Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and report hazards in the workplace. It also describes the skills and knowledge required to follow workplace safety procedures and directions.
This unit is applicable to supervised workers who are required to follow work health and safety policies and procedures.
All work must be carried out in accordance with enterprise procedures, recommended safe practices and the relevant legislation.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They identify and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
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. Follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control | 1.1 Recognise hazards in the workplace and report them to designated personnel 1.2 Assess risks associated with identified hazards 1.3 Follow workplace procedures and work instructions to control risks 1.4 Follow workplace procedures for dealing with accidents, fire and emergencies within the scope of responsibilities and competencies 1.5 Recognise risks to fellow workers, other people and animals and take action to eliminate or reduce them 1.6 Recognise and carry out employee responsibilities prescribed in work health and safety legislation 1.7 Undertake safety training as directed |
2. Observe safe practices during work operations | 2.1 Identify, use, maintain and store personal protective equipment (PPE) 2.2 Undertake safety checks on all machinery and equipment before operation 2.3 Identify and report hazards associated with handling hazardous substances and assess risk 2.4 Identify noise hazards, notify relevant personnel and assess associated risks 2.5 Assess risks associated with manual handling jobs prior to commencing activity or carrying out work 2.6 Access information on work health and safety as required |
3. Participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people in the workplace | 3.1 Raise work health and safety issues with designated personnel 3.2 Make contributions to participative arrangements in the workplace within the scope of own responsibilities and competencies |
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:
follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control
read safety warning signs
observe safety during work operations
follow workplace procedures for dealing with accidents, fire and emergencies within the scope of responsibilities and competencies
participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people in the workplace
recognise caution or hazard signs and symbols
identify tasks or information from labels, manuals or written instructions
record information accurately or verbally reporting information
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and enterprise policies
employee and employer work health and safety responsibilities
enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control
relevant machinery and equipment operator manuals
work health and safety signs and symbols relevant to area of work
hazards and risks in the industry sector
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
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)