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 reports for a range of target groups including OHS committee OHS representatives managers supervisors and other stakeholders

applying continuous improvement and action planning processes

achieving change using project management processes

managing own tasks within time frame

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

contributing to the assessment of the resources needed to systematically manage OHS and where appropriate access resources

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

carrying out simple arithmetical calculations eg change and producing graphs of workplace information and data to identify trends and recognise limitations of information and data

using electronic information and data systems to enter workplace information and data and produce effective graphical representations

interpreting information and data to identify areas for improvement

using a range of communication media

conducting effective formal and informal meetings

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

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

undertaking basic research to access relevant information and data

using measuring equipment including reading scales and dials applicable to selected hazards

interpreting results from workplace measurements

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 contractors OHS inspectors etc

principles of duty of care including concepts of causation foreseeability preventability

legislative requirements for OHS information and data and consultation

roles and responsibilities in relation to communication and consultation for OHS committees OHS representatives line management employees and inspectors

difference between hazard and risk

risk as a measure of uncertainty and the factors that affect risk

requirements under hazardspecific OHS legislation and codes of practice

characteristics mode of action and units of measurement of major hazard types

characteristics of sound and vibration units of noise sound pressure levels noise dose and process of hearing loss

different categories of chemicals such as dangerous goods hazardous substances poisons carcinogens etc

types of hazardous dusts and fibres hazardous environments and the possible explosion and ill health outcomes from exposure to dusts particulates etc

the effect of electricity on the body and the difference in action of fusescircuit breakers and resident current devices

difference between ionising and nonionising radiation and the principles of decay the effect of radiation on the body

physiology relevant to understanding mode of action of physical biological and chemical agents on the body and how they produce harm

physiology related to temperature control of the human body hazards of working in hot environments and appropriate controls

direct and indirect influences that impact on OHS and the environment in the design of products

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

the role of control programs for microbiological hazards such as vaccination local ventilation decontamination

requirements for individual fitting use maintenance and storage of a range of PPE items

requirements for selection and limitations of use of a range of PPE items

types of hazard identification tools including JSA

limitations of generic hazard and risk checklists and risk ranking processes

pertinent sections of relevant Australian and other standards such as ASNZS Risk management National Standard for the Storage and Handling

types of measurement and monitoring equipment including intrinsically safe equipment calibration requirements and principles of how the equipment takes the measurement and limitations in use

requirements for control of work permitswritten authorities in workplace monitoring activities

mathematical knowledge of units of measurement logarithmic scales decimals and order of magnitude relevant to making and interpreting measurements

exposure standards their limitations and their practical use

sampling methodologies application and related statistical measures

principles and practices of a systematic approach 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

organisational behaviour and culture as it impacts on OHS and on change

ethics related to professional practice

organisational OHS policies and procedures

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

sources of occupational disease and their prevention

knowledge of toxicology of hazardous materials and potential health effects in the workplace

key personnel including identifying change agents within workplace management structure

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

language literacy and cultural profile of the work group

organisational culture as it impacts on the workgroup

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 Maintain and enhance confidence in public service

PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service

PSPGOVA Persuade and influence opinion

PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion

PSPLEGNB Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPSOHSA Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS

PSPSOHS601A Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS

PSPSOHSA Analyse and evaluate OHS risk

PSPSOHS603A Analyse and evaluate OHS risk

PSPSOHSA Apply ergonomic principles to control OHS risk

PSPSOHS604A Apply ergonomic principles to control OHS risk

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 application of occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk

workplace documentation case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when applying occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk

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 applying occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

application of occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk 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

Workplace factors may include:

A hazard is:

OHS specialists may include:

Other advisers may include:

Sources of exposure may include:

Related factors may include:

Exposure standards are:

Hierarchy of control means developing risk controls within the following priority order:

External sources of information and data include:

Training needs may include: