Application of this unit

This competency applies to personnel with a specialised responsibility for maintaining the workplace OHSMS. This will typically be a manager, team leader or a technician with particular OHS responsibilities. The work will be carried out with the support of other team members.

Prerequisites

This unit has no prerequisites.

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

Knowledge and understanding of the workplace OHSMS and State OHS legislative requirements, codes of practice and relevant industry standards sufficient to maintain, evaluate and improve the workplace OHS management system within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies.

Management must be aware that, while employees have OHS responsibilities, line managers are ultimately responsible, under both OHS legislation and common law duty of care, for the safety of the workplace, including ensuring that employees comply with documented work procedures. This legislation includes general OHS legislation as well as that for hazardous substances, dangerous goods and major hazard sites.

Competence in this unit includes the ability to apply a working knowledge of the workplace, relevant OHS legislation and OHSMS to:

maintain an OHSMS already defined and established

identify types of data and information that will provide information on the effectiveness of the OHSMS in minimising risk

analyse the data to identify areas for improvement in elements of the OHSMS, including communication and consultation, reporting and hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control,

develop strategies for improvement in the OHSMS

apply the hierarchy of control to recommend actions to minimise risk

OHS record keeping and reporting as required under:

hazardous substances and dangerous goods legislation

OHS legislative requirements to report serious incidents and injuries and keep records of risk assessments

creation and management of other record such as:

hazard and incident reports, investigation reports

completed workplace inspection checklists and reports

external or internal reports

minutes of meetings.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to communicate in all modes and at all levels conveying what is often technical content/ideas.

Writing is required to the level of writing the required reports and documents.

Numeracy is required to interpret and manipulate the necessary data.

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

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Assessment will occur on an industrial site and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

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:

interact with the workforce to maintain the process that comprise the OHSMS

access and analyse information to identify areas for improvement

develop appropriate improvement strategies

apply a quality improvement process to implement and monitor change

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see thatthe required level includes a working knowledge of the workplace OHSMS. Look to see knowledge and understanding of:

OHS responsibilities of all levels in the workplace

the consultation processes, either general or specific to OHS

hazard identification and risk assessment

implementation of risk control measures by applying the hierarchy of control

new and relevant OHS information

OHS record keeping

OHS issue resolution legislative requirements for consultation prior to the implementation of change

sources and types if information that provide realistic information on the performance of the OHSMS

techniques for analysing OHS data, including simple statistical analysis and graphing of trends

types of internal and external change that may impact on OHS.

These aspects may be best assessed in a realistic workplace. Where this is difficult to access then steps should be taken to arrange access to realistic data and a visit to a workplace. Scenarios and case studies may provide a suitable adjunct. These assessment activities should include a range of problems that may be encountered when maintaining reviewing and implementing improvement to the OHSMS.

Assessment method and context

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

on an appropriate, industrial plant/site

in a situation allowing the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. 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

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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.

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

Context

This unit describes OHS requirements applicable for those with managerial responsibilities for maintaining and improving an established OHSMS within the organisation. This may be as a worker or as an owner of a business. This competency assumes that the OHSMS has been established by others, either internal or external and that expert advice is available either internally or externally.

The competency is to be exhibited within the area of managerial responsibility, which may be an entire organisation or department of an organisation. Roles and responsibilities will vary from organisation to organisation.

While relevant positions for maintaining and improving the OHSMS will include managers, OHS officers/managers it should be quite clear that the legal responsibility for OHS rests with the line managers.

Analysis of data may include statistical analysis, qualitative analysis or informal review.

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

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.

OHS Information Sources

Sources of OHS information may be external and include:

OHS legislation, codes of practice and Australian and International standards

OHS regulators and Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)

industry bodies

Internet sites, journals and newsletters

OHS policies and procedures

manufacturer manuals

risk assessments, JSAs, workplace inspections

MSDSs and registers

hazard and incident reports.

Not applicable.

This unit contains employability skills.

Not applicable.