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 non 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 anti 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.