BSBWHS404A
Contribute to WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to contribute to identifying work health and safety (WHS) hazards; assessing WHS risks; and developing, implementing and evaluating risk controls appropriate to own job role and work area.

Application

This unit applies to individuals who contribute to identifying WHS hazards; assessing WHS risks; and developing, implementing and evaluating risk controls appropriate to their own job role and work area as part of their WHS responsibilities. The unit applies to people who work in a broad range of WHS roles across all industries.

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. Access information to identify hazards, and assess and control risks

1.1 Identify sources of information and data

1.2 Obtain information and data to determine the nature and scope of workplace hazards, the range of harms they may cause, and how these harms happen

1.3 Obtain information and data to determine the nature and scope of workplace risks and risk controls

2. Contribute to compliance and workplace requirements

2.1 Contribute to identifying and complying with requirements of workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control activities

2.2 Contribute to identifying and complying with requirements of WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidelines for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control activities

2.3 Identify duty holders and their range of duties

3. Contribute to workplace hazard identification

3.1 Use knowledge of hazards to advise individuals and parties of workplace hazards, the harms they may cause, and how these harms happen

3.2 Apply knowledge of hazard identification to contribute to selecting techniques, tools and processes to identify workplace hazards

3.3 Contribute to applying techniques, tools and processes

3.4 Contribute to documenting use of, and results of, hazard identification

4. Contribute to WHS risk assessment

4.1 Apply knowledge of risk assessment to contribute to selecting risk assessment techniques, tools and processes for workplace hazards

4.2 Contribute to applying techniques, tools and processes to identified hazards

4.3 Contribute to documenting the results of risk assessments

5. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of risk control

5.1 Apply knowledge of risk control to contribute to developing risk control options for workplace hazards using the results of risk assessments

5.2 Contribute to developing and implementing a risk control plan

5.3 Contribute to evaluating implemented risk controls

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and with a range of abilities

evaluation skills to assess WHS information and data

observational skills to identify hazards, and to assess and control the risks associated with them

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

research skills to obtain internal and external WHS information and data.

Required knowledge

basic principles of incident causation and injury processes

how hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control fit into, and are addressed in, a WHS management system (WHSMS)

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

nature and scope of workplace hazards, the range of harms they may cause, and how these harms happen

organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems

requirements for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control as specified in WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material

requirements for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control activities specified in organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems

what a hazard is, what a risk is, and the principles of risk and hazard control.

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:

currency of WHS knowledge

contributing to the:

identification of a range of hazards

assessment of risks

development, implementation and evaluation of a range or combination of risk controls.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

an actual or simulated workplace

office equipment and resources

relevant legislation, standards and guidelines

relevant WHS documentation and records.

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 identify WHS hazards and assess WHS risks

demonstration of applying WHS legislation in conducting hazard-identification and risk-management activities

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 concept of risks, factors that affect risk and difference between a hazard and a risk.

Guidance information for assessment

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

BSBWHS402A Assist with compliance with WHS laws

BSBWHS403A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS consultation and participation processes

BSBWHS405A Contribute to implementing and maintaining WHS management systems

BSBWHS406A Assist with responding to incidents.


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.

Sources of information and data may include:

WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, Australian and international standards and guidance material, and other information issued by WHS regulators

industry bodies and groups

unions

websites, journals and newsletters

WHS specialists

workers’ compensation insurance agents

workplace policies, processes, procedures and systems.

Workplace hazards may include:

biological hazards, such as viruses, bacteria, hepatitis, legionnaires’ disease, Q fever, brucellosis, leptospirosis, HIV and fungi

electrical

extreme temperature

hazardous chemicals

ionising and non-ionising radiation

machinery and equipment

manual tasks

noise and vibration

psychosocial hazards, such as work-related stress and fatigue, bullying and violence

working at height, falling objects, falls, slips and trips.

Duty holders may include:

as specified in WHS Acts:

persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers

workers

other persons at a workplace.

Individuals and parties may include:

contractors and suppliers

health and safety committees

health and safety representatives

managers, supervisors and PCBUs or their officers

workers.

Techniques, tools and processes may include:

as specified in WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards, guidance material and other information issued by WHS regulators

as specified in workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems, including hazard reporting systems and safe work method statements

audits

compensation claim information

consultation with individuals and parties

incident and investigation reports

safety data sheets (SDS) and registers of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods

workplace inspections.

Risk control options may include:

as specified in WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, and other information issued by WHS regulators

as specified in workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems.

Risk control plan may include:

how and when controls will be implemented and evaluated

risk controls determined in consultation with individuals and parties

risk controls to be implemented that meet requirements as specified in WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, and other information issued by WHS regulators and in workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems

responsibilities for implementation.


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.