Application
This unit applies to individuals who contribute to the management of WHS hazards and risks. This management is based on the organisation’s WHS management system (WHSMS), WHS information system (WHSIS) and risk-management approach (as covered in BSBWHS503A Contribute to the systematic management of WHS risk).
The unit applies to people who work in a range of WHS roles across all industries and who apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills in a wide variety of WHS contexts.
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 and data on WHS hazards and risks | 1.1 Identify sources of information and data 1.2 Obtain information and data to determine the nature and scope of hazards and risks, the range of harms they may cause, and how these harms happen 1.3 Obtain information and data to determine techniques, tools and processes to assess risk associated with identified hazards and risk control options |
2. Prepare to manage WHS hazards and risks | 2.1 Apply knowledge of the organisation’s WHSMS and WHSIS to identify requirements for managing WHS hazards and risks 2.2 Apply knowledge of WHS legislation to identify duty holders and legislative requirements for managing WHS hazards and risks |
3. Develop and implement WHS hazard and risk-management processes | 3.1 Apply techniques, tools and processes to assess risks associated with hazards and risk control options 3.2 Apply knowledge of hazards and risks to develop appropriate risk controls 3.3 Develop and implement a risk control plan and evaluate risk controls 3.4 Carry out hazard identification and risk management according to organisational and legal requirements, adopting a risk-management approach |
Required Skills
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse relevant workplace information and data
contribute to the assessment of resources needed to manage risk and where appropriate access these resources
identify areas for WHS improvement
communication skills to:
conduct effective formal and informal meetings and communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of the organisation
use language appropriate to the work team and the task
consultation and negotiation skills to:
develop plans
implement and monitor designated actions
information technology skills to:
access and download internal and external information and data on WHS
use a range of communication media
literacy skills to prepare plans and reports for a range of target groups, including health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, managers, supervisors, and persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe
project-management skills to achieve change in WHS matters
research skills to:
access relevant WHS information and data
identify areas for improvement
interpret information and data.
Required knowledge
basic principles of incident causation and injury processes
difference between hazard and risk
formal and informal communication and consultation processes, and key personnel related to communication
how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on WHS risk and the management of WHS, including:
communication skills
cultural background and diversity
gender
labour market changes
language, literacy and numeracy levels of the workforce
structure and organisation of the workforce, including part time, casual and contract workers; shift rosters; and geographical location
workers with specific needs and limitations
workplace culture towards alcohol and other drug use
internal and external sources of WHS information and data, and how to access them
limitations of generic hazard identification and risk assessment checklists, and risk ranking processes
methods for providing evidence of compliance with WHS legislation
nature of workplace processes (work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the workplace
organisational culture as it impacts on the work team
organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems
other functional areas that impact on the management of WHS
principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing WHS
relevant commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material, and other relevant publications
risk as the effect of uncertainty on objectives
risk management as a duty of PCBUs or their officers under WHS legislation
roles and responsibilities of individuals and parties under WHS legislation
standard industry controls for a range of hazards
techniques, tools and processes for identifying and controlling health and safety hazards and risks, including:
hazard and risk checklists
hazard hunts
job safety analyses
manifests and registers, including for dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals and plant
safe work method statements
surveys using questionnaires, interviews and other survey techniques
workplace inspections and walk throughs.
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: complete risk assessment using a range tools and processes outline risk factors and recommended risk controls for a hazard action plan to implement risk controls and risk-management processes, including positive performance indicators to monitor implementation knowledge of relevant WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: a workplace or simulated workplace workplace documentation office equipment and resources relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines relating to risks found in the workplace. |
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 hazard identification, risk assessment, and control and management actions taken demonstration of techniques used to identify hazards, to assess associated risks, and to control, monitor and evaluate risks direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on observation of performance in role plays observation of presentations oral or written questioning to assess knowledge review of action plans written reports on hazard-identification and risk-management activities. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: BSBWHS503A Contribute to the systematic management of WHS risk BSBWHS506A Contribute to developing, implementing and maintaining WHS management systems BSBWHS507A Contribute to managing WHS information systems BSBWHS508A Manage WHS hazards associated with plant. |
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: | Australian and international standards industry bodies and groups unions websites, journals and newsletters WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, guidelines and other information issued by WHS regulators WHS specialists workers’ compensation insurance agents workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems. |
Hazards and risks may include: | hazards and risks associated with particular industries and/or occupations hazards and risks determined by: needs of the workplace, local industry and regional contexts how common they are or could be how big a problem they are or could be, in terms of severity of actual or potential harm, and numbers of workers they may harm potential or actual costs, impacts on the organisation/industry, and requirements to comply with hazard and industry-specific WHS regulations and codes of practice commonly occurring hazards: 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. |
WHS legislation may include: | Acts regulations codes of practice. |
Duty holders may include: | as specified in WHS Acts: PCBUs or their officers workers other persons at a workplace. |
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.