Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to effectively identify hazardous substances  that may be present in the workplace, and to monitor the hazard and hazard controls  that have been recommended/implemented.

The unit includes reporting the results of this identification and monitoring to commanders/managers.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the identification of a hazardous substance in the workplace 

1.1 Hazardous substance are observed and identified in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 

1.2 Any existing organisational records  relevant to the hazardous substance are identified and accessed

1.3 Relevant occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements , are applied in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

1.4 Appropriate consultation with stakeholders  is conducted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2. Monitor hazardous substance abatement plans or controls 

2.1 Workplace walkthroughs and observations  are conducted in accordance with organisational guidelines, legislation and standing operating procedures

2.2 Breaches of protocols, plans and local controls are recorded and reported  in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines and relevant legislation

2.3 Monitoring equipment, where installed, is regularly inspected in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines and relevant legislation

3. Maintain workplace hazardous substance records / documentation 

3.1 Workplace hazardous substance records are maintained in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines, and relevant legislation

3.2 Equipment maintenance records/documentation are maintained in accordance with manufacturers' manuals/guidelines and/or organisational policy and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• communicate effectively
• negotiate
• plan

Required Knowledge 

• hazardous substances likely to be found in the workplace
• OH&S requirements relevant to hazardous substances in the workplace
• organisational policy and standards relevant to hazardous substances

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace; to make a subjective and qualitative assessment during a walkthrough/survey; and to identify changes in workplace configurations.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of environments and workplace hazardous substance sources either in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to relevant research material, manufacturers' equipment specifications, existing related standards, policies and instructions and work areas in the area of responsibility.

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Hazardous substances may include 

Substances, which have the potential, through being used at work, to harm the health or safety of persons and/or the environment (surface/ground water, flora, fauna, atmosphere, soil etc.) at or near the workplace

Hazard controls may include 

Barriers and/or guards

Elimination or substitution

Limitations and/or controls on how and when the hazardous substance is used

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Observing hazardous substances may include 

An incident

When a hazardous substance is observed/registered, recognised and acknowledge

Identifying hazardous substances may include 

Identifying the source of the substance

Organisational policy and procedures may include 

Manuals

Relevant legislation

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Organisational records may include 

Electronic records

Inventories

Journals

Registers

Occupational health and safety requirements must abide by 

State/territory/commonwealth and local government OH&S legislation and industry standards

Stakeholders may include 

External agencies

Government/agency regulators/inspectors

Immediate supervisors

Internal agencies

Other interested parties, including members of the public

Relevant personnel in the chain of command

Unit managers

Workplace walkthroughs and observations may be 

Ad hoc

Formal

Informal

Scheduled

Unscheduled

Reporting breaches means that 

The hazardous substance safety issue is brought to the attention of the relevant person in the chain of command in accordance with standing operating procedures

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil