PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements

Release: 1

PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements

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

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1 Follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control	1.1 Identify hazards in the work area and report hazards to appropriate personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and company requirements 1.2 Follow workplace procedures and work instructions for controlling risks in accordance with company requirements
2 Participate in arrangements for the management of occupational health and safety	2.1 Raise OHS issues with appropriate personnel in accordance with relevant OHS legislation, workplace procedures and company requirements 2.2 Join in participative arrangements for OHS management in the workplace within scope of own role and responsibilities in accordance with workplace procedures and company requirements
3 Follow emergency procedures in the workplace	3.1 Follow emergency procedures for dealing with accidents, fires and emergencies whenever necessary within scope of own role and responsibilities in accordance with company requirements
3.2 Report details of hazardous events to appropriate personnel in accordance with company requirements

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.

1	Perform the process	2	Perform and administer the process	3	Perform, administer and design the process
How can information be collected, analysed and organised (1)	Information regarding the work environment is compared against relevant policies and procedures.
How can communication of ideas and information (1) be applied?	Report or discuss OHS issues with relevant or designated personnel.
How are activities planned and organised (1)	Organise work tasks according to safe work practices.
How can teamwork (1) be applied?	Participate in ensuring a safe work environment.
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?	Mix chemicals according to product labels and follow equipment maintenance schedules.
How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?	Identify hazards and report to appropriate persons.
How can the use of technology (1) be applied?	Use equipment appropriately in the workplace.

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