Critical aspects of competency

Ability to accurately follow work instructions in order to minimise and control workplace risks.

Ability to identify hazards and emergencies in the workplace and report such hazards and emergencies to appropriate personnel.

Ability to correctly follow emergency procedures in emergency situations. Note that evidence in this area may be gathered through simulations.

Ability to operate tools and equipment safely.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

Rights and responsibilities of parties in the workplace under relevant OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Communication channels and procedures to report OHS concerns.

Common workplace hazards and risk control measures including:

range and meanings of safety signs and symbols in the workplace

types and purpose of personal protective equipment

site safety plan

ways in which OHS is maintained in emergency situations

equipment and material use, storage, cleaning and disposal procedures.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

follow safe work procedures

identify potential and existing risks or hazards

follow emergency response procedures

communicate OHS to appropriate personnel

use tools, equipment and products safely

use literacy and language skills to:

understand and comply with work instructions

interpret safety signs

read and comprehend product instructions

participate in OHS training.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competency in this unit will underpin competency in other aspects of the candidate's role in managing their work tasks.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Resources required to assess this unit

The candidate and the assessor should have access to the appropriate documentation and resources normally utilised in the workplace. This includes access to the following:

a suitable work area or a simulated workplace environment that allows for identification of hazards

personal protective equipment commonly used to reduce workplace risk

relevant products, tools, specialist equipment and associated instructions

manuals and relevant documentation including company health and safety policies and procedures

assessment documentation forms and record books.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

When assessing candidates, assessment techniques that allow a collection of evidence from relevant workplace experience should be used. Assessment against this unit may involve the following:

continuous assessment in the workplace (observation) or a setting that simulates the conditions of a workplace (simulation), taking into account the range of variables affecting performance

self-assessment of performance on the same terms as those described above

interviews and/or provision of learning activities to check underpinning knowledge requirements

supplementary evidence that may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the legislative and industry framework and as set out in company OHS policies and procedures.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed alphabetically and may be present for this particular unit.

Appropriate personnel may include:

health and safety representatives

managers

OHS personnel

other persons including emergency service personnel, authorised or nominated by the enterprise or industry to:

perform specified work/functions

approve specified work

inspect specified work

direct specified work/functions

supervisors/team leaders.

Company requirements may include:

counselling/disciplinary processes

maintenance of plant and equipment

purchasing of supplies and equipment

work procedures and work instructions.

Emergencies may include:

accidents (including motor vehicle accidents)

acts of violence

bomb threats

chemical spills

fire and explosions

inhalation of dangerous substances

natural disasters.

Emergency procedures may include:

accident/incident reporting

chemical containment

evacuations

following instructions from authorised or appropriate personnel during hazardous events

provision of First Aid.

Hazards may include:

associated with electrical or mechanical faults

environmental e.g. improper use of hazardous materials/chemicals

ergonomic e.g. improper manual handling methods

obstructive e.g. blocked access to emergency entry/exit points.

Manufacturers' specifications may include:

equipment operational manuals

instructional guides

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters)

product labels

safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

OHS information may include:

hazards and risk management procedures

provisions relating to roles and responsibilities of health and safety representatives and/or OHS committees

the induction of new workers

the nature of work, tasks and procedures

to assist in work tasks

to communicate legislation and codes of practice e.g. relating to hazards in the work area

workplace OHS policies and procedures.

OHS legislation may include:

general duty of care under OHS legislation and common law

provisions relating to OHS issue resolution

provisions relating to roles and responsibilities of health and safety representatives and/or OHS committees

regulations and codes of practice including regulations and codes of practice relating to hazards present in the workplace or industry

state/territory/Commonwealth OHS Acts.

Participative arrangements may include:

formal and informal meetings of:

OHS committees

other committees e.g. consultative, planning and purchasing

suggestions, requests and concerns put forward by employees to management.

Safe operating practices may include:

awareness of electrical hazards

emergency procedures

First Aid

follow confined space procedures

risk and hazard recognition

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead power lines

working safely around tools and equipment.

Workplace procedures may include specific OHS procedures and organisational policies and procedures relating to:

assessing and controlling risks

consultation and participation arrangements for employees

emergency response

OHS issue resolution

safe operating procedures or instructions that cover:

awareness of electrical hazards

compliance with safety instructions contained in MSDS

confined space procedures

First Aid

safe use of tools and equipment

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead power lines

reporting OHS issues

specific hazards

use of personal protective equipment

workplace safety inspections.

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