Unit of competency details

Modification History

Not Applicable

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers understanding and participating in workplace occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures in order to ensure own safety and that of others in the workplace. It also covers recognising hazards and following workplace emergency procedures.

This unit is relevant for employees without managerial or supervisory responsibilities. Performance would usually be carried out under routine supervision, within company guidelines.

The unit is based on Generic Competency A in the National Guidelines for Integrating Occupational Health and Safety Competencies into National Industry Competency Standards (NOHSC:7025 [1998] 2nd edition).

Application of the Unit

Not Applicable

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not Applicable

Pre-Requisites

Not Applicable

Employability Skills Information

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills and Knowledge

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects of competency 

• Ability to accurately follow workplace procedures relevant to controlling risks in the workplace.
• Ability to identify hazards and risks in the workplace and report such hazards and risks to designated personnel.
• Ability to correctly follow emergency procedures in emergency situations. Note that evidence in this area may be gathered through simulations.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria 

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

• Rights and responsibilities of parties in the workplace under relevant OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice.
• Communication channels and procedures to report OHS concerns.
• Common workplace hazards and risk control measures including:

• range and meanings of safety signs and symbols in the workplace
• types and purpose of personal protective equipment
• site safety plan
• ways in which OHS is maintained in emergency situations
• equipment and material use, storage, cleaning and disposal procedures.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria 

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These relate to the ability to:

• follow safe work procedures
• identify potential and existing risks or hazards
• follow emergency response procedures
• communicate OHS information to appropriate personnel.
• use tools and equipment and products safely
• use literacy and language skills to:

• understand and comply with work instructions
• interpret safety signs
• read and comprehend product instructions
• participate in OHS training.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit 

Competency in this unit will underpin competency in other aspects of the candidate's role in managing their work tasks.

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

Resources required to assess this unit 

The candidate and the assessor should have access to the appropriate documentation and resources normally utilised in the workplace. This includes access to the following:

• a suitable work area, or a simulated workplace environment, that allows for identification of hazards
• personal protective equipment commonly used to reduce workplace risk
• relevant products, tools, specialist equipment, and associated instructions
• manuals and relevant documentation including occupational health and safety policies and procedures
• assessment documentation forms and record books.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit 

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

When assessing candidates, assessment techniques that allow a collection of evidence from relevant workplace experience should be used. Assessment against this unit may involve the following:

• continuous assessment in the workplace (observation), or a setting that simulates the conditions of a workplace (simulation), taking into account the range of variables affecting performance
• Self-assessment of performance on the same terms as those described above.
• interviews and/or provision of learning activities to check underpinning knowledge requirements
• supplementary evidence that may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence or reports from supervisors or team leaders.

Performance and assessment of this unit must be carried out within the relevant requirements of the legislative and industry framework and as set out in organisational OHS policies and procedures.

Key competency levels 

There are a number of processes learnt throughout work and daily life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work environments. Some of these work processes are covered by the key competencies  listed below. Information provided to each question highlights how these processes are applied in this unit of competency.

The number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency should be demonstrated.

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed alphabetically and may be present for this particular unit.

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• health and safety representatives
• managers
• OHS personnel
• other persons including emergency service personnel, authorised or nominated by the enterprise or industry to:

• approve specified work
• direct specified work/functions
• inspect specified work
• perform specified work/functions

• supervisors/team leaders.

Company requirements  may include:

• counselling/disciplinary processes
• maintenance of plant and equipment
• purchasing of supplies and equipment
• work procedures and work instructions.

Emergency procedures  may include:

• accident/incident reporting
• chemical containment
• evacuations
• following instructions from authorised or designated personnel during hazardous events
• provision of First Aid.

Hazardous events  may include:

• accidents (including motor vehicle accidents)
• acts of violence
• bomb threats
• chemical spills
• fire and explosions
• inhalation of dangerous substances
• natural disasters.

Hazards  may include:

• associated with electrical or mechanical faults
• environmental e.g. improper use of hazardous materials/chemicals
• ergonomic e.g. improper manual handling methods
• obstructive e.g. blocked access to emergency entry/exit points.

Identify hazards  may include activities such as:

• checking equipment or the work area before work commences and during work
• regular housekeeping activities
• workplace inspections of equipment and work areas.

OHS legislation  may include:

• general duty of care under OHS legislation and common law
• provisions relating to OHS issue resolution
• provisions relating to roles and responsibilities of health and safety representatives and/or OHS committees
• regulations and codes of practice including regulations and codes of practice relating to hazards present in the workplace or industry
• state/territory/Commonwealth OHS Acts.

Participative arrangements  may include:

• formal and informal meetings of:

• OHS committees
• other committees e.g. consultative, planning and purchasing

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

Workplace procedures  may include specific OHS procedures and organisational policies or procedures relating to:

• assessing and controlling risks
• consultation and participation arrangements for employees
• emergency response
• OHS issue resolution
• safe operating procedures or instructions that cover but are not limited to:

• awareness of electrical hazards
• confined space procedures
• 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.

Unit Sector(s)

Not Applicable