DEFWHS016
Conduct work health and safety inspections


Application

This unit covers the competency required to conduct specific work health and safety (WHS) workplace inspections in Defence. It includes researching the background of the workplace, consulting with stakeholders prior to the inspection and following up on the inspection to ensure that recommendations are implemented.

This unit was developed for Defence personnel who are involved in WHS workplace inspections as a workplace responsibility, but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.

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.

Those undertaking this unit would 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. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.

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. Prepare for work health and safety inspection

1.1 Identify and research previous inspection reports.

1.2 Analyse incident reporting statistics.

1.3 Identify and prepare inspection tools.

1.4 Inform personnel and finalise visit arrangements.

2. Negotiate with stakeholders

2.1 Identify and brief relevant stakeholders on inspection requirements.

2.2 Consult key stakeholders to determine options for programming inspections.

2.3 Develop and maintain appropriate records of stakeholder requirements.

2.4 Provide stakeholders with current and relevant WHS information.

3. Conduct work health and safety inspections

3.1 Negotiate outcomes with relevant stakeholders.

3.2 Access and utilise external agencies, where required.

3.3 Employ inspection tools appropriate to the area.

3.4 Confirm and record inspection information.

4. Finalise work health and safety inspections

4.1 Determine inspection findings and outcomes.

4.2 Explain identified options and recommendations to stakeholders.

4.3 Prepare and present inspection report.

5. Monitor implementation of inspection findings and recommendations

5.1 Obtain feedback from workplace on implementation of recommendations.

5.2 Monitor and assess implementation of recommendations.

5.3 Document changes to operating procedures.

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 one occasion.

interpreting WHS legislation, codes of practice and standards, and management systems

selecting and using appropriate inspection tools and methods

identifying hazards and assessing risks

analysing workplace environment

evaluating WHS environment

solving problems

using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including

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

writing at the level required to complete workplace forms and reports

applying principles and practices of WHS inspections

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


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.

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

interpersonal communication

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


Assessment Conditions

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

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.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.


Competency Field

Work health and safety