This unit addresses knowledge, processes and techniques necessary for developing and implementing crisis planning where a 'crisis' is defined as an event with a potentially high consequence outcome in terms of personal injury or damage.

Emergency preparedness and management is an important part of crisis management in that it addresses the elements of technical and tactical response. Crisis management involves a number of steps including threat analysis, crisis planning and crisis containment.

Useful underpinning knowledge and skills for the OHS practitioner that support this unit are available from BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk, BSBOHS405B Contribute to the implementation of emergency procedures, and BSBOHS504B Apply principles of OHS risk management.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify sources of risk

1.1. Establish the organisational context for crisis management

1.2. Investigate the environment to identify sources of risk, elements at risk and vulnerability

1.3. Identify and consult relevant key personnel, appropriate specialist advisors and emergency response agencies in identifying sources of risk

1.4. Develop an emergency sources of risk register

2. Analyse and evaluate sources of risk

2.1. Access sources of information and data on risk and vulnerability within the context of existing control measures to characterise the risk

2.2. Identify and consult appropriate specialist advisors and agencies in analysing and evaluating sources of risk

2.3. Evaluate and prioritise risks for action

3. Advise on requirements for crisis management

3.1. Develop and document crisis management plan

3.2. Identify and document equipment needs

3.3. Identify and document emergency communication requirements and processes for internal and external stakeholders and resources

3.4. Identify and document liaison and communication processes with emergency response agencies and other external stakeholders

3.5. Identify and document training needs

4. Monitor and report on the effectiveness of crisis management

4.1. Regularly audit and review crisis management and develop and implement actions

4.2. Routinely check emergency response equipment for currency and functionality

4.3. Report to management on a regular basis, status of crisis management, including emergency response processes

5. Participate in the emergency control organisation

5.1. Structure the emergency control organisation so it acts to minimise consequences

5.2. Ensure understanding of and implement own role in, the emergency control organisation during an emergency

5.3. Undertake appropriate liaison with internal personnel and external agencies

6. Advise and support key personnel in the post response/recovery phase to minimise consequences

6.1. Ensure recovery phase procedures focus on minimising consequences to the people involved, the environment and the organisation

6.2. Identify and access external support and resource services as appropriate to assist recovery phase

6.3. Conduct debriefing, involving key personnel and external agencies as appropriate

6.4. Identify debriefing process areas requiring further attention

6.5. Disseminate appropriate reports internally and to relevant external agencies

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

numeracy skills to evaluate a range of information and data formats including graphs, maps, matrices, technical reports

research skills to:

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

use information and data gathering techniques such as brainstorming, polling, interviewing

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 service personnel

Required knowledge

write policies, procedures and plans

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

issue instructions in an authoritative manner during unusual circumstances

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

project management skills to achieve continuous improvement and change

organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe

information technology skills to access and enter internal and external information and data on OHS and to use a range of media.

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 implementation of crisis management processes, either in an actual workplace or simulation exercise

products developed for implementing crisis management plans

how these products were developed and use of these products

knowledge of emergency-specific requirements under relevant legislation, codes of practice and standards including hazardous substances, dangerous goods and environment protection.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to scenario resources

access to regular training and planning emergency rehearsals

access to office equipment and resources

access to workplace documentation.

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

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

demonstration of techniques used develop and implement crisis management processes

observation of performance in role plays

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of principles of effective liaison with emergency services personnel including ensuring that there is no interference or hindrance to their action

review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment

evaluation and prioritisation of risks for action

review of crisis management plan

assessment of emergency sources of risk register.

Guidance information for assessment

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

BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk

BSBOHS405B Contribute to the implementation of emergency procedures

BSBOHS504B Apply principles of OHS risk management

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.

Organisational context may include:

arrangements or industry/community partnerships

hazards to which the organisation is exposed

legislation under which the organisation operates

operating environment which may be influenced by political, industrial or other internal or external factors

Crisis may include:

emergencies requiring evacuation

explosion and bomb scares

external emergencies such as flood, storm and traffic accident impacting on organisation

fires and explosions

hazardous substance spills

internal emergencies such as loss of power or water supply

security emergencies such as armed robberies, intruders and disturbed persons

serious injury events

Environment may include:

conditions or influences that are part of, surround or interact with, the organisation such as:

built environment (buildings and other assets)

physical environment (natural environment including topography, water bodies and vegetation)

social environment (including people interactions, internal and external politics, economic and culture)

Sources of risk may include:

biological hazards

civil/political hazards including civil/political unrest, terrorism, sabotage and hostage

management activities and controls including deficiencies in areas of non compliance with internal management systems, legislation, and agreements/contracts

natural hazards and/or disasters

technological hazards (failure of technology)

Elements at risk may include:

assets

commercial reputation and goodwill

environment

people

quality of life

Vulnerability may include:

degree of susceptibility and resilience of the organisation and the environment to the risk, which is influenced by the characteristics of the organisation in terms of its capacity to anticipate, cope with and recover from the crisis

Specialist advisors may include:

specialists in emergency management, evacuation, fire, security and safety who use advanced techniques such as:

Hazard and Operability Studies (HazOps)

Management Oversight and Risk Tree (MORT)

computer modelling

scenario analysis

Emergency response agencies may include:

fire

police

ambulance

State Emergency Services (SES)

government departments

OHS authorities

Emergency sources of risk register may include:

comprehensive list of events or conditions to be evaluated, their location, together with a range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which a crisis may occur

crisis risk management documentation such as risk assessments

Sources of information and data may include:

enforcement notices and actions

inspection and incident records

international and national standards, codes of practice and guidelines

material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

organisational records and files

research literature

specialist advisors

Characteristics of the risk may include:

significant features of the sources of risk such as:

area affected

duration

impact, taking account of the coping capacity of the organisation

intensity

likelihood

perceptions of severity

speed of onset

Crisis management plan may include:

crisis risk management documentation, such as:

communications strategies

identification of issues

risk assessments/evaluations

risk management team lists

risk registers

treatment strategies

vulnerability profiles

initial response instructions for various roles/areas

policy, emergency response structure

program review and monitoring processes

resource inventory for response and recovery

responsibility and authority of individual roles

training requirements

warning systems

Stakeholders may include:

external stakeholders such as local community (directly or via the media), representatives of special interest groups, insurance agencies, OHS regulators, local government and other relevant statutory bodies

internal stakeholders such as the board of management, managers, employees (and their families), contractors, visitors and others on site

Resources may include:

community support agencies

personnel and equipment

Audit and review may include:

evaluation of ongoing relevance of emergency and crisis plans considering likelihood and consequences of risks

analysis of the organisation to respond considering factors such as:

available resources

effectiveness of training, knowledge and skills of key personnel

Emergency control organisation may include:

structured group within the organisation that includes roles such as emergency controller, communications recorder, media liaison and employee support personnel

External support and resource services may include:

agencies such as Red Cross, government health departments, State Emergency Service and local government

community liaison and reference groups

counselling services

employer associations

local, non-official sources

unions

Reports may include:

assumptions

decisions and recommendations for action

evaluation of preparedness

information sources

objectives

previous reports, records and registers

responsibility and resources

Unit sector

Regulation, Licensing and Risk - Occupational Health and Safety

This unit contains employability skills.