Application
This unit describes the skills required to provide information to work groups about work health and safety (WHS), involve group members in WHS practices and monitor the organisation's WHS performance.
This unit applies to those working in a supervisory role.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to work health and safety.
Those undertaking this unit work autonomously, drawing upon support from a range of familiar resources. This role requires task organisation, communication and analysis skills.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Provide information to the work group about work health and safety | 1.1 Provide clear information about the requirements of work health and safety legislation and codes of practice to the work group. 1.2 Explain the organisation’s WHS policies, procedures and programs clearly to the work group. 1.3 Provide regular information clearly to the work group about identified hazards, and the purpose of risk assessment and risk control. |
2. Involve group members in the practices of work health and safety | 2.1 Ensure that all members in the work group have the opportunity to contribute to WHS practice. 2.2 Use team meetings to raise issues and deal with practice issues. 2.3 Refer issues to appropriate personnel for resolution. 2.4 Distribute information about consultations over WHS issues to the work group. |
3. Monitor the organisation’s health and safety performance | 3.1 Identify gaps between WHS competencies required and those held by work group members to determine training needs. 3.2 Address identified WHS training needs with both on and off-the-job training programs in consultation with relevant parties. 3.3 Complete WHS occupational injury and disease records for work area. 3.4 Analyse information from the area’s WHS records to identify hazards and monitor risks. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least two occasions.
applying the hierarchy of control
reporting and documenting the processes and outcomes of WHS requirements
communicating verbally and in written form basic information about WHS responsibilities and processes
facilitating team meetings
identifying gaps in WHS skills or knowledge within work group
recognising patterns in information to identify hazards and risks in WHS records
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
working knowledge, consistent with the elements of competence, of all applicable WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
organisation’s policies and procedures covering WHS processes, recording and reporting
significance of equal employment opportunity principles and practices for WHS
significance of other management systems and procedures for WHS
understanding of literacy levels and communication skills of work group members and consequent suitable communication techniques
training program coordination process
appropriate personnel for referral of WHS issues
Assessment Conditions
Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Valid assessment of this unit requires a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered by an individual responsible for supervising WHS practices as part of a coordinated team, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
ACSF levels indicative of performance:
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the
Competency Field
Work health and safety