DEFOH002B
Conduct occupational health and safety inspections

This unit covers the competency required to conduct specific occupational health and safety workplace inspections in the Australian Defence organisation.The unit requires the individual to research the background of the workplace, consult with stakeholders prior to the inspection and follow-up on the inspection to ensure that recommendations are implemented.

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for occupational health and safety inspection

1.1 Previous inspection reports are identified and researched in accordance with standard procedures

1.2 Incident reporting statistics are analysed in accordance with standard procedures

1.3 Inspection tools are identified and prepared in accordance with standard procedures

1.4 Personnel are informed and visit arrangements made in accordance with organisation's policy and procedures

2. Negotiate with stakeholders

2.1 Relevant stakeholders are identified and briefed on inspection requirements in accordance with standard procedures

2.2 Key stakeholders are consulted to determine options for programming inspections in accordance with standard procedures

2.3 Appropriate records of stakeholder requirements are developed and maintained in accordance with standard procedures

2.4 Stakeholders are provided with current and relevant occupational health and safety information in accordance with standard procedures

3. Conduct occupational health and safety inspections

3.1 Outcomes are negotiated in accordance with occupational health and safety legislation and relevant policies and procedures

3.2 External agencies are accessed and utilised where required in accordance with standard procedures

3.3 Inspection tools appropriate to the area are employed in accordance with standard procedures

3.4 Inspection information is confirmed and recorded in accordance with standard procedures

4. Finalise occupational health and safety inspections

4.1 Inspection findings and outcomes are determined in accordance with standard procedures

4.2 Identified options and recommendations are explained to stakeholders in accordance with standard procedures

4.3 Inspection report is prepared and presented in accordance with standard procedures

5. Monitor implementation of inspection findings and recommendations

5.1 Feedback is obtained from workplace on implementation of recommendations in accordance with standard procedures

5.2 Implementation of recommendations is monitored and assessed in accordance with standard procedures

5.3 Changes to operating procedures are documented in accordance with standard procedures

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

interpret occupational health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards, and management systems

select and use appropriate inspection tools

identify hazards, assess risks

analyse workplace environment

evaluate occupational health and safety environment

solve problems

work effectively with teams/groups

encourage other team members

use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including, language style, active listening

read to a level required to interpret and analyse job instructions, workplace forms and inspection reports

write at the level required to complete workplace forms and reports

Required Knowledge

relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation

Occupational Health and Safety codes of practice and standards

Occupational Health and Safety management systems

hierarchy of risk control

incident investigation and process improvement

inspection techniques

written communication to a level required to complete workplace forms and inspection reports

report writing

interpersonal communication

verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including, language style, active listening

techniques for giving and receiving feedback

negotiation techniques

research techniques

analysis techniques

team dynamics

techniques for supporting others

composition of teams and roles and responsibilities of team members

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to prepare for the inspection, to examine the workplace being inspected and to draw conclusions and recommendations from the inspection.

Assessment must also confirm the ability to:

demonstrate knowledge of relevant occupational health and safety legislative frameworks

identify inspection tools and methods appropriate to the workplace

demonstrate the application of the principles and practices of occupational health and safety inspections

identify intervention points for advice to assist in work and to guide problem solving.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and should be observed in a range of actual or simulated work contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed by observing an individual within the workplace or simulated environment in a role where occupational health and safety inspection is required.

Evidence should be gathered while observing the individual conducting an actual or simulated workplace inspection. A record of all relevant research, interviews and the findings of the inspection should also be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to facilities and resources used in the conduct of occupational health and safety inspections of a site/unit or component of the organisation.


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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Standard procedures include

Written and verbal orders

Standing orders

Standing operating procedures

Routine orders

Defence instructions

Procedure manuals

Doctrine pamphlets

Job guides

Inspection tools may include

Assessment and inspection schedule(s)

Examination/tests schedules

Inspection plans

National/state/territory or other relevant assessment instruments

Outcomes from internal and/or external monitoring

Workplace procedural documentation/guidelines

Electronic databases

Training/learning programs

Checklists

Organisation include

The Defence department

The Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Australian Defence Force cadets

Defence contractors and sub-contractors

And may include units of the ADF

Records may include

Audit and inspection reports

Workplace environmental monitoring records

Consultation, including:

meetings of health and safety committees

work group meeting agendas including occupational health and safety items and actions

Induction, instruction and training

Manufacturer's and supplier's information, including:

dangerous goods storage lists

hazardous substances registers

plant and equipment maintenance and testing reports

Employee's compensation and rehabilitation records

First aid/medical post records

Occupational health and safety legislation and relevant policies and procedures may include

Defence Occupational Health and Safety guidelines

Legislation from all levels of government, including:

occupational health and safety

environmental issues

equal opportunity

industrial relations

anti-discrimination

Common law duties to meet general duty of care requirements

Regulations and approved codes of practice relating to hazards in work area

Requirements for establishment of consultative arrangements including:

health and safety representatives

health and safety committees

Requirements for effective management of hazards

Requirements for provision of information and training including:

training in safe operating procedures

procedures for workplace hazards

hazard identification

risk assessment and risk control

emergency and evacuation procedures

Requirements for the maintenance and confidentiality of records of occupational injury and disease

External agencies may include

COMCARE

Other government organisations

Industry groups


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.