This unit applies to individuals with supervisory responsibilities for implementing and monitoring the organisation's OHS policies, procedures and programs in a work area. It addresses the formal and informal processes of ensuring people in the organisation are informed about OHS and have opportunities to effectively participate in OHS processes.

This unit will involve working with individuals and working with groups.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Contribute to procedures to raise OHS issues or request information and data

1.1. Identify strategies and tools for individuals or groups to raise OHS issues or request information and data

1.2. Implement and communicate to stakeholders and interested parties procedures for individuals and groups to raise OHS issues or request information and data

1.3. Identify barriers to individuals or groups seeking OHS information and data or raising issues

1.4. Make recommendations to address any identified barriers

2. Contribute to procedures for communicating OHS information and data

2.1. Identify with stakeholders, needs for OHS information and data, communication and consultation, including relevant legislative requirements

2.2. Provide information and data about OHS to key personnel on a regular basis, in a readily accessible manner and appropriate to the target group

2.3. Use formal and informal communication processes to provide information and data about OHS

2.4. Identify any barriers to individuals or groups gaining information and data about OHS

2.5. Make recommendations to address any identified barriers

2.6. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken to remove barriers to individuals or groups accessing information and/or data about OHS

3. Communicate OHS information, data and advice effectively to influence management decision making and action

3.1. Provide timely and appropriate OHS information, data and advice to stakeholder groups and individuals

3.2. Make OHS-related contributions in the form of ideas, information and solutions to influence management decision making and action

3.3. Use awareness of the organisation's cultural and industrial environments when dealing with OHS issues

4. Contribute to maintaining OHS arrangements

4.1. Provide support and advice to those involved in OHS consultative arrangements

4.2. Support the OHS issue resolution process to facilitate timely and equitable resolution of OHS issues

4.3. Facilitate OHS consultative processes to meet legislative and workplace requirements

4.4. Monitor the effectiveness of OHS consultative and participative arrangements

Required skills

conflict management skills to address small disputes relating to OHS implementation issues

culturally appropriate communication skills to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and people with diverse abilities across all levels of an organisation

interpersonal skills to establish and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders

literacy skills to prepare reports for a range of target groups

organisational and time management skills to sequence tasks, meet timelines and run efficient formal and informal meetings

technology skills to use a range of communication media.

Required knowledge

internal and external sources of OHS information and data

organisational policies and procedures for OHS

legislative requirements for:

consultation and communication

information and data collection

notification of incidents

record keeping

reporting of incidents

organisational policies and procedures for managing OHS in the workplace

principles and practices of systematic approaches to managing OHS

principles relating to:

hazard identification

hierarchy of control

risk management

systematic approaches to OHS

range of communication strategies to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organisation

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

roles and responsibilities of personnel as specified in relevant OHS legislation

sources of OHS data.

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:

development and use of a product or products when contributing to the implementation of OHS processes

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to office equipment and resources

access to relevant legislation, standards, codes of practice and guidelines

access to workplace documentation access to workplace documentation and personnel.

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

demonstration of techniques used to manage OHS in the workplace

demonstration of the application of OHS legislation in implementing a systematic approach to managing OHS

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

observation of implementation of consultative techniques

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of communication strategies used to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organisation

review of recommendations made to address any barriers to people raising OHS issues or requesting information and data

evaluation of support and advice provided to people involved in OHS consultative arrangements.

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.

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.

Strategies and tools may include:

employee meetings

hazard alerts

informal discussions with team members

input to safety audits, hazard identification and risk assessment processes

intranet or email systems

meetings with health and safety, and employee representatives

OHS committees

suggestion boxes and processes

surveys, checklists

toolbox meetings

Stakeholders may include:

employees

health and safety, and other employee representatives

managers

OHS committees

supervisors

Interested parties may include:

clients

community

contractors

visitors

Barriers may include:

contractual arrangements

language

literacy and numeracy

shift work and rostering arrangements

specific needs of employees

timing of information provision

workplace culture related to OHS

workplace organisational structures (for example geographic, hierarchical)

OHS Information and data may include:

access to training information and data

hazards that exist in the workplace

manufacturers' manuals and specifications

OHS consultation and participation processes

OHS legislation, codes of practice and guidelines

rights and responsibilities

risk assessments

risk control strategies

safe work procedures

workplace OHS policies and procedures

Legislative requirements may include:

freedom of information (FOI) legislation

OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice

workplace equity, diversity and privacy legislation

Communication processes may include:

audio-visual media, for example video

emails, letters, minutes, memos, reports

group and individual meetings

interviews

newsletters

noticeboards

photographs, maps and plans

signs, posters and brochures

OHS consultative arrangements may include:

employee and supervisor involvement in OHS activities such as inspections and audits

employee and workgroup meetings

health and safety representatives, and other employee representatives

OHS and other consultative and planning committees

procedures for reporting hazards, and raising and addressing OHS issues

Unit sector

Regulation, Licensing and Risk - Occupational Health and Safety

This unit contains employability skills.