This unit addresses the application of occupational hygiene principles, knowledge, skills and techniques in managing WHS hazards and risks. It enables improved management of WHS through an understanding of how occupational hygiene contributes to WHS management; the appropriate application of occupational hygiene knowledge, skills and techniques; and working with occupational hygienists and other specialists.
The unit applies to people who assist with applying occupational hygiene to manage WHS hazards and risks. People who are required to assist with the monitoring of a range of physical agents and/or conditions in the workplace should use BSBWHS409A Assist with workplace monitoring processes.
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. Identify WHS hazards and risks to be addressed by occupational hygiene | 1.1 Use workplace WHS information to identify WHS hazards and risks 1.2 Apply knowledge of occupational hygiene principles, knowledge, skills and techniques to identify workplace WHS hazards and risks to be addressed by occupational hygiene 1.3 Identify situations where WHS specialists and other advisors may be required |
2. Assist with the assessment of identified WHS hazards and risks | 2.1 Assist with determining sources of exposure to identified hazards and risks 2.2 Assist with identifying occupational hygiene equipment and techniques for assessing identified hazards and risks 2.3 Assist with using occupational hygiene equipment and applying techniques 2.4 Assist with analysing and interpreting results of assessments, including the use of exposure standards 2.5 Assist with reporting the results of assessments, interpretations and recommendations to individuals and parties 2.6 Assist with ensuring reporting is understandable and meaningful and that format, form and content meet the needs of individuals and parties |
3. Assist with the design and implementation of risk controls | 3.1 Apply the hierarchy of control when assisting with the design of risk-control strategies 3.2 Assist with identifying problems with existing risk controls and providing remedial advice 3.3 Assist with developing, selecting and implementing risk controls and ensuring effective consultation with, and participation of, individuals and parties 3.4 Access external sources of information and data, WHS specialists and other advisors as required, about the nature and level of health hazards, risks and risk controls |
4. Assist with monitoring and evaluating risk controls | 4.1 Assist with monitoring and evaluating risk controls in consultation with individuals and parties 4.2 Assist with modifying risk controls in consultation with individuals and parties 4.3 Identify and document training needs associated with hazard and risk controls, and arrange training in consultation with individuals and parties 4.4 Assist with making recommendations about future risk controls as a result of evaluation and monitoring |
5. Ensure occupational hygiene activities are appropriate | 5.1 Ensure occupational hygiene activities comply with all applicable WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice 5.2 Ensure occupational hygiene activities comply with relevant organisational and workplace procedures, processes, standards and systems 5.3 Apply appropriate occupational hygiene principles, knowledge, skills and techniques according to available resources and own role, responsibilities, skills and knowledge 5.4 Seek advice, support and input from WHS specialists and other advisors where necessary and appropriate |
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse relevant workplace information and data
make observations of workplace tasks and interactions between people, their activities, equipment, environment and systems
communication skills to:
conduct effective formal and informal meetings and communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of the organisation and WHS specialists
use language and literacy appropriate to the work team and the task
write policies, procedures and plans
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 media
numeracy skills to:
assist with analysing and interpreting results from workplace measurements
use electronic information and data systems to enter workplace information and data
use measuring equipment applicable to selected hazards, such as scales and dials
organisational skills to manage own tasks within a timeframe
project-management skills to achieve continuous improvement and change in WHS matters
research skills to:
access relevant WHS information and data
interpret information and data
identify areas for improvement
pay attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes.
Required knowledge
common controls for a range of hazards and risks, their effectiveness and their limitations
how occupational hygienists work with WHS personnel, individuals and parties in the workplace to control WHS hazards and risks
organisational and workplace WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems
overview of:
analysis, interpretation and reporting of the results of occupational hygiene assessments and investigations
characteristics of WHS hazards and risks addressed by occupational hygiene, their effects on people and how these effects occur
exposure standards, and other standards and guidelines used in occupational hygiene, including their limitations and practical applications
how recommendations for occupational hygiene risk controls are developed, implemented and evaluated
nature and scope of risk controls, including the hierarchy of control in relation to occupational hygiene
occupational hygiene principles, knowledge, skills, techniques and methodologies
roles and functions of occupational medicine physicians, other medical doctors and toxicologists
sources and routes of exposure of hazards and risks addressed by occupational hygiene
training, education, roles, functions and skills of occupational hygienists
types, purposes, functions and use of occupational hygiene equipment
requirements for individual training and instruction in the fitting, use, maintenance and storage of a range of personal protective equipment (PPE)
requirements for selection and limitations of use of PPE
risk management as a duty of persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers under WHS legislation
sources of occupational disease and their prevention
WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice with particular relevance to occupational hygiene
workplace processes, activities, jobs and tasks.
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: assistance with assessing a range of WHS hazards and risks related to occupational hygiene, and reporting on assessments assistance with design, implementation and evaluation of a range of risk controls related to occupational hygiene knowledge of occupational hygiene principles, skills, techniques and methodologies knowledge of characteristics of WHS hazards and risks addressed by occupational hygiene, their effects on people and how these effects occur. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: relevant legislation, standards and guidelines a workplace for identification and measurement activities occupational hygiene equipment in good order, that meets relevant standards for function and performance. |
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 apply occupational hygiene principles to identify, assess and control WHS hazards and risks observation of performance in role plays observation of presentations oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of principles of occupational hygiene WHS risk controls evaluation of monitoring and sampling results assessment of reporting of workplace measurements, interpretations and recommendations to stakeholders review of documented training needs, and training arranged as a result of these needs evaluation of reports on occupational hygiene programs. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. |
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 hazards and risks may include: | biological agents, such as: viruses bacteria zoonoses animals animal products plants and plant products allergens hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods in different states, such as: solids liquids gases vapours dusts mists fibres physical agents, such as: noise vibration pressure light thermal environment ionising and non-ionising radiation. |
WHS specialists and other advisors may include: | engineers: ventilation, mechanical, chemical and electrical equipment manufacturers and suppliers internal and external WHS professionals occupational hygienists occupational medicine physicians and other medical doctors substance manufacturers, importers and suppliers toxicologists. |
Sources of exposure may include: | animals and products of animals environment outside the workplace materials and substances used in, or the product of work processes or otherwise present in, the workplace people physical work environment work processes. |
Individuals and parties may include: | health and safety committees health and safety representatives managers and supervisors PCBUs or their officers contractors and suppliers customers unions WHS inspectors WHS regulators WHS entry permit holders Workers. |
External sources of information and data may include: | Australian and international standards employer associations manufacturer and supplier manuals, specifications and other information National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) safety data sheets (SDS) Safe Work Australia state or territory WHS regulatory bodies unions WHS professional associations WHS specialists and other advisors. |
Training needs may include: | correct selection, use, servicing, storage and disposal of PPE housekeeping interpretation of information and data contained in SDS, technical documents or brochures about substances, tools, equipment and plant maintenance of equipment, tools and plant to ensure effective performance of control systems personal hygiene relevant WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice requirements for health monitoring and other aspects when using certain workplace hazardous chemicals. |
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.