ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine OH&S issues relating to immediate work environment

1.1. Identify person responsible for OH&S standards in the subject workplace

1.2. Identify OH&S standards that apply to the workplace

1.3. Review and assess workplace according to OH&Sstandards and record findings

1.4. Report issues or problems with the workplace to the appropriate person

2. Document and disseminate OH&S requirements

2.1. Determine and document the OH&S standards impact upon the subject workplace

2.2. Submit documentation to appropriate person for verification

2.3. Update or reissue OH&S documents relating to IT as required

3. Provide basic ergonomic advice

3.1. Assess basic ergonomic requirements of people in the workplace

3.2. Document the ergonomic advice for client based on vendor requirements, workplace policies and OH&S standards

3.3. Submit advice to the appropriateperson for verification

Required skills

Reading and writing at a level where basic workplace documents are understood and presented

Questioning and active listening employed to confirm information

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with clients and team members

Problem solving skills for a defined range of predictable problems

Required knowledge

General OH&S principles, responsibilities and legislation

General ergonomic principles to avoid back, wrist and eye strain

Procedures and exercises for avoiding strain and injury

Current business practices in relation to preparing reports

Broad knowledge of OH&S requirements in relation to work safety, environmental factors and ergonomic considerations

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

Assessment must ensure that a person has the ability to comply with OH&S requirements relating to the use of computing equipment through the practical demonstration of the identification of unsafe practices. All findings should be reported to a supervisor. A basic understanding of the principles and practices around computer-related ergonomics should be demonstrated.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Simulated workplace environment

Workplace OH&S policies

Context of and specific resources for assessment

In many workplaces the objectives of OH&S are to increase productivity, safety, and comfort through the use of design, awareness and training. Ergonomic solutions relating to products and people/product interaction can reduce the potential for harm to a user when performing certain computer related tasks.

An individual completing this competency would be able to demonstrate knowledge of OH&S requirements and the application of basic ergonomic principles to computing.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover selecting, adapting and transferring skills and knowledge to new environments and providing technical advice and some leadership in resolution of specified problems. This would be applied across a range of roles in a variety of contexts with some complexity in the extent and choice of options available.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a defined range of skilled operations, usually within a range of broader related activities involving known routines, methods and procedures, where some discretion and judgement is required in the section of equipment, services or contingency measures and within known time constraints would be characteristic.

Applications may involve some responsibility for others. Participation in teams including group or team coordination may be involved.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate some relevant theoretical knowledge

Apply a range of well-developed skills

Apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems

Perform processes that require a range of well-developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required

Interpret available information, using discretion and judgement

Take responsibility for own outputs in work and learning

Take limited responsibility for the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

OH&S standards may include:

correct posture

lighting

type of desk

type of monitor

style of chair

typing position

repetitive strain injury prevention

ventilation

light position

correct lifting method

length of time in front of computer

May also include licensing-related and physical safety considerations such as general electrical safety and cabling, power supply and leads as they apply to computer and peripheral installations

Documentation may follow:

ISO/IEC/AS standards

audit trails

naming standards

version control

project management templates

report writing principles

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

individual people

internal employees

Ergonomic may include:

OH&S procedures

workstation: monitor, keyboard, mouse, desk, chair

foot rests, arm rests, document holders, exercises, posture, times for breaks, noise, lighting (glare, poor lighting)

Unit sector

Use

This unit contains employability skills.