DEFOH018 - Conduct work health and safety inspections

DEFOH018
Conduct work health and safety inspections

This unit covers the competency required to conduct specific work health and safety workplace inspections in Defence.The unit requires the individual to research the background of the workplace, consult with stakeholders prior to the inspection and followup on the inspection to ensure that recommendations are implemented. 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 work health and safety workplace inspections 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. Prepare for work health and safety inspection	1.1 Previous inspection reports are identified and researched. 1.2 Incident reporting statistics are analysed. 1.3 Inspection tools are identified and prepared. 1.4 Personnel are informed and visit arrangements finalised.
2. Negotiate with stakeholders	2.1 Relevant stakeholders are identified and briefed on inspection requirements. 2.2 Key stakeholders are consulted to determine options for programming inspections. 2.3 Appropriate records of stakeholder requirements are developed and maintained. 2.4 Stakeholders are provided with current and relevant work health and safety information.
3. Conduct work health and safety inspections	3.1 Outcomes are negotiated with relevant stakeholders. 3.2 External agencies are accessed and utilised where required. 3.3 Inspection tools appropriate to the area are employed. 3.4 Inspection information is confirmed and recorded.
4. Finalise work health and safety inspections	4.1 Inspection findings and outcomes are determined. 4.2 Identified options and recommendations are explained to stakeholders. 4.3 Inspection report is prepared and presented.
5. Monitor implementation of inspection findings and recommendations	5.1 Feedback is obtained from workplace on implementation of recommendations. 5.2 Implementation of recommendations is monitored and assessed. 5.3 Changes to operating procedures are documented.

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

select and use appropriate inspection tools

identify hazards, assess risks

analyse workplace environment

evaluate work health and safety environment

solve problems

work effectively with teams/groups

encourage other team members

use a variety of verbal and nonverbal 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 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

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

examine the workplace being inspected

draw conclusions and recommendations from the inspection.

apply knowledge of relevant work health and safety legislative frameworks

identify inspection tools and methods appropriate to the workplace

apply of the principles and practices of work health and safety inspections

identify intervention points for 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 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 work 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.
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
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
External agencies may include:	COMCARE Other government organisations Industry groups

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.