BSBWHS506A
Contribute to developing, implementing and maintaining WHS management systems

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to contribute to the development and implementation of elements of a work health and safety management system (WHSMS).

Application

This unit applies to individuals with organisational responsibilities to contribute to the development and implementation of elements of a WHSMS appropriate to the nature and scale of the organisation and its work health and safety (WHS) risks.

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. Promote the implementation of the WHSMS

1.1 Access sources of information to determine the form, content, purposes and functions of a WHSMS

1.2 Apply knowledge of WHS legislation to identify duty holders and their roles and responsibilities in a WHSMS

1.3 Apply knowledge of WHSMS and the organisation to communicate information about the WHSMS to individuals and parties

1.4 Advocate for the integration of returntowork or injury management as part of an effective WHSMS

1.5 Consult effectively with individuals and parties about implementing the WHSMS

2. Contribute to the development of WHS policy and commitment to the WHSMS

2.1 Apply knowledge of commitment and policy, to communicate to individuals and parties the requirements of commitment and WHS policy

2.2 Contribute to the development and implementation of an initial WHS review as required

2.3 Contribute to the development of WHS policy that meets requirements and is appropriate to the organisation

2.4 Facilitate and support the participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties in developing WHS policy

2.5 Support documentation and communication of WHS policy to individuals and parties

3. Contribute to the development of the WHS plan

3.1 Apply knowledge of WHS planning to communicate the requirements of a WHS plan to individuals and parties

3.2 Contribute to the development of a WHS plan appropriate to the organisation that meets requirements

3.3 Facilitate and support the participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties in developing the WHS plan

4. Contribute to the implementation of the WHS plan

4.1 Apply knowledge of implementation of the WHS plan to communicate to individuals and parties the requirements for implementation of the WHS plan appropriate to the organisation

4.2 Contribute to the implementation of the WHS plan appropriate to own job role

4.3 Facilitate and support the participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties in implementing the WHS plan

5. Contribute to the measurement and evaluation of WHS performance

5.1 Apply knowledge of measurement and evaluation of WHS performance, to communicate to individuals and parties the requirements for measurement and evaluation appropriate to the organisation

5.2 Contribute to measurement and evaluation appropriate to own job role

5.3 Facilitate and support the participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties in measuring and evaluating WHS performance

6. Contribute to the review and improvement of the WHSMS

6.1 Apply knowledge of the review and improvement of the WHSMS, to communicate to individuals and parties the requirements for review and improvement appropriate to the organisation

6.2 Contribute to review and improvement appropriate to own job role

6.3 Facilitate and support the participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties in reviewing and improving the WHSMS

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

present information 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

consultation and negotiation skills to:

develop plans

implement and monitor designated actions

information technology skills to:

download and upload information and data

use WHSMS and other software

numeracy skills to analyse workplace information and data

organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe

project-management skills to achieve change in WHS matters.

Required knowledge

barriers to WHSMS implementation and strategies to remove them

benefits to an organisation of having returntowork and injury management integrated into the WHSMS

documents relating to WHSMS:

regulatory authority WHSMS tools, standards and guidance

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – Specification with guidance for use

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – General guidelines on principles, systems

and supporting techniques

Standards Australia publication HB 211-2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – A Guide to AS4801 for Small Business

due diligence obligations as referred to in WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

essential content of a WHS improvement action plan

legislative requirements for WHS information and data, and consultation

nature of information and data that provide valid and reliable measures of performance of WHS management processes

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

range of commonly used WHSMS, and WHSMS certification standards

requirements for recordkeeping that address WHS, privacy and other relevant legislation

roles and responsibilities of individuals and parties under WHS legislation

WHS positive performance indicators.

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:

contributing to the development and implementation of elements of a WHSMS

formulating a WHS plan

knowledge of relevant WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

knowledge of the key elements of a WHSMS.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

office equipment, resources and workplace documentation

relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines.

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 the WHSMS

demonstration of techniques used to implement and maintain the WHSMS

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

observation of performance in role plays

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the WHSMS

evaluation of WHS needs and priorities

review of WHS plans and action plans.

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

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 may include:

employer associations

industry associations

regulatory authority

relevant Australian standards and publications, such as:

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – Specification with guidance for use

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques

Standards Australia publication HB 211–2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – A guide to AS 4801 for Small Business

WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards, guidelines and other information issued by WHS regulators

WHS professionals

WHS professional associations

WHS specialists

WHSMS tools, standards and guidance.

Duty holders may include:

as specified in WHS Acts:

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 and supervisors

PCBUs or their officers

WHS professionals

WHS professional associations

workers.

Requirements may include:

effective injury and claims management

effective return to work of injured workers

effective rehabilitation management of work injuries and disease

employer associations

industry associations

regulatory authority

relevant sections of relevant Australian standards and publications, such as:

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems – Specification with guidance for use

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems – General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques

Standards Australia publication HB 211–2001 Occupational health and safety management systems – A guide to AS 4801 for small business

relevant sections of WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards, guidelines and other information issued by WHS regulators

WHS specialists

WHSMS tools, standards and guidance.

Appropriate to the organisation may include:

consideration of:

size of the organisation

geographic location

nature of the business

available resources

nature of hazards and risks in the organisation

WHS and claims experience

WHS needs

requirement to integrate with other organisational systems, such as quality, finance, management, information technology and human resources.


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.