Application
This unit applies to individuals who are required to coordinate and facilitate WHS activities. Working with WHS and other professionals is also an important component of facilitation.
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. Identify and engage with key WHS personnel and stakeholders | 1.1 Apply knowledge of workplace and organisation to identify key WHS personnel and stakeholders 1.2 Liaise and negotiate with key WHS personnel and stakeholders individually and in groups, both formally and informally 1.3 Review effectiveness of working relationships with key WHS personnel and stakeholders, and make changes to achieve any required improvements 1.4 Apply professional practice and ethics in working with others |
2. Communicate effectively with key WHS personnel and stakeholders | 2.1 Identify WHS information and communication needs and requirements of key WHS personnel and stakeholders 2.2 Identify and implement communication strategies using appropriate tools and methods 2.3 Review effectiveness of communication strategies and make changes to achieve any required improvements |
3. Work effectively with key WHS personnel and stakeholders | 3.1 Determine WHS roles, functions and responsibilities of self and key WHS personnel and stakeholders 3.2 Collaborate with key WHS personnel and stakeholders to gain agreement on roles, functions and responsibilities 3.3 Fulfil own WHS roles, functions and responsibilities and support others to fulfil their WHS roles, functions and responsibilities 3.4 Review own effectiveness and that of others and work with others to achieve required improvements |
4. Work with WHS and other professionals | 4.1 Recognise scope of WHS competencies of self and others 4.2 Identify particular WHS issues beyond own role, responsibilities and competencies requiring WHS and other professional expertise 4.3 Identify appropriate types and sources of expertise required to address particular WHS issues 4.4 Collaborate with WHS and other professionals to develop and agree on scope of work to be undertaken, types of services required and how these professionals will work with self and others 4.5 Facilitate and support the work to be undertaken 4.6 Evaluate if the work undertaken was that required and, if necessary, respond to ensure it is |
Required Skills
Required skills
analytical skills to analyse relevant workplace information and data
facilitation, communication and negotiation skills to:
apply listening techniques
conduct formal and informal meetings
contribute structure and process to interactions so groups are able to function effectively and make high-quality decisions
employ consultation and negotiation skills to develop plans and to support, implement and monitor designated actions
enable groups to work effectively, to collaborate and achieve synergy
expand and confine conversations as required to meet objectives
gain commitment
prepare reports and communications for a range of target groups, including WHS committee, WHS representatives, managers, supervisors and other stakeholders
recognise emotional states in self and others, and work with key WHS personnel and/or WHS and other professionals to respond effectively
relate effectively to personnel at all levels of the organisation, WHS and other professionals
support everyone to do their best thinking and practice
use language appropriate to the work team and the task
work with objections and other difficult situations
information technology skills to:
access and download internal and external information and data on WHS
prepare reports, and analyse and evaluate a range of information and data formats, including graphs, maps, matrices and technical reports
use a range of communication media
use electronic information and data systems to enter workplace information and data, and produce graphical representation
organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe
project-management skills to:
achieve continuous improvement and change in WHS matters
contribute to strategic WHS performance of the organisation
research skills to obtain internal and external WHS information and data.
Required knowledge
benefits, limitations and use of a range of communication strategies and tools appropriate to the workplace
ethics related to professional practice
formal and informal communication and consultation processes, and key personnel related to communication
key WHS personnel and stakeholders
language, literacy and cultural profile of the work team
legal liability in relation to providing advice
nature of workplace processes (work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the workplace
organisational behaviour and culture as they impact on WHS and on change
organisational culture as it impacts on the work team
organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems
particular WHS issues requiring WHS and other professional expertise to be addressed
principles of effective meetings, including agendas, action planning, chair and secretarial duties, minutes and action items
roles and responsibilities in relation to communication and consultation for health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, line management, workers and inspectors
roles, functions, skills and knowledge of WHS and other professionals
workplace policies, procedures, processes, systems, activities, actions and arrangements that support and enable effective consultation on, and participation in, effective WHS management.
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: understanding of own communication, facilitation and negotiation skills and knowledge acknowledging WHS issues that are beyond own skills, knowledge, role and responsibilities and that require WHS and other professional involvement developing a comprehensive brief or case to engage a WHS or other professional to address a particular WHS issue. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: a workplace, including key WHS personnel and stakeholders organisational documentation, information and data. |
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 direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on demonstration of techniques used to facilitate, negotiate and communicate observation of performance in role plays observation of presentations oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of communication, facilitation and negotiation skills and knowledge evaluation and documentation of performance outcomes. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: BSBWHS601A Apply legislative frameworks for WHS BSBWHS603A Implement WHS risk management BSBWHS606A Conduct a WHS audit. |
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.
Key WHS personnel and stakeholders may include: | contractors and subcontractors customers duty holders as specified in WHS Acts: persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers workers other persons at a workplace health and safety committees health and safety representatives suppliers unions WHS and other professionals WHS entry permit holders WHS inspectors WHS regulators Workers. |
Particular WHS issues may include: | WHS issues that arise: before changes to work practices and systems of work are introduced during periodic WHS reviews of the business operations prior to major shut-down, decommissioning or demolition of premises or plant when a hazardous exposure or incident, injury, illness or adverse result of environmental or health monitoring indicates that risk controls are inadequate when developing and implementing systems for the long-term management of WHS when establishing new operations or projects when establishing workplace WHS consultative and issue-resolution structures when managing complex issues related to psychological health, such as bullying and stress when planning to modify the work premises, plant, substances or materials for use at work when new WHS information and data become available from an authoritative source. |
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.