The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by observing at least two instances of contributing to workplace safety arrangements.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

identify and encourage compliance with OHS legal requirements within a work group

apply organisational requirements and work procedures to OHS within a work group

share information with a work group about workplace procedures pertaining to health and safety in a readily accessible manner

apply a consultative and open approach to identification of hazards within a work group and ensure unresolved issues are referred to appropriate personnel

identify and assist with meeting the OHS training needs of a work group

apply equity principles for the purpose of accepting and respecting individual differences within a work group.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

assessment documentation forms and record books

manuals and relevant documentation outlining OHS policies and procedures

OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace

suitable work area, or a simulated workplace environment, that allows for hazard identification, risk assessment and application of risk control measures.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Required skills

analytical skills to:

analyse hazards

assess risks

evaluate risk control measures

interpersonal skills to relate to people from diverse backgrounds

language and literacy skills for:

communicating clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

documenting and reporting:

hazards

risk assessments

reading and interpreting:

product instructions

site safety plans

work procedures

OHS information

seeking and receiving feedback

sourcing and organising information

observational skills for identifying hazards

teamwork skills to provide support to work group through:

coaching and mentoring

identifying and contributing to training needs

Required knowledge

company management systems, policies and procedures, including:

OHS

hazard management

assessing and controlling risks

principles of:

access and equity

OHS management systems

risk management

provisions of OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice relevant to workplace safety arrangements, including legal responsibilities of:

employers

employees

other parties

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

OHS (also known as workplace health and safety) legislation may include:

general duty of care under OHS legislation and common law

provisions relating to:

OHS issue resolution

roles and responsibilities of health and safety representatives and OHS committees

regulations and codes of practice, including those relating to hazards present in the workplace or industry

requirements for:

maintenance and confidentiality of records of occupational injury and disease

provision of OHS information and training

state, territory and commonwealth OHS Acts and regulations.

Workplace procedures may include:

assessing and controlling risks

consultation and participation arrangements for employees

emergency responses

housekeeping

incident investigation

OHS procedures, including:

issue resolution

providing OHS information

record keeping

reporting OHS issues

training and assessment

safe operating procedures or instructions that cover but are not limited to:

awareness of electrical hazards

confined space procedures

provision of first aid

safe use of tools and equipment

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead powerlines

specific hazards

reporting OHS issues

use of personal protective equipment

workplace safety inspections.

Work group members may include:

contractors authorised by the organisation to perform specified work or functions

employees under direct supervision

entry-level trainees

full-time, part-time and casual employees

trainee supervisors and trainee team leaders.

Company requirements may include:

counselling and disciplinary processes

maintenance of plant and equipment

purchase of supplies and equipment

work procedures and work instructions, including those relating to disposing of, re-using or recycling resources.

Information may be:

about hazards and risk-management procedures

about nature of work, tasks and procedures

as part of providing direct supervision, such as to inexperienced workers

for induction of new workers

to assist in work tasks

to communicate legislation and codes of practice, such as those relating to work area hazards.

Readily accessible refers to information that:

caters for individual language and literacy levels

conforms to the principles of plain English

is openly available.

Appropriate personnel may include:

health and safety representatives

managers

OHS personnel

other persons, including emergency service personnel, authorised or nominated by the organisation or industry to:

approve specified work

direct specified work or functions

inspect specified work

perform specified work or functions.

Participating may include:

formal and informal meetings of:

OHS committees

other committees, such as consultative, planning and purchasing

health and safety representatives

suggestions, requests, reports and concerns put forward by employees to management.

Contributions may include:

behaviour that contributes to a safe workplace

listening to ideas and opinions of others in work group

sharing opinions, views, skills and knowledge.

Identifying hazards and assessing risks may include:

audits

assessing job and work system

checking work area and equipment before and during work

housekeeping

identifying employee concerns

maintaining plant and equipment

reviewing material safety data sheets (MSDS) and manufacturer or supplier information when purchasing supplies and equipment

reviewing OHS records, including registers of:

hazardous substances

dangerous goods

workplace inspections.

Controlling risks may include:

administrative controls

application of the hierarchy of control, namely:

elimination of the risk

substitution controls

engineering controls

administrative controls, including training

personal protective equipment (PPE).

Emergency procedures may include:

accident and incident reporting

chemical containment

evacuations

following instructions from authorised or appropriate personnel during hazardous events

provision of first aid.

Hazardous events may include:

accidents, including motor vehicle accidents

bomb threats

chemical spills

environmental issues

fires and explosions

inhalation of dangerous substances

natural disasters

public health issues

violent incidents, such as armed robberies.

Hazards may include those associated with:

electrical and mechanical faults of plant or equipment

blocked exits

environment

ergonomics

obstructions

reliance on low-order control measures to reduce worker risk instead of controlling the hazard

slippery or uneven floors

unlabelled chemicals and substances

untidy or noisy work areas.

OHS training needs may include:

emergency and evacuation training

induction training

specific hazard training

specific task or equipment training

training as part of broader programs, such as equipment operation.

Training may include:

coaching and mentoring

off-the-job training

on-the-job training

presenting and promoting benefits of a safe workplace

providing encouragement

providing feedback and clarifying points where necessary.