Application of this unit should be contextualised to reflect any specific workplace risks, hazards and associated safety practices

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare to work safely

1.1 Identify hazards in the work area, and take action to control risk

1.2 Report residual risk according to organisation procedures

1.3 Carry out pre-start checks as required according to work procedures

2. Conduct work safely

2.1 Use personal protective equipment correctly and maintain when required

2.2 Follow work procedures and workplace instructions for ensuring safety when planning and conducting work

2.3 Report incidents and injuries to designated personnel

2.4 Undertake OHS housekeeping in work area

2.5 Manage own levels of stress and fatigue to ensure ability to work safely and sustainably

3. Participate in OHS consultative activities

3.1 Make a constructive contribution to workplace meetings, workplace inspections or other OHS consultative activities

3.2 Raise OHS issues with designated personnel according to organisation procedures

3.3 Provide input to improve workplace OHS systems and processes, according to organisation procedures, to eliminate hazards or reduce risk

3.4 Maintain and update own knowledge of OHS issues as they apply to workplace systems, equipment and processes

4. Follow emergency response procedures

4.1 Identify and report emergency situations

4.2 Follow organisation procedures for responding to emergencies

4.3 Apply knowledge of roles and responsibilities of OHS representatives and OHS committees

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

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

A basic understanding of the hierarchy of control

Awareness of the relationship between OHS and sustainability in the workplace, including the contribution of safe work practices to environmental, economic, workforce and social sustainability

Legal rights and responsibilities of the workplace parties

Nature of common workplace hazards such as chemicals, bodily fluids, sharps, noise, manual handling, work postures, underfoot hazards and moving parts of machinery

Roles and responsibilities of OHS representatives, OHS committees and employers

Safety measures related to common workplace hazards

Safety signs and their meanings, including signs for:

dangerous goods class signs

emergency equipment

personal protective equipment

specific hazards such as sharps, radiation

Sources of OHS information in the workplace with some limited knowledge of external sources of OHS information

Standard emergency signals, alarms and required responses

The difference between hazard and risk

The roles and responsibilities of employees, supervisors and managers in the workplace

Workplace specific information including:

designated person(s) for raising OHS issues

hazards of the particular work environment

organisation and work procedures particularly those related to performance of own work, specific hazards and risk control, reporting of hazards, incidents and injuries, consultation, use of PPE and emergency response

potential emergencies relevant to the workplace

potential emergency situations, alarms and signals, and required response

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Apply their knowledge of OHS by participating in OHS processes in the work context to address their own health and safety within their work area and that of others who may be affected by their actions

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Clarify meaning with peers and supervisors

Demonstrate preparedness to be involved in OHS activities, including inspections and meetings

Follow clear, logical verbal or clear, logical Plain English written instructions

Give accurate verbal or written descriptions of incidents or hazards

Interpret selected pictorial/graphical and written signs/instructions

Recognise opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Evidence gathered by an assessor to determine competence will include practical demonstration of competence, including:

workplace demonstration, simulation exercise, scenario or role play

indirect evidence from workplace supervisor reports and workplace documentation

Products that could be used as evidence include:

Verbal and written responses to verbal, pictorial, or physical scenarios

Demonstrated action to scenarios, simulations, role plays

Completed hazard or incident reports, completed workplace inspection checklists

Reports from work group members, supervisor

Processes that could be used as evidence include:

How contributions were made to consultative processes

How hazard inspections were carried out

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

A hazard is:

A source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these

Specific hazards may include, but are not limited to:

Alarms

Bodily fluids

Burnout (compassion fatigue)

Chemicals

Computer use

Cytotoxic medicines and waste

Defusing violent behaviour

Egress from rooms

Managing violent behaviour on outreach and home visits

Manual handling

Manual handling (boxes)

Moving parts of machinery

Noise

Rostering

Sharps

Trips falls etc

Underfoot hazards

Violence in the workplace

Work posture

Other workplace hazards may include:

Occupational violence

Stress

Fatigue

Bullying

Risk:

In relation to any hazard, means the probability and consequences of injury, illness or damage resulting from exposure to a hazard

Examples of risks requiring management in a direct client care work environment may include:

Worker fatigue or burnout requiring appropriate supervision and stress management

Injury or damage resulting from violent or aggressive behaviour, requiring strategies to defuse or avoid behaviours of concern

Risks relating to working in client's homes, requiring appropriate worker education and associated strategies

Fire in client's homes requiring workers to provide basic information on home fire safety

Residual risk is:

The risk which remains after controls have been implemented

Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes:

Equipment worn by a person to provide protection from hazards, by providing a physical barrier between the person and the hazard and may include:

head protection

face and eye protection

respiratory protection

hearing protection

hand protection

clothing and footwear

Incidents include:

Any event that has caused, or has the potential for, injury, ill-health or damage

Designated personnel may include:

Team leaders

Supervisors

OHS representatives

OHS committee members

Managers

Organisation OHS personnel

Other persons designated by the organisation

Employers in office based practice

OHS housekeeping includes:

Workplace and personal routines designed to improve health and safety; for example, cleaning up spills, keeping walkways, exits and traffic areas clear

Emergency situations may include

Any abnormal or sudden event that requires immediate action such as:

Serious injury events

Events requiring evacuation

Fires and explosions

Hazardous substance and chemical spills

Explosion and bomb alerts

Security emergencies, such as armed robberies, intruders and disturbed persons

Internal emergencies, such as loss of power or water supply and structural collapse

External emergencies and natural disasters, such as flood, storm and traffic accident impacting on the organisation

This unit contains Employability Skills