MSAPMOHS100A
Follow OHS procedures

On completion of this unit, the worker will be able to recognise hazards commonly occurring at the workplace and follow health and safety instructions and procedures in the workplace.

Application

Application of this unit

This competency applies to workers who are required to follow OHS instructions and procedures relating to the work being undertaken. Workers will be aware of the importance of maintaining their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. Individual workers will also be capable of dealing with incidents and emergencies within their own scope of responsibility and under the direction of the supervisor.

While the instructions and procedures must be derived from the relevant organisation OHS policies, the worker is not required to understand or interpret these policies. This interpretation should be undertaken by the supervisor when informing workers of the OHS requirements.


Prerequisites

Prerequisites

This unit has no prerequisites.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Recognise hazards.

1.1 Identify hazards commonly found in the workplace.

1.2 Check work area routinely before and during work.

1.3 Describe causes of identified hazards.

2. Follow procedures for hazard control.

2.1 Follow procedures to remove or minimise hazards, within the scope of responsibilities and competencies.

2.2 Use required personal protective and other safety equipment.

2.3 Describe the potential consequences of failing to follow these procedures and instructions.

3. Follow emergency procedures.

3.1 Recognise emergency/emergency alarm.

3.2 Go to muster point following procedure.

3.3 Follow instructions related to the emergency.

4. Report problems.

4.1 Report to appropriate people in accordance with workplace procedures when hazards arise.

Required Skills

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

Knowledge and understanding is required of the workplace occupational health and safety (OHS) system sufficient to recognise situations affecting OHS and to take the appropriate action to rectify the situation.

Awareness is required that OHS issues are regulated by State/Territory Acts, regulations, codes of practice and industry standards.

Employees need to be able to follow OHS procedures.

Competence includes the ability to apply and describe procedures for:

recognising hazards in the workplace

recognising safety signs and symbols

recognising hazards commonly found in the workplace and standard controls

reporting hazards identified to the designated person/according to procedure.

Competence also includes the ability to:

describe the rights and responsibilities of employees under the OHS legislation

use and maintain appropriate PPE where required

communicate OHS issues

locate and follow OHS procedures under direct supervision.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to recognise and interpret safety signs and other basic safety information. It also requires the ability to report hazards in an appropriate way and to follow emergency instructions.

Evidence Required

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.

Overview of assessment

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

describe the workplace OHS system and know the importance of critical procedures

recognise potential situations requiring action

implement appropriate corrective action.

Emphasis should be on the ability to avoid a critical incident rather than on recovery from a disaster.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:

hazards and application of appropriate risk controls are known

other hazards in the workplace that may arise are known and reporting/taking actions are according to procedure.

Assessment method and context

Assessment for this unit of competency will be on a manufacturing site or in a manufacturing environment.

Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual work environment and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit requires a body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the work environment (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the job.

Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to a manufacturing plant or working environment over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of knowledge and understanding over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios, case studies, and 'what ifs' will be required, as will a bank of questions which will be used to check the reasoning behind the 'observable actions.'


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit 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.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This unit of competency describes OHS requirements applicable for all workers whose work involves the use of workplace policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for themselves and others.

It is expected that this competency may be applicable in combination with other industry, occupation or workplace-specific competencies. In all cases it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Hazards and hazard causes

Known hazards, such as those identified in procedures or training, are recognised. The underlying causes of these identified hazards are also described, eg the identified hazard is slipping, the cause is spilled granules.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of and checks on equipment and tools such as:

housekeeping checks, such as obstructions on the floor which may create slip/trip hazard

guards in place

equipment in safe condition

work area clear and organised

nothing unusual/different

emergency equipment available

PPE is functional.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

handling chemicals and hazardous materials

chemical and or hazardous materials spillage

gases and liquids under pressure

moving machinery

materials handling

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

fire and explosion.

Problems

Reporting problems means 'apply procedures to recognise and report hazards'.

Typical problems may include:

recognition of hazards

problems encountered in controlling risks associated with hazards

observation of an injury and/or incident which occurred in the workplace

clarification of understanding of OHS policies and procedures.

Personnel

Appropriate personnel for OHS referrals may include:

employer

supervisor

employees elected as OHS representatives

other personnel with OHS responsibilities.


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.