Application
This unit applies to individuals with managerial responsibility for providing a systematic approach to hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control, with the emphasis on elimination or, where this is not possible, minimisation of risk. It also includes conceptual models for understanding the nature of hazards.
In practice, applying the principles of OHS risk management may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as promoting ethical practice, using complex communication strategies, undertaking research and analysis, coordinating resource usage, promoting compliance with legislation, etc.
The unit provides the basis for the hazard-specific competencies PSPSOHS505A Manage hazards in the work environment and PSPSOHS506A Monitor and facilitate the management of hazards associated with plant.
The unit is underpinned by the units of competency PSPSOHS403A Identify hazards and assess OHS risks, and PSPSOHS404A Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk.
A more advanced approach to risk assessment, which identifies the separate elements of risk analysis and risk evaluation, is provided in unit PSPSOHS603A Analyse and evaluate OHS risk.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1 Access external sources of information and data to identify hazards | 1.1 External sources of information and data are accessed to assist in identifying hazards. 1.2 Workplace sources of information and data are reviewed to access and assist in identification of hazards. 1.3 Input is sought from stakeholders, key personnel and OHS specialists. 1.4 Formal and informal research is conducted to ensure currency with workplace issues. |
2 Analyse the work environment to identify hazards | 2.1 Occasions when action for hazard identification is required are defined, documented and communicated. 2.2 Tools are sourced to assist in the analysis of identified hazards. 2.3 Task demands and task environment are examined for impact on the person to identify situations with a potential for injury or ill health. 2.4 Workforce structure, organisation of work and work relationships are examined to identify situations with a potential for injury or ill health. 2.5 Work environment is examined for agents with a potential for injury or ill health. 2.6 Input is sought from stakeholders to clarify and confirm issues. |
3 Assess risk associated with a hazard | 3.1 Factors contributing to risk are identified. 3.2 Current risk controls for each hazard are identified. 3.3 Adequacy of current controls (if any) is evaluated taking account of relevant standards and knowledge. 3.4 Discrepancies between current controls and required quality of control are identified. 3.5 Hazards requiring further control action are prioritised. 3.6 Method and outcomes of risk assessment are documented. |
4 Control risk associated with a hazard | 4.1 A range of control options is developed in consultation with stakeholders and taking account of the outcomes of the risk assessment and the hierarchy of control. 4.2 Potential factors impacting on the effectiveness of controls are identified 4.3 Advice is sought from OHS specialists and key personnel if required. 4.4 Appropriate authority and relevant resources to initiate and maintain controls are identified and sought. 4.5 Actions required to achieve change are identified and documented. 4.6 Extent of change and reduction in risk as a result of controls is analysed. |
5 Maintain hazard identification and risk control processes | 5.1 A risk register is established and maintained relevant to the workplace. 5.2 Risk management procedures are documented and communicated as appropriate to stakeholders and key personnel. 5.3 Outcomes of risk management processes are documented and communicated to stakeholders and key personnel as appropriate. 5.4 Stakeholders and operational staff are involved in the risk management processes. 5.5 Situations are identified where OHS specialists may be required. |
6 Monitor and review risk management processes | 6.1 The effectiveness of the risk management processes is reviewed regularly. 6.2 Frequency, method and scope of review are determined in consultation with workplace stakeholders and key personnel. 6.3 Stakeholders and key personnel have input to the review. 6.4 Areas for improvement in the risk management processes are identified and recommendations made. 6.5 Action plans, including allocated responsibilities and time frames, are prepared for implementation. |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required skills: Look for evidence that confirms skills in: relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities communicating effectively with personnel at all levels of organisation and OHS specialists and, as required, emergency service personnel preparing more detailed reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee, OHS representatives, managers and supervisors managing own tasks within time frame using consultation and negotiation skills, particularly in relation to developing plans and implementing and monitoring designated actions contributing to the assessment of the resources needed to systematically manage OHS and, where appropriate, access resources analysing relevant workplace information and data, and make observations including of workplace tasks and interactions between people, their activities, equipment, environment and systems carrying out simple arithmetical calculations (e.g. % change), and produce graphs of workplace information and data to identify trends and recognise limitations interpreting information and data to identify areas for improvement using language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task using basic computer and information technology skills to access internal and external information and data on OHS undertaking basic research to access relevant information and data paying attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes. |
Required knowledge: Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of: roles and responsibilities under OHS legislation of employees, including supervisors and contractors legislative requirements for OHS information and data, and consultation state/territory/Commonwealth OHS legislation (Acts, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material) including prescriptive and performance approaches and links to other relevant legislation such as industrial relations, equal employment opportunity, workers compensation, rehabilitation etc structure and forms of legislation including regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material concept of common law duty of care methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation difference between hazard and risk risk as a measure of uncertainty and the factors that affect risk requirements under hazard specific OHS legislation and codes of practice basic principles of incident causation and injury processes characteristics, mode of action and units measurement of major hazard types basic physiology relevant to understanding mode of action of physical, biological and chemical agents on the body and how they produce harm hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures, such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures standard industry controls for a range of hazards types of hazard identification tools, including JSA limitations of generic hazard and risk checklists and risk ranking processes principles and practices of systematic approaches to managing OHS other function areas that impact on the management of OHS internal and external sources of OHS information and data how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on risk and the systematic approach to managing OHS e.g. labour market changes structure and organisation of workforce eg part-time, casual and contract workers, shift rosters, geographical location language, literacy and numeracy communication skills cultural background/workplace diversity gender workers with special needs benefits, limitations and use of a range of communication strategies and tools appropriate to the workplace basic knowledge of organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change ethics related to professional practice professional liability in relation to providing advice knowledge of organisational OHS policies and procedures nature of workplace processes (including work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the particular workplace language, literacy and cultural profile of the workgroup organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup |
Evidence Required
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package. | |
Units to be assessed together | Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include: PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector PSPSOHS505A Manage hazards in the work environment PSPSOHS506A Monitor and facilitate the management of hazards associated with plant. |
Overview of evidence requirements | In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms: knowledge requirements of this unit skill requirements of this unit application of employability skills as they relate to this unit. |
Resources required to carry out assessment | Resources essential for assessment include: legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the application of principles of OHS risk management workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when applying the principles of OHS risk management. |
Where and how to assess evidence | Valid assessment of this unit requires: a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when applying the principles of OHS risk management, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine application of the principles of OHS risk management in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time. Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged. Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of: workplace projects simulation or role plays case studies and scenarios observation. portfolios. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment. |
For consistency of assessment | Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments. |
Range Statement
The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance criteria is explained here. | |
External sources of information and data may include: | OHS regulatory authorities industry bodies employer groups unions OHS specialists legislation, codes of practice and standards databases such as national and state injury data and National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) journals and web sites manufacturers' manual and specifications |
A hazard is: | a source or a situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these |
Workplace sources of information and data may include: | employees OHS representatives hazard, incident and investigation reports workplace inspections minutes of meetings reports audits material safety data sheets (MSDSs) manufacturers' manuals and specifications |
Stakeholders include: | managers supervisors health and safety and other employee representatives OHS committees employees |
Key personnel may include: | managers from other areas people involved in OHS decision making or who are affected by OHS decisions |
OHS specialists may be internal or external and include: | ergonomists engineers occupational hygienists toxicologists organisational psychologists workplace injury and return to work advisors |
Workplace issues may include: | changes in work practice changes in equipment, including technology changes in work organisation, including contracting, hire arrangements, casualisation, supervisory arrangements, out workers, rosters, shift work, work hours and work relations changes to legislation and standards outcomes of court rulings new knowledge on hazards changes in social, political or community environment |
Occasions when action for hazard identification is required include: | at design or pre-purchase of buildings, equipment and materials commissioning or pre-implementation of new processes or practices new forms of work and organisation of work before changes are made to workplace, equipment, work processes or work arrangements planning major tasks or activities, such as equipment shutdowns following an incident report when new knowledge becomes available at regular intervals during normal operations prior to disposal of equipment, buildings or materials |
Tools may include: | job safety analysis (JSA) audits cause and effect diagrams surveys |
Task demands may include: | required precision or accuracy machine pacing or time pressure to complete a task physical or physiological demands arousal and alertness repetitive nature of task |
Task environment may include: | lighting noise air quality thermal |
Agents may be: | chemical physical biological ergonomic psychosocial |
Risk is: | the chance of something occurring that will result in injury or damage measured in terms of consequences (injury or damage) and likelihood of the consequence |
Factors contributing to risk may include those associated with: | equipment work environment work organisation task the individual/operator frequency and duration of exposure number of people exposed/ involved |
Relevant standards may include: | legislation codes of practice Australian and industry standards current practice in the industry current knowledge related to the specific hazard and controls |
Quality of control refers to: | the level and reliability of the control compared with the level of risk |
Prioritisation may be done using: | standard ranking tools specially designed tools other recognised processes |
Risk assessment includes identification of: | factors contributing to risk current controls and their adequacy discrepancy between current control and required standard prioritisation or ranking of a number of risks, where appropriate |
Hierarchy of control means developing risk controls within the following priority order: | eliminate hazards and where this is not practicable, minimise risk by: substitution isolating the hazard from personnel using engineering controls using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training) using personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Factors impacting on the effectiveness of controls may include: | language shift work and rostering arrangements literacy and numeracy levels workplace organisational structures (size of organisation, geographic, hierarchical) cultural diversity training required workplace culture related to OHS including commitment by managers and supervisors and compliance with procedures and training |
A risk register may include all of the following: | a list of hazards, their location and people exposed a range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which the hazards may cause injury or damage the results of the risk analysis related to the hazards possible control measures and dates for implementation |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Specialist Occupational Health & Safety.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.