Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to follow and apply occupational health and safety (OH&S) procedures when carrying out work activities. It includes identifying and following workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control, contributing to arrangements for the management of occupational health and safety, and completing occupational health and safety records. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant OH&S regulations and procedures.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of the established OH&S and hazard minimisation principles and procedures to the conduct of workplace activities.

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. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control 

1.1 Workplace procedures for dealing with accidents, fire and emergencies are known and followed

1.2 Workplace procedures for OH&S and related work instructions for controlling risks in a workplace are accurately followed

1.3 Hazards in the workplace are identified and appropriate action is taken to report them and to minimise or eliminate risk to personnel, workplace and the environment

1.4 Safety regulations and established workplace safety and hazard control practices and procedures are obtained, interpreted and applied to day-to-day work activities

1.5 Where relevant, procedures and precautions necessary for entry into confined spaces in the workplace are correctly followed

1.6 Personal protection clothing and equipment is correctly used in accordance with established safety practices and procedures

1.7 Established emergency and contingency plans are followed in the event of an emergency

2 Contribute to arrangements for the management of occupational health and safety 

2.1 OH&S issues and identified safety hazards are raised with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant OH&S legislation

2.2 Contributions to OH&S management in the workplace are made in accordance with workplace procedures and provisions of relevant legislation

2.3 OH&S issues are raised with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant OH&S legislation

2.4 Participative arrangements for OH&S management in the workplace are contributed to within workplace procedures and scope of responsibilities and competencies

3 Complete occupational health and safety records 

3.1 OH&S records for self are completed in accordance with workplace requirements

3.2 OH&S records and legal requirements for the maintenance of records of occupational injury and diseases are followed

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant OH&S procedures and guidelines

• Risks when using manually-operated equipment to shift loads and related precautions to control the risk

• Reporting procedures in regard to unsafe situations, fire hazards, broken or damaged equipment or fittings, sickness and accidents

• Location and use of safety alarms, manifests, emergency shut-off systems, emergency communication systems

• Signs and signals used for OH&S warnings

• Terms used in material safety data sheets (where relevant)

• HAZCHEM symbols and implications for safe work and storage

• Storage and use of hazardous substances

• Handling of broken or damaged equipment

• Manual and mechanically assisted lifting and load shifting procedures

• Transport requirements for goods within workplace

• Emergency and evacuation procedures

• Housekeeping standards and procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when following OH&S procedures

• Read and comprehend simple statements in English

• Read and interpret relevant safety-related information including safety labels, instructions for safe work, relevant material safety data sheets, workplace procedures and codes of practice

• Identify containers and goods coding, ADG and IMDG markings and, where applicable, emergency information panels

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to OH&S in the workplace

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Estimate the size, shape and special requirements of loads

• Work collaboratively with others when following OH&S procedures

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may arise when following OH&S procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when following OH&S procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:

• applying the underpinning knowledge and skills
• demonstrating an understanding of workplace procedures and how they apply to OH&S
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate assessments using written/practical/oral assessments
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

The shifting operations may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Workplace hazards may include:

• chemicals and other harmful substances
• movements of equipment, goods, vehicles
• toxic substances
• damaged packing material and containers
• broken and damaged equipment
• inflammable materials and fire hazards
• lifting practices
• waste management and disposal
• extremes in weather conditions
• lighting levels
• floor surfaces
• water hazards
• traffic flows, vehicle and equipment operation
• a range of storage areas

Personnel in the work area may include:

• workplace personnel
• site visitors
• OH&S specialists
• union representatives
• contractors
• official representatives

Participative arrangements may include:

• formal and informal meetings which deal with OH&S issues
• workplace OH&S committees
• other committees, for example, consultative, planning and purchasing
• OH&S representatives
• suggestions, requests, reports and concerns put forward by staff

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• fax
• email
• internet
• radio

Designated personnel may include:

• workplace personnel
• supervisors
• team leaders
• management
• occupational health and safety personnel
• other persons authorised or nominated by the organisation

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• high visibility clothing

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information/documents may include:

• OH&S regulations
• workplace OH&S procedures and policies
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• ADG Code and material safety data sheets (where relevant)
• policies and procedures for entry and work in confined spaces
• manufacturers instructions concerning the use and servicing of equipment
• supplier and/or client instructions
• emergency procedures
• regulations and policies concerning noise, smoking, work station ergonomics and other critical OH&S issues
• goods identification numbers and codes
• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification
• relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation and safety codes, including manual handling, noise, confined spaces, smoking, workplace ergonomics, etc.
• general duty of care under OH&S legislation
• workplace relations regulations
• workers compensation regulations
• dangerous goods regulations

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management