ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1.

Advise on the OHS requirements of the design process

1.1 Organisation decision makers are made aware of their responsibility for the safety of downstream users and beneficiaries.

1.2 Decision makers are advised of their obligation under law to design and supply a safe designed product by eliminating OHS hazards and controlling for residual OHS risk.

1.3 OHS is promoted within the design requirements and includes an overall risk evaluation of the designed product's life cycle.

1.4 The most current knowledge of OHS principles, materials, technology and systems is sourced and made available for application in the design of the product.

1.5 Required education and training to enable decision makers to have the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and eliminate OHS hazards, and to control OHS risk in the design phase, is identified and made available.

1.6 Relevant sources of information and data are identified and accessed, in particular equipment users.

1.7 Potential users of the equipment are consulted during the design phase.

1.8 Situations are identified where specialist advisers may be required.

2.

Develop a systematic hazard identification and OHS risk evaluation system for safe design

2.1 OHS hazards are identified and associated risks are analysed across the life cycle of the designed product.

2.2 A systematic analysis of the likelihood and consequences of injury or illness arising from exposure to identified OHS hazards guides the selection and implementation of the most appropriate OHS risk controls for the designed product.

2.3 Hazard identification and risk analysis includes potential alterations to the designed product during its life.

2.4 Decision making during the OHS risk evaluation process is documented and made accessible to all parties.

2.5 A residual risk register is established, recording OHS hazards not eliminated in the design together with possible control strategies, and distributed to those involved in the downstream or subsequent life cycle stages.

2.6 The design is monitored as it evolves to identify potential new OHS hazards and to manage risks if they become evident.

3.

Advise on principles of OHS risk control

3.1 Design to minimise risk is based on the hierarchy of control.

3.2 The designed product includes fail-to-safe action to minimise the impact of possible failure or defect.

4.

Advise on consultation processes between people involved in the life cycle of the designed product

4.1 Decision makers are advised to consider the range of people who will use or interact with the designed product.

4.2 Consultation between all parties is arranged during the concept and detailed design phases to identify and eliminate OHS hazards and minimise risk.

4.3 Residual OHS risk in the designed product is communicated appropriately to those who will use or interact with the designed product throughout its life cycle.

5.

Advise on contractual arrangements and procurement systems to minimise 'purchased' OHS risk

5.1 Decision makers involved in purchasing and contractualarrangements are advised to include a requirement to eliminate OHS hazards, minimise OHS risks, and provide information and data on residual OHS risk.

5.2 The design brief or draft specifications include an agreement to carry out a Safe Design approach.

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 reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee, OHS representatives, managers, supervisors and other stakeholders

achieving change using project management processes

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, make observations including of workplace tasks and interactions between people, their activities, equipment, environment and systems

using a range of communication media

conducting effective formal and informal meetings

using information and data gathering techniques such as brainstorming, polling, interviews

using language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task

using 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, contractors, OHS inspectors etc

responsibilities of designers etc under OHS legislation

principles of duty of care including concepts of causation, foreseeability, preventability

legislative requirements for OHS information and data, and consultation

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

principles of incident causation and injury processes

human error and implications for design of equipment, work practices and controlling ergonomic hazards

the basics of anthropometry and biomechanics

basic human cognitive and perceptual capabilities relevant to the design of human/machine interfaces

risk factors for manual handling injury and risk assessment techniques for manual handling

principles of human behaviour and response to interactions with human, physical and task environment to identify psychosocial hazards

direct and indirect influences that impact on OHS and the environment in the design of product/s

interdependent relationships between ergonomics and workplace stressors such as psychosocial factors, occupational violence, shiftwork, repetitive work, awkward postures, lighting, thermal

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures, such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

knowledge of a range of risk analysis/assessment techniques and tools and the application and limitations of those techniques and tools

standard industry controls for a range of hazards

strategies for minimising risk through application of ergonomic design and engineering, work layout, work processes, work organisation

types of hazard identification tools including JSA

pertinent sections of relevant Australian and other standards such as AS/NZS 4360: Risk management, National Standard for the Storage and Handling Workplace Dangerous Goods [NOHSC: 1015] and National Standard for Manual Handling [NOHSC: 1001]

principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing OHS

range of risk analysis/assessment techniques and tools and their application and limitations

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 e.g. 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

organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

ethics related to professional practice

professional liability in relation to providing advice

key personnel, including identifying 'change agents', within workplace management structure

formal and informal communication and consultation processes and key personnel related to communication

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:

PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service

PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion

PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPMNGT608B Manage risk

PSPSOHS603A Analyse and evaluate OHS risk

PSPSOHS604A Apply ergonomic principles to control OHS risk.

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 safe design principles to control OHS risk

workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when advising on the application of safe design principles to control OHS risk.

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 advising on the application of safe design principles to control OHS risk, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

provision of advice on the application of safe design principles 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.

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.

Decision makersmay include

any party with influence over the specifications of the designed product including but not limited to the designer, client or commissioning agent, financier, manufacturer, supplier, purchaser, installer, user, insurer, importer, erector, maintainer and regulator, and employees of these agents

Design

is the process of bringing together innovation, aesthetics and functionality to plan and create a product, process or system to meet the artistic, industrial or performance requirement of an individual or group; and

involves a series of activities where an idea is conceived, shaped, developed, produced and then acted upon to produce a designed product; and

includes any subsequent alteration of a designed product such as redesign or retrofit

Ahazardis

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

Residual OHS riskis

that risk that is unable to be designed out of the product

Sources of information and datamay include

international and Australian standards, codes of practice and guidance material

industry advisory bodies

government and other advisory bodies such as CSIRO, National Health and Medical Research Council, National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC), Australian Consumers Association

Commonwealth, state and territory OHS and other regulatory bodies

research literature

NOHSC National Standard for Manual Handling, code of practice and associated guidance material

Australian and international anthropometric databases

professional associations such as Ergonomics Society of Australia, Institute of Engineers Australia, Safety Institute of Australia

employer groups and unions

Specialist advisersmay include

engineers (such as design, acoustic, safety, mechanical, chemical, civil)

architects, interior designers and builders

design professionals

drafts people, quantity surveyors and surveyors

building surveyors and certifiers

occupational hygienists

specialist ergonomists

health professionals

legal practitioners

insurers

technical professionals

maintenance and trades personnel

manufacturers

suppliers and distributors

workplace trainers and assessors

Riskis

the chance of something happening that will result in injury or damage

measured in terms of consequences (injury or damage) and likelihood of the consequence

Risk analysisinvolves

defining the range of consequences

assessing the effectiveness of existing controls

deciding the likelihood of each consequence

combining these is some way to obtain a level of risk

Life cycle of the productincludes

design, construction/manufacture, supply/installation, use, maintenance/servicing, decommissioning/dismantling and disposal

life cycle cost considerations may also include environmental clean up and redesign/retrofit

Likelihoodrefers to

the probability of an event occurring

Consequence refers to

the injury or damage outcome of an event which may be expressed quantitatively or qualitatively; it should include an estimate of cost of injury or ill health

OHS risk evaluationinvolves

comparison of risk with pre-established criteria for tolerance (or as low as reasonably achievable) and the subsequent ranking of risks requiring control

Documentation of risk evaluationshould include

methods used

groups involved/consulted

description of consequences and their likelihood

information and data used in estimates

assumptions

effectiveness of existing controls

uncertainty in analysis

factors affecting level of risk

further information and data, and investigation required

A risk registeris

a list of the risks including:

scenarios or circumstances under which damage or injury may occur

possible consequences or outcomes in terms of injury or damage

an indication of the likelihood of the consequence/s occurring

Hierarchy of control means developing risk controlswithin the following priority order

eliminate the hazard

and where this is not practicable, minimise risk by:

substitution

isolating the hazard from personnel

using engineering controls

using administrative controls (eg procedures, training)

using personal protective equipment (PPE)

Fail-to-safe actionensures

that if there is a failure or defect in the product or another factor such as loss of power, then the product is left in a safe condition

Parties for consultationmay include

user

manufacturer

designer

builder

importer

supplier and/or distributor

installer

maintenance agencies

contractors

commissioning agent

disposer

Purchasing and contractual arrangementsmay include

specifications

statement of work

supplier pre-qualification

tender documentation

purchase order

Design brief or draft specificationsmay include

form or outline of document for design brief

instructions

technical requirements or specifications for a designed product, structure, item, systems or process

Safe Designis

a design process that eliminates hazards or minimises potential risk to health and safety by involving decision makers, and considers OHS risks throughout the life cycle of the designed product

a Safe Design approach will generate a design option that eliminates OHS hazards or minimises the risks to those that make the product and those that use it

Specialist Occupational Health&Safety