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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Facilitate initial assessment of situation
  2. Participate in the establishment of an investigation processes
  3. Collect information and data for analysis
  4. Analyse information and data gathered to identify immediate and underlying causes and practical prevention measures
  5. Compile investigation report
  6. Facilitate initial assessment of situation
  7. Participate in the establishment of an investigation processes
  8. Collect information and data for analysis
  9. Analyse information and data gathered to identify immediate and underlying causes and practical prevention measures
  10. Compile investigation report

Required Skills

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

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in

relating to people from a range of social cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

communicating effectively with personnel at all levels of organisation and OHS specialists and as required emergency service personnel

preparing legally defensible reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee OHS representatives managers and supervisors

managing own tasks within time frame

using consultation and negotiation skills particularly in relation to developing plans and implementing and monitoring designated actions

analysing relevant workplace information and data and make observations including of workplace tasks and interactions between people their activities equipment environment and systems

using language and literacy skills appropriate to the workgroup and the task

using basic computer and information technology skills to access internal and external information and data on OHS

paying attention to detail when making observations and recording outcomes

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of

roles and responsibilities under OHS legislation of employees including supervisors and contractors

legislative requirements for OHS information and data and consultation

rights of OHS inspectors

requirements for record keeping that addresses OHS privacy and other legislation

stateterritoryCommonwealth OHS legislation Acts regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material including prescriptive and performance approaches and links to other relevant legislation such as industrial relations equal employment opportunity workers compensation rehabilitation etc

structure and forms of legislation including regulations codes of practice associated standards and guidance material

concept of common law duty of care

methods of providing evidence of compliance with OHS legislation

principles and practices of continuity and validity of evidence retention for potential legal action

requirements for reporting under OHS and other relevant legislation including notification and reporting of incidents

requirements under hazard specific OHS legislation and codes of practice

basic principles of incident causation and injury processes

characteristics mode of action and units measurement of major hazard types

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

standard industry controls for a range of hazards

principles and practices of systematic approaches to managing OHS

other function areas that impact on the management of OHS

internal and external sources of OHS information and data

how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on risk and the systematic approach to managing OHS eg

labour market changes

structure and organisation of workforce eg parttime casual and contract workers shift rosters geographical location

language literacy and numeracy

communication skills

cultural backgroundworkplace diversity

gender

workers with special needs

ethics related to professional practice

knowledge of organisational OHS policies and procedures

nature of workplace processes including work flow planning and control and hazards relevant to the particular workplace

formal and informal communication and consultation processes and key personnel related to communication

language literacy and cultural profile of the workgroup

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor performance criteria The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package

Units to be assessed together

Coassessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include

PSPETHCB Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOVA Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies

PSPLEGNB Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPSOHSA Apply principles of OHS risk management

PSPSOHS504A Apply principles of OHS risk management

PSPSOHSA Manage hazards in the work environment

PSPSOHS505A Manage hazards in the work environment

PSPSOHSA Monitor and facilitate the management of hazards associated with plant

PSPSOHS506A Monitor and facilitate the management of hazards associated with plant

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria look for evidence that confirms

knowledge requirements of this unit

skill requirements of this unit

application of employability skills as they relate to this unit

Resources required to carry out assessment

Resources essential for assessment include

legislation policy procedures and protocols relating to the investigation of incidents

workplace documentation case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when participating in the investigation of incidents

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when participating in the investigation of incidents including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

participation in the investigation of incidents in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time

Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands such as literacy and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace andor training courses and may include a combination of two or more of

workplace projects

simulation or role plays

case studies and scenarios

observation

portfolios

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments


Range Statement

The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.

Relevant government agencies may include:

OHS authorities

environment protection agencies

police and other emergency services

Key persons within the organisation may include:

senior management

OHS specialists within organisation

organisational legal advisor

union or staff association representatives

workgroup members

supervisors

personnel involved in incident/situation

employee assistance personnel

external specialist personnel and contractors

Complexity may be affected by:

legal implications arising from the incident or post incident related matters

involvement of external agencies

language competencies of parties involved

technical implications

seriousness of injury or other outcomes

conflict of interest issues

existence of secondary hazards

administrative implications

level of public or political interest

international conventions

number of other parties, including sub-contractors

Stakeholders and interested parties may include:

community

the organisation's board or advisory council

coroner

government agencies, including OHS and emergency service agencies

managers

insurance companies

employees and family members

politicians

workgroup members and people who may be exposed to similar situations

unions

employers

designers

manufacturers

suppliers and distributors

persons in control of workplaces

sub-contractors

importers

installers

media

Investigation team should include persons:

familiar with the task and the work environment

responsible for performance standards within the work environment (e.g. supervisor)

with OHS expertise

in OHS representative role

in authority in organisation such as company/organisational legal advisor and technical experts as required

Note: that different roles may be performed by the one person, especially in smaller organisations

Barriers to investigation may include:

changes to incident scene

length of time from when incident occurred/first identified

management and employee attitude including desire to protect self and others

political and community stakeholder sensitivity

time limits imposed

limited resources available

legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, short-term or long-term)

geographical location and/or accessibility

economic implications

condition of witnesses

cultural issues

language

availability of research data and analysis or testing equipment

availability of technical design information and data relevant to the investigation

lack of records

Conceptual basis for the analysis should:

emphasise analysis of the systems in place at the time of the incident

focus on the 'why' and 'how' rather than the 'what'

encourage an open minded, objective approach

not focus on individual behaviour or fault

Time line of events should:

extend back in time as far as required and not just focus on immediate events

Acausative event is:

the key event that resulted in the particular outcome/s of injury or damage

Condition is:

a permanent situation such as type of equipment, work practice, design of work environment

Circumstance is:

a short-term situation that is relatively unusual, such as a storm or when a key person is absent

Target audiences for the report/s may include:

board of management

senior managers

OHS committee

external agencies

police or coroner