BSBOHS304B
Contribute to OHS hazard control

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to contribute to controlling occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace in order to maintain a healthy and safe workplace. It includes determining relevant legislation and contributing to any actions to ensure compliance with OHS legislation, codes and standards.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit applies to individuals who assist OHS specialists in relation to controlling OHS hazards in the workplace.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Contribute to the development of OHS hazard control options

1.1. Apply knowledge of OHS legislation, codes of practice, standards, regulations and workplace policies and procedures to contribute to the development of hazard controls

1.2. Apply principles of the hierarchy of control to identified hazards

1.3. Initiate the use of OHS specialists and technical advisors, where required, to assist in hazard identification and development of hazard controls for areas outside own expertise

2. Contribute to the selection of hazard control options

2.1. Determine the selection of hazard controls with relevant others

2.2. Determine the prioritisation of hazard controls with relevant others

2.3. Provide opportunities for employees to become involved in hazard control options

2.4. Identify and report factors impeding successful implementation of selected hazard controls

2.5. Provide information about selected hazard controls to stakeholders

3. Contribute to the implementation of hazard controls

3.1. Contribute to obtaining resources required to implement selected hazard controls

3.2. Contribute to the development and documentation of actions required to implement hazard controls

3.3. Communicate with stakeholders affected by hazard controls in a timely and clear manner

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to contribute effectively on the selection of hazard controls and the selection of hazard controls

culturally appropriate communication skills to relate to people with diverse backgrounds and people with diverse abilities and OHS roles in the workplace

organisational and time management skills to sequence tasks and meet timelines

literacy skills to prepare summary reports and memos for a range of target groups including:

employees

OHS committees

OHS representatives

managers

supervisors.

Required knowledge

codes of practice and standard industry controls for a range of hazards

concept of risk and factors that affect risk

difference between a hazard and a risk

formal and informal communication processes and key personnel related to communication

hazard control options

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on risk

incident investigation procedures

internal and external sources of information about OHS information and data

key personnel in the workplace

limitations of generic hazard and risk checklists and risk ranking processes

nature of workplace processes and hazards relevant to the workplace

organisational design and structure

organisational policies and procedures regarding OHS

potential effects and likely consequences to people, materials, equipment, work practices and environment if risks associated with OHS hazards in the workplace are realised

principles of incident causation and injury processes

relevant state/territory and commonwealth OHS legislation, codes of practice, standards and guidance material

requirements for individual fitting, use, maintenance and storage of personal protective equipment (PPE)

types and characteristics of major physical, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, mechanical, psychosocial and environmental hazards which may be present in the workplace.

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.

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

contribution to the development, selection and implementation of OHS hazard control options in a workplace

knowledge of relevant state/territory and commonwealth OHS legislation, codes of practice, standards and guidance material.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to relevant information on OHS compliance requirements such as:

organisational policies, standard operating procedures, procedures and plans

relevant legislation, regulations, licensing requirements, codes of practice, standards

access to relevant internal and external data files.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

assessment of documentation completed when controlling hazards

demonstration of the application of hazard control techniques

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of requirements for individual fitting, use, maintenance and storage of PPE

review of information provided to stakeholders about selected hazard controls

evaluation of communications with stakeholders affected by hazard controls.

Guidance information for assessment

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

other OHS units.


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.

Hazard controls may include:

actions taken to eliminate hazards entirely

actions taken to minimise the risks associated with the hazard by:

substituting another product or process to replace the hazard

isolating the hazard

using engineering controls

improving administrative controls such as changing policies, procedures or providing training

using PPE such as:

head protection

face and eye protection

respiratory protection

hearing protection

hand protection

clothing and footwear

Principles of the hierarchy of hazard control include:

eliminating hazards

and where this is not practicable, minimising risk by:

isolating hazard from personnel

substitution

using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)

using engineering controls

using PPE

Hazards may include:

sources of potential harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these, including:

physical

mechanical and/or electrical

chemical

biological

psychosocial

radiological

nuclear

environmental

OHS specialists and technical advisors may include:

employees who have an OHS role and responsibilities

OHS specialists and testers such as:

audiologists

ergonomists

health professionals

occupational health professionals

occupational hygienists

safety engineers

safety professionals

toxicologists

OHS technical advisors such as:

engineers (design, acoustic, safety, mechanical and civil)

maintenance and tradespeople

safety representatives, inspectors and officers

workplace assessors with experience in language or disability issues

Factors impeding successful implementation of selected hazard controls may include:

access to technology or information

an unsupportive workplace culture

cultural differences arising from ethnic diversity

geographic dispersal of employees

issues arising around the workplace and specific disabilities

lack of a systematic approach to managing OHS in the workplace

lack of support from key management

language and literacy

language, literacy and numeracy levels

remote locations or worksites

rosters or shift work

shift work and rostering arrangements

unrealistic timeframes

workplace organisational structures

Communication with stakeholders may include:

contribution to development of policies and procedures

employee meetings

interviews and discussions

issue resolution meetings

memos

presentations to:

external investigators

inspectors

consultants

OHS specialists

technical advisors

presentations to OHS committees

summary reports

use of participative or consultative processes implemented in the workplace

written and electronic communication


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Regulation, Licensing and Risk - Occupational Health and Safety


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.