BSBWHS303A
Participate in WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in identifying work health and safety (WHS) hazards, assessing WHS risks, and controlling WHS risks to maintain a healthy and safe workplace.

Application

This unit applies to individuals who assist with the identification of workplace hazards and the assessment of WHS risks as part of their WHS responsibilities, which are in addition to their main duties.

NOTE: The terms Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the National Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State/Territory OHS legislative requirements.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Participate in workplace hazard identification

1.1 Participate in selecting hazard identification methods suitable for the workplace, as appropriate

1.2 Use selected methods to identify, report and record hazards according to workplace procedures and WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

1.3 Provide information and assistance to persons conducting hazard identification

2. Participate in WHS risk assessment

2.1 Participate in selecting suitable risk assessment methods for the workplace, as appropriate

2.2 Use selected methods to assess and record risks according to workplace procedures and WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

2.3 Provide information and assistance to persons conducting risk assessments

3. Promote and support worker consultation and participation in hazard identification and risk assessment

3.1 Advise workers of, and consult them about, hazard identification and risk assessment activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes

3.2 Encourage workers to participate appropriately in these activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes

3.3 Advise workers of, and consult them about, the results and outcomes of these activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes

4. Participate in developing, selecting and implementing WHS risk controls

4.1 Obtain workplace records of the outcomes of hazard identifications and risk assessments, and use them to participate in developing risk control options

4.2 Apply knowledge of WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, other sources of information and guidelines, and workplace policies, procedures and processes to identify duty holders

4.3 Participate in selecting risk control options using appropriate criteria

4.4 Identify and report factors impeding successful implementation of selected risk controls

4.5 Participate in developing a risk control implementation and evaluation plan

4.6 Provide information about the implementation and evaluation plan to individuals and parties

5. Support effective worker consultation and participation in the risk control process

5.1 Advise workers of, and consult them about, developing risk control options, and selecting and implementing risk controls according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes

5.2 Encourage workers to participate appropriately in these activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

contribute effectively to hazard identification and risk assessment activities

communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and with a range of abilities

literacy skills to:

participate in hazard identification and risk assessment activities, and to record the results and outcomes of these activities

communicate risk control activities to workers, health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, managers, supervisors, and persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers

organisational and time-management skills to sequence tasks and meet timelines

planning skills to choose appropriate methods for hazard identification and risk assessment

research skills to:

identify sources of, and obtain information about, relevant WHS hazards

help workplace parties to obtain information about hazards.

Required knowledge

basic principles of incident causation and injury processes

concept of hazards, risks and risk factors

hazard identification and risk assessment methods

internal and external sources of WHS information and data, and how to access them

organisational design and structure

organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems

range of WHS hazards that may be present in the workplace, the harm they can cause and how this harm occurs

relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, and other relevant publications

risk control options for different hazards and work situations

risk control requirements as specified in WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, other relevant publications, workplace conditions and organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems

types of hazard and risk registers

WHS legislative requirements about:

communication, consultation and participation

notification of incidents

recordkeeping

specific hazard identification and risk assessment methods

workplace communication processes.

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:

collection of information about workplace hazards and participation in the identification of hazards in a workplace

using hazard identification methods appropriately

participating in risk assessments for hazards identified in the workplace

participating in developing, selecting and implementing risk controls in a workplace

knowledge of relevant commonwealth and state or territory Acts, regulations, codes of practice standards and guidance material.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

relevant information on WHS compliance requirements, such as:

organisational policies, standard operating procedures and plans

relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, licensing requirements and standards

relevant internal and external data files

appropriate computer resources needed to manage the identification and rectification of breaches in compliance requirements.

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 applying hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control techniques in the workplace

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

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of consequences and likelihood of risks associated with hazards in the workplace

review of research into WHS hazards and their associated risks

review of information provided to individuals and parties about selected risk controls

assessment of documentation completed when identifying hazards, assessing risks and developing risk control options.

Guidance information for assessment

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

other BSB07 WHS 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.

Persons conducting hazard identification and risk assessments may include:

health and safety representatives

internal or external consultants and WHS specialists

PCBUs or their officers

WHS entry permit holders

WHS inspectors

workers

workplace assessors with experience in language or disability issues.

Risk control options may include:

actions taken to eliminate risks entirely

actions taken to minimise risks by:

eliminating the hazard

substituting the hazard with something safer

isolating the hazard

reducing the risk through engineering controls

reducing the level of harm by improving administrative controls, such as changing policies, procedures and processes or providing training

using personal protective equipment (PPE), such as:

clothing and footwear

face and eye protection

hand protection

head protection

hearing protection

respiratory protection.

Duty holders may include:

as specified in WHS Acts:

PCBUs or their officers

workers

other persons at a workplace.

Appropriate criteria may include:

relevant sections of WHS Acts, regulations, and codes of practice

other sources of information and guidelines

workplace policies and procedures

workplace conditions.

Factors impeding may include:

access to technology or information

cultural differences arising from ethnic diversity

geographic dispersal of workers

lack of a systematic approach to managing WHS in the workplace

lack of support from key management personnel

language, literacy and numeracy levels of the workforce

shift work and rostering arrangements

unrealistic timeframes

unsupportive workplace culture

workplace organisational structures.

Implementation and evaluation plan may include:

how controls will be implemented and how factors impeding successful implementation will be addressed

identifying who has the responsibility for implementing the components of the plan and evaluating risk controls

timetable for implementing and evaluating risk controls.

Individuals and parties may include:

contractors and subcontractors

external people and organisations

health and safety committees

health and safety representatives

managers and supervisors

PCBUs or their officers

self

unions

WHS entry permit holders

WHS inspectors

WHS regulators

workers.

Appropriate ways to participate may include:

briefings

communicating with workplace parties

education and training

obtaining and communicating feedback on controls

trialling new processes and/or equipment.


Sectors

Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.