ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Evaluate effectiveness of systematic approaches to identifying OHS hazards

1.1 Workplace hazard identification activities being undertaken are identified and compared with organisational policies and procedures.

1.2 Products, processes and systems are examined to determine whether hazards of long latency and low frequency/high consequence are included and minimised.

1.3 Products, processes and systems are examined to determine whether risks to persons other than employees are identified and minimised.

1.4 Organisational factors that impact on OHS are identified.

1.5 Outcomes of the evidence gathering are reviewed with specialist personnel, if required.

2 Evaluate the effectiveness of systematic approaches to OHS risk management

2.1 Appropriateness of the organisation's risk assessment tool/s and processes are evaluated.

2.2 Outcomes of the risk assessment process are assessed for validity, reliability and inclusion of all major OHS risks, in particular demonstrated use of risk assessment methods in the organisation.

2.3 Risk controls are evaluated for suitability and effectiveness in relation to the organisation's systematic management of OHS.

3 Evaluate the effectiveness of systematic OHS monitoring processes

3.1 The scope of organisational processes to monitor the implementation and status of systematic approaches to managing OHS is evaluated.

3.2 The quality of information and data obtained from the monitoring processes is evaluated.

3.3 The managerial level of response to the issues raised in the monitoring process is evaluated in relation to the level of risk.

4 Assess whether the OHS management approaches have produced improved performance

4.1 Performance indicators (including positive performance indicators) are evaluated to determine whether they provide a true, reliable and timely measure of the effectiveness of the OHS management approaches to reducing OHS risk.

4.2 Reported performance is compared with evidence gathered, and differences are documented.

4.3 Outcomes of evaluation of performance are documented in a clear and objective manner.

5 Assess and advise on organisational OHS compliance against agreed benchmarks

5.1 Systematic analysis is undertaken to identify areas of OHS compliance and non-compliance with benchmarks.

5.2 Advice on the impact of legislation and standards on the selection, suitability and implementation of a range of OHS performance interventions is provided.

5.3 Outcomes of evaluation of compliance are documented and reported to key personnel and stakeholders.

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

contributing effectively to the strategic OHS performance of the organisation

managing own tasks within time frame

using consultation and negotiation skills, particularly in relation to developing plans and implementing and monitoring designated actions

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

analysing and evaluating a range of information and data carrying out simple statistical analysis eg mean, standard deviation, regression formats including graphs, maps, matrices, technical reports

using electronic information and data systems to enter workplace information and data and produce effective graphical representations

interpreting information and data to identify areas for improvement

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

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

roles and responsibilities in relation to communication and consultation for OHS committees, OHS representatives, line management, employees and inspectors

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

difference between common law and statutory law

concept of common law duty of care

requirements for recordkeeping that address OHS, privacy and other relevant legislation

standards related to OHS information and data, statistics and records management including requirements for information and data under elements of systematically managing OHS

nature and use of information and data that provides valid and reliable results on performance of OHS management processes (including positive performance indicators (PPIs) and limitations of other types of measures

development of tools such as PPIs in assessment of OHS performance

methods of collecting reliable information and data, commonly encountered problems in collection, and strategies for overcoming such problems

requirements for reporting under OHS and other relevant legislation including notification and reporting of incidents

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

characteristics, mode of action and units of measurement of major hazard types

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

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

types of hazard identification tools including JSA

limitations of generic hazard and risk checklists and risk ranking processes

sampling methodologies, application and related statistical measures

principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing OHS

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

requirements of OHS and standards related to systematically 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 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

auditing methods and techniques

benefits, limitations and use of a range of communication strategies and tools appropriate to the workplace

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

ethics related to professional practice

methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation

professional liability in relation to providing advice

principles of effective meetings including agendas, action planning, chair and secretarial duties, minutes and action items

organisational OHS policies and procedures

nature of workplace processes (including work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the particular workplace

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

language, literacy and cultural profile of the work group

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

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

PSPMNGT602B Manage resources

PSPMNGT611A Manage evaluations

PSPSOHS608A Conduct an OHS audit.

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 evaluation of organisational OHS performance

workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when evaluating an organisation's OHS performance.

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 evaluating an organisation's OHS performance, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

evaluation of an organisation's OHS performance in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time, with at least 1 evaluation of broad scope.

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.

A hazard is:

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

Hazards of long latency include:

conditions, illnesses and other health risks that result from longer term exposure to specific triggers such as chemicals, noise, radiation and psychosocial factors

Low frequency/high consequence hazards are:

high impact events that occur rarely such as explosions, fires and building collapses but may result in very serious injury, death or multiple death situations

A 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

Persons other than employees may include:

neighbourhood or local community members

contractors

visitors to premises

customers/clients

Organisational factors may include:

geographical spread of sites

roster and shift arrangements

supervision structure

participatory arrangements

authority and reporting structure

workforce structure such as labour hire, contractors, part-time and casual workers

cultural diversity

workplace culture including industrial relations and safety culture

other management systems requiring interface or integration with management of OHS

nature of hazards and level of risk

Specialist personnel may include:

external consultants specialising in specific areas of OHS such as safety engineering, ergonomics, hygiene, toxicology, psychology, occupational health

specialist staff within government agencies offering assistance in specialist or problem areas within OHS

Positive performance indicators are:

a means of focusing on assessing how successfully a workplace is performing through measuring OHS processes

Benchmarks may include:

specific legislation

OHS management system standards

industry specific standards

organisation's business plan

Key personnel and stakeholders may include:

boards of management and shareholders

management, persons in control of the workplace, supervisors

employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including health and safety representatives and OHS committee members

customers/clients