Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL943002 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL943002 - Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the ability to follow work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures, deal with the identification and control of hazards, work safely at all times, follow emergency response procedures and contribute to the maintenance of workplace safety. This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory assistants and instrument operators working in all industry sectors. WHS responses are restricted to a 'first response' approach, including the notification of appropriate workplace personnel. Workers will be provided with clear directions, information, training and appropriate supervision. While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

other relevant technical units of competency

Holistic assessment methods include:

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to conduct work safely

review of candidate's responses to WHS case studies, scenarios and/or 'what ifs'

review of workplace documents, such as incident report forms, completed by the candidate

written and/or oral questioning to assess required knowledge and likely reactions in hazardous/emergency situations

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

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

laboratory/field work environment, equipment and materials

PPE

emergency equipment, such as first aid equipment, eye wash kit or shower and fire extinguisher

workplace procedures.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Work health and safety
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify, control and report WHS 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 workplace policies and procedures
       
Element: Conduct work safely
  • Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Follow workplace procedures when carrying out work tasks
  • Keep all work areas clean and free from obstacles
  • Maintain workplace standards of personal hygiene
  • Safely store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials and dangerous goods
       
Element: Follow incident and emergency response procedures
  • Identify incident and emergency situations
  • Report and record incident and emergency situations according to workplace procedures
  • Follow incident and emergency procedures as appropriate to the nature of emergency using emergency equipment according to workplace procedures
       
Element: Contribute to health and safety in the workplace
  • Raise WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and legislated rights and obligations of employees
  • Participate in WHS activities within scope of responsibilities
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify, control and report WHS and environmental hazards

1.1

Routinely check immediate work area for hazards prior to commencing and during work

1.2

Address hazards within area of responsibility

1.3

Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel according to workplace policies and procedures

2

Conduct work safely

2.1

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

2.2

Follow workplace procedures when carrying out work tasks

2.3

Keep all work areas clean and free from obstacles

2.4

Maintain workplace standards of personal hygiene

2.5

Safely store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials and dangerous goods

3

Follow incident and emergency response procedures

3.1

Identify incident and emergency situations

3.2

Report and record incident and emergency situations according to workplace procedures

3.3

Follow incident and emergency procedures as appropriate to the nature of emergency using emergency equipment according to workplace procedures

4

Contribute to health and safety in the workplace

4.1

Raise WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and legislated rights and obligations of employees

4.2

Participate in WHS activities within scope of responsibilities

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.

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify, control and report WHS and environmental hazards

1.1

Routinely check immediate work area for hazards prior to commencing and during work

1.2

Address hazards within area of responsibility

1.3

Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel according to workplace policies and procedures

2

Conduct work safely

2.1

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

2.2

Follow workplace procedures when carrying out work tasks

2.3

Keep all work areas clean and free from obstacles

2.4

Maintain workplace standards of personal hygiene

2.5

Safely store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials and dangerous goods

3

Follow incident and emergency response procedures

3.1

Identify incident and emergency situations

3.2

Report and record incident and emergency situations according to workplace procedures

3.3

Follow incident and emergency procedures as appropriate to the nature of emergency using emergency equipment according to workplace procedures

4

Contribute to health and safety in the workplace

4.1

Raise WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and legislated rights and obligations of employees

4.2

Participate in WHS activities within scope of responsibilities

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

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
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 workplace policies and procedures 
Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Follow workplace procedures when carrying out work tasks 
Keep all work areas clean and free from obstacles 
Maintain workplace standards of personal hygiene 
Safely store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials and dangerous goods 
Identify incident and emergency situations 
Report and record incident and emergency situations according to workplace procedures 
Follow incident and emergency procedures as appropriate to the nature of emergency using emergency equipment according to workplace procedures 
Raise WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and legislated rights and obligations of employees 
Participate in WHS activities within scope of responsibilities 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL943002 - Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL943002 - Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: