Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely. It applies to new employees working under supervision, within established and well-known parameters and with limited autonomy.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) and occupational safety and health (OSH) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State and Territory OHS legislative requirements.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify safety issues at work | 1.1 Identify and explain employee and employer duty of care requirements 1.2 Identify and explain own responsibilities to comply with safe work practices |
2. Observe safe work practices | 2.1 Read, follow and observe instructions, notices and workplace safety signs 2.2 Use protective clothing and equipment when completing work tasks 2.3 Check safety of machines, tools and equipment before use 2.4 Operate machines, tools and equipment safely 2.5 Use correct manual handling techniques |
3. Participate in workplace safety meetings | 3.1 Report work health and safety hazards to supervisor 3.2 Participate in workplace safety meetings |
4. Follow incident and emergency response procedures | 4.1 Follow workplace procedures for dealing with accidents, fire and emergencies 4.2 Follow enterprise procedures for the provision of first aid |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
comply with their responsibilities to work safely
following workplace procedures for hazard identification
read and follow safety warning signs, symbols and work instructions
safely operate machines, tools and equipment
report workplace safety hazards
participate in workplace safety meetings
follow enterprise incident and emergency response procedures
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
employee and employer work health and safety duty of care responsibilities
enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control
hazards and risks in the industry sector
relevant machinery and equipment operator manuals
relevant work health and safety legislation , codes of practice and enterprise workplace policies
work health and safety signs and symbols relevant to area of work
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Work Health and Safety (WHS)