This unit applies to individuals who participate in WHS communication and consultation processes as part of their work health and safety responsibilities, which are in addition to their main duties. Steps to resolve WHS issues are covered in BSBWHS305A Contribute to WHS issue resolution.
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.
Not applicable.
1. Contribute to establishing and running WHS consultation and participation processes | 1.1 Apply knowledge of WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, policies and procedures to contribute to developing and running WHS consultation and participation processes 1.2 Identify and communicate barriers to effective WHS consultation and participation processes 1.3 Contribute to removing these barriers 1.4 Identify, record and communicate to others the duties, rights and responsibilities of individuals and parties in the consultation process |
2. Raise WHS issues with others | 2.1 Raise relevant WHS issues in meetings and support others to do this 2.2 Record and communicate WHS discussions and their outcomes according to workplace procedures 2.3 Follow up the outcomes of meetings as appropriate 2.4 Communicate outcomes of these meetings to others |
3. Contribute to obtaining and communicating information about WHS issues | 3.1 Identify sources of WHS information 3.2 Use tools and techniques to locate and obtain WHS information 3.3 Communicate relevant WHS information to others using appropriate communication methods |
Required skills
communication skills to communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and with a range of abilities
information-management skills to source, obtain and share relevant documents
interpersonal skills to support others to raise WHS issues
literacy and verbal skills to consult on, present and progress WHS issues.
Required knowledge
organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems
relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, and other relevant publications
roles and responsibilities of WHS personnel
workplace information management procedures, processes and systems
workplace procedures, communication channels and methods for information sourcing and sharing.
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: taking appropriate actions to remove barriers to communication and consultation processes supporting others to raise relevant WHS issues knowledge of relevant WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards, policies and procedures. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: relevant information on compliance requirements, such as: organisational policies, standard operating procedures, procedures and plans relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, licensing requirements and standards relevant internal and external WHS data files appropriate office equipment and resources. |
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 WHS legislation when consulting with people in the workplace on WHS issues direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of roles and responsibilities of WHS personnel review of records of meeting where WHS issues are raised and discussed evaluation of communication with others about the outcomes of WHS issues raised. |
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. |
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.
WHS consultation and participation processes may include: | arrangements to meet workplace consultation obligations specified in relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS legislation, including: WHS and other consultative and planning committees health and safety representatives worker, supervisor, person conducting business or undertaking (PCBU) or their officer’s involvement in WHS activities, such as inspections and audits procedures for reporting hazards, raising awareness and addressing WHS issues worker and work team meetings formal and informal processes in place for the exchange of information and views on WHS hazards, risks and risk controls informing workers and other stakeholders of WHS matters seeking input and offering the opportunity for stakeholders to participate in decisions that may impact on WHS. |
Barriers to consultation may include: | contractual arrangements cultural differences arising from ethnic diversity discriminatory, coercive and misleading conduct geographic dispersal of workers inadequate access to technology or information ineffective dispute-resolution procedures and processes lack of a systematic approach to managing WHS lack of support from key management personnel language, literacy and numeracy levels of the workforce remote locations or work sites shift work and rostering arrangements specific needs of workers not addressed timing of information provision unrealistic timeframes worker disabilities workplace culture related to WHS workplace organisational structures. |
Individuals and parties may include: | contractors and subcontractors duty holders as specified in WHS Acts: PCBUs or their officers workers other persons at a workplace health and safety committees health and safety representatives self unions WHS entry permit holders WHS inspectors WHS regulators. |
Sources of WHS information may include: | audits Australian and international standards first aid records hazard, incident and investigation reports industry bodies and groups legislation, standards, manufacturer manuals and specifications available at the workplace minutes of meetings from incident investigations other manufacturer manuals and specifications regulatory authorities (for Acts, regulations and codes of practice) reports safety data sheets (SDS) and registers unions websites, journals and newsletters WHS professional bodies WHS specialists workplace inspections. |
Tools and techniques may include: | examination of relevant information formal or informal meetings hazard identification checklists interviews with workers job and systems analysis plant and equipment maintenance records reviews of: investigation reports registers of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods reported hazards and incidents WHS records SDS surveys and suggestion boxes worker concerns communicated through a hazard reporting system workplace processes, such as walk-through inspections and surveys. |
Communication methods may include: | audit and inspection records emails, memos and other agreed forms of communication individual and team meetings noticeboards presentations risk registers signs using interpreters and translators verbal briefings. |
Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.