• BSBOHS601B - Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS

BSBOHS601B
Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to effectively design and develop a systematic approach to managing occupational health and safety (OHS), which covers the systems, documentation, strategies and plans necessary to manage OHS and its evaluation in the workplace.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit applies to individuals who are required to effectively design and develop a systematic approach to managing OHS for a specific workplace to ensure it is, as far as is practicable, safe and without risks to the health of employees and others. This may include development and implementation of an OHS Management System (OHSMS).

The unit covers analysing the workplace to clarify needs; selecting an appropriate standard; developing systematic approaches and associated documentation; and planning, supporting and monitoring the systematic approach.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Analyse the workplace to identify needs

1.1. Identify external motivators for development of systematic approaches to managing OHS in consultation with managers and other stakeholders

1.2. Identify internal motivators for development of systematic approaches to managing OHS

1.3. Identify workplace factors that may impact on the design and development of systematic approaches to managing OHS

2. Design integrated approaches to managing OHS

2.1. Review relevant standards, codes of practice and guidance material that provide a basis for systematic approaches to managing OHS, in consultation with managers and other stakeholders

2.2. Define elements of systematic approaches to managing OHS to suit the workplace, in consultation with stakeholders

2.3. Evaluate elements for compliance with legal obligations

2.4. Identify situations where OHS specialists and technical advisors may be required

3. Plan and develop integrated approaches to managing OHS

3.1. Develop policies and procedures to support systematic approaches to managing OHS, taking account of workplace factors

3.2. Identify and incorporate links with other functional areas and management systems

3.3. Identify and allocate relevant roles and responsibilities

3.4. Identify and document training needs for the introduction and ongoing maintenance of systematic approaches to managing OHS

3.5. Identify and document resources necessary to introduce and maintain systematic approaches to managing OHS

3.6. Develop a strategic implementation plan to manage OHS

4. Support planning for and implementation of integrated approaches to managing OHS

4.1. Determine priorities for action in consultation with managers and employee representatives

4.2. Develop action plans with allocated responsibilities and time lines

4.3. Provide advice and support to managers and other key personnel

4.4. Monitor implementation, in consultation with stakeholders, to ensure practicality, compatibility with other management systems and management practices, and acceptance of systematic approaches and support of programs by all levels of the organisation

4.5. Provide regular reports and feedback to key personnel, including recommendations for adjustment in the implementation

5. Evaluate the design and development of integrated approaches to managing OHS

5.1. Design the evaluation protocol in consultation with stakeholders

5.2. Develop a plan for collection of information and data

5.3. Analyse and evaluate information and data

5.4. Make recommendations for improvement in the systematic management of OHS as a result of the evaluation findings

5.5. Provide a report to management on the outcomes of the evaluation and the recommendations for further development and improvement

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to:

identify areas for improvement with OHS incidents

analyse relevant workplace information and data, and to make observations of workplace tasks and interactions between people, their activities, equipment, environment and systems

contribute to the assessment of resources needed to systematically manage OHS and, where appropriate, access resources

contribute to the strategic OHS performance of the organisation

attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes

research skills to access relevant OHS information and data, to interpret information and data, and to identify areas for improvement

communication skills to:

conduct effective formal and informal meetings and to communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of the organisation, OHS specialists and, as required, emergency services personnel

write policies, procedures and plans

use language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task

data gathering skills such as brainstorming, polling, interviewing

consultation and negotiation skills to develop plans, and to implement and monitor designated actions

project management skills to achieve continuous improvement and to action processes in OHS matters

organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe

information technology skills to access and enter internal and external information and data on OHS.

Required knowledge

concept of common law duty of care

development of tools such as positive performance indicators (PPIs) in assessment of OHS performance

difference between common law and statutory law

ethics related to professional practice

formal and informal communication and consultation processes, and key personnel related to communication

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 and the systematic approach to managing OHS, for example:

communication skills

cultural background/workplace diversity

gender

labour market changes

language, literacy and numeracy

structure and organisation of workforce e.g. part-time, casual and contract workers, shift rosters, geographical location

workers with specific needs

internal and external sources of OHS information and data

key personnel, including identifying 'change agents', within workplace management structure

language, literacy and cultural profile of the work group

legislative requirements for OHS information and data, and consultation

methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation

nature and use of information and data that provides valid and reliable results on performance of OHS management processes (including PPIs and limitations of other types of measures)

nature of workplace processes (including work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the particular workplace

organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

organisational OHS policies and procedures

other functional areas that impact on the management of OHS

principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing OHS

principles of duty of care including concepts of causation, foreseeability, preventability

principles of effective meetings including agendas, action planning, chair and secretarial duties, minutes and action items

principles of incident causation and injury processes

professional liability in relation to providing advice

requirements for record keeping that address OHS, privacy and other relevant legislation

requirements for reporting under OHS and other relevant legislation including notification and reporting of incidents

requirements of OHS and standards related to systematically managing OHS

roles and responsibilities under OHS legislation of employees including supervisors, contractors, OHS inspectors

roles and responsibilities in relation to communication and consultation for OHS committees, OHS representatives, line management, employees and inspectors

state/territory and commonwealth OHS legislation (acts, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material) including prescriptive and performance approaches and links to other relevant legislation such as industrial relations, equal employment opportunity, workers compensation, rehabilitation

structure and forms of legislation including regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material.

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:

design and development of systematic approaches to managing OHS, either in an actual workplace, or simulation exercise

products developed for the design and development of systematic approaches and associated documentation

how these products were designed and developed

use of these products

knowledge of relevant OHS legislation (acts, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material).

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to workplace or simulated workplace

access to workplace personnel and documentation

reports from other parties consulted in designing and developing OHS systematic approaches

access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.

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 written reports on the effectiveness of the OHS management system

demonstration of techniques used to implement and maintain systematic OHS approaches

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

observation of performance in role plays

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

review of strategic implementation plan and action plans

evaluation of elements for compliance with legal obligations

analysis and evaluation of information and data

review of recommendations made for improvement in the systematic management of OHS.

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.

External motivators may include:

corporate image/reputation

customer/contract demand

legal obligations

Systematic approaches to managing OHS may include:

developing, implementing, reviewing and maintaining the activities for managing OHS

use of OHS management systems developed in the workplace to meet the OHS situation in that particular workplace

Stakeholders may include:

employees

health and safety, and other employee representatives

managers

OHS committees

supervisors

Internal motivators may include:

financial

industrial relations

injury and illness prevention (ethical)

Workplace factors may include:

consultation and communication processes

management commitment

management style, and OHS knowledge and skills of organisation

nature of hazards and level of risk

organisational structure

other management systems requiring interface or integration with systematic approaches to managing OHS

resources available

staff profile including language, literacy and numeracy, cultural diversity and specific needs of employees

whether certification is required

workplace culture, including industrial relations and safety culture

Relevant standards may include:

Australian Standards

industry standards

standards developed by OHS authorities

Elements of systematic approaches to managing OHS may include:

list of key requirements or major principles that are combined in a methodical and ordered manner to minimise the risk of injury or ill health in the workplace, for example:

allocation of resources

communication and consultation

hazard management

processes of OHS planning

record keeping and reporting

review and evaluation for ongoing improvement of OHS

training and competency

Legal obligations may include:

equity

freedom of information

industrial relations

OHS

privacy

trade practices

workplace diversity

OHS specialists may be include:

ergonomists

health professionals

injury management advisors

occupational hygienists

Technical advisors may include:

engineers (such as design, acoustic, safety, mechanical, civil)

legal practitioners

maintenance and trades persons

workplace trainers and assessors

Policies and procedures may include:

documents describing how tasks, projects, inspections, jobs and processes are to be undertaken

job/task statements

policies and procedures underpinning OHS

purchasing and contracting procedures

quality system documentation

standard operating procedures

Other functional areas and management systems may include:

engineering and maintenance

environmental management

finance and auditing

human resources, industrial relations and personnel management, including payroll

information, data and records management

logistics

purchasing, procurement and contracting

quality management

strategic planning

Resources may include:

equipment

financial requirements

personnel, including time allocation

specialised resources

Key personnel may include:

those people who have a key role in OHS including managers, supervisors, OHS representatives and other functional areas

Evaluation protocol may include:

criteria for evaluation

how the criteria will be measured

how the information and data will be collected

time period for collection of information and data

Information and data may include:

audit reports

feedback from questionnaires

minutes of meetings

workplace inspections

workshops


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Regulation, Licensing and Risk - Occupational Health and Safety


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.