DEFOH017
Conduct a work health and safety audit

This unit covers the competency required to conduct an audit of occupational work health and safety requirements in the Australian Defence organisation.The unit requires the individual to research applicable legislation and codes of practice, select audit tools, conduct the audit, and follow up on the audit to monitor the implementation of recommendations. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in the audit of work health and safety requirements as a workplace responsibility, but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.

Typically, these individuals must demonstrate the ability to work independently or as part of a team under indirect supervision. They must be able to use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, including:

Written and verbal orders

Standing orders

Standing operating procedures

Routine orders

Defence instructions

Procedure manuals

Doctrine pamphlets

Job guides


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for an work health and safety audit

1.1 Areas to be audited are identified and recorded.

1.2 Appropriate audit tools are identified and prepared.

1.3 Applicable work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards are identified and researched.

1.4 Appropriate auditing methods and techniques are selected.

1.5 All personnel involved in the audit are briefed.

2. Conduct an work health and safety audit

2.1 Relevant audit and work health and safety records are inspected.

2. Application of work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards are assessed.

2.3 Work health and safety practices, control strategies and management systems are assessed.

2.4 Auditing methods and techniques appropriate to the area are employed.

2.5 Audit is conducted and concluded within time and budget constraints.

3. Finalise an work health and safety audit

3.1 Relevant industry practices, processes and technologies are factored into the safety audit in accordance with standard procedures

3.2 Audit report is prepared and formatted in accordance with standard procedures

3.3 Audit report is presented in accordance with standard procedures

3.4 Audit records are updated in accordance with standard procedures

4. Confirm report recommendations and monitor implementation

4.1 Recommendations are followed through in accordance with standard procedures

4.2 Work health and safety system documentation is amended in accordance with standard procedures

4.3 Implementation of recommendations is monitored in accordance with standard procedures

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

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

identify hazards, assess risks and control risks

analyse workplace data

evaluate work health and safety system

solve problems

work effectively with teams/groups

encourage other team members

use a variety of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including body, language style, active listening

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

read and interpret work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards

Required Knowledge

relevant work health and safety legislation

work health and safety codes of practice and standards

work health and safety management systems

hierarchy of risk control

incident investigation and process improvement

written communication to a level required to complete workplace documentation and WHS audit reports

interpersonal communication

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:

plan and prepare for the audit

examine the materials being audited

draw conclusions and recommendations from the material

demonstrate knowledge of relevant work health and safety legislative frameworks

demonstrate the application of the principles and practices of auditing

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

Consistency in performance

Evidence for competency in this unit must be gathered over time and across a range of workplace or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or under conditions that accurately simulate a realistic workplace in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Evidence should be gathered while observing the individual conducting an actual or simulated safety audit. Documented evidence of all relevant research and a transcript of the audit and follow up should also be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to facilities and resources used to conduct an work health and safety audit 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.

Audit tools may include:

assessment and inspection schedule(s)

examination/tests schedules

audit 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

Work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards may include:

Defence Work Health and Safety guidelines

Legislation from all levels of government, including:

work health and safety

environmental issues

equal opportunity

industrial relations

antidiscrimination

Relevant industry codes of practice

Certification criteria for auditors

Auditing methods and techniques may include:

Assessment

Examination/tests

Structured inspections of workplaces

National/state/territory or other relevant assessment instruments

Outcomes from internal and/or external monitoring

Personnel involved may include:

Auditors (manager, team leader, team members)

Key members/representatives of the organisation being audited

COMCARE personnel

Organisation’s work health and safety advisers

Members of work health and safety committee(s)

Audit and work health and safety records may include:

audit and inspection reports

workplace environmental monitoring records

consultation, including:

meetings of health and safety committees

work group meeting agendas including work 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

Work health and safety practices, control strategies and management systems may include:

relevant organisation’s policy and procedural statements

relevant work health and safety legislation

operational manuals and/or standard operating procedures

technical reports

codes of practice

relevant standards

benchmark material/guidelines

evaluation/review mechanisms


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.