations

physical barriers

entry limited to essential personnel

delegation of authority to control entry

record of all persons who enter/leave the situation and reasons

personal protective equipment

following procedures to work in pairs

trauma counselling

Persons contacted may include:

technical and scientific experts

legal experts

witnesses

victims

union representatives

workplace relations officers

employers and employees

police and emergency services

human resources staff

media

coroners

employee representatives

OHS committee

company representatives

management

health and safety representatives

health and safety officers

relevant government departments

Resources may include:

technical and scientific experts

experienced investigators

research database

legal information

legal request

subpoena

advice sheets

legislative framework

equipment, such as:

camera

sample kits

other organisations

Details of the situation may include:

time, date and location

jurisdiction

sequence of events

possible causes

people involved

property involved

victims

witnesses

damage, including damage to property

injury

historical information

injury to persons

physical details of situation

evidence

organisation personnel and non-employees involved

other organisations involved

current status of investigation

action taken to date

adjoining properties and activities

Evidence may be:

physical, such as:

plant

containers

fibres

samples

tool marks

chemical and biological

identifying numbers

record books

dangerous goods and hazardous substances

documentary, such as:

witness statements

employer or employee documentation

safety management records

workplace agreements

employment contracts

company records, including:

attendance records

maintenance records

time and wage records

training records

industrial instruments

union documents

government records

expert reports

work method statements

standard operating procedures

log books

contracts

policy documents

workers compensation claims information

register of injuries

first aid treatment book

Methods of evidence collection may include:

recording interviews

formal legal request for documentation

subpoena

photographing/videoing

photocopying documentation

requisitioning documentation

using items in sampling kit

appropriate environmental monitoring

Methods of packaging evidence may include:

metal and plastic containers

plastic bags

paper bags

glass vials

items in sample kit

Evidence may be recorded by:

receipts

photocopying and certifying 'true copy'

photography

audio and visual recording

using notebook

identifying samples

seizing property logs

Preservation of integrity of evidence may involve:

controlling site access and egress

covering evidence

recording chain of evidence handling

removing evidence to ensure its protection

Relevant details from potential witnesses include:

name

age

contact details

roles and responsibilities

qualifications

details of organisation's operating procedures

workplace and training practices

information about the situation

Appropriate channels may include:

Coroner's Court

other relevant state or federal court or tribunal

special investigation units

arbitration

state or territory Industrial Relations Commission

departments of public prosecution

internal review committees/units and management

legal units

Crown Law

prosecuting authorities