Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct safety audits of arboriculture work teams, work procedures and practices. It includes the detection of faults in height safety equipment and determination of remedial action.
This unit applies to individuals designated as 'Height safety equipment inspectors'. Work is implemented with low-risk work procedures to comply with Australian Standards (AS1891). Individuals work autonomously, instruct and monitor the work of others within a team. They use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.
Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Perform audit planning | 1.1 Identify objectives, scope and focus of audit 1.2 Identify audit target and required documentation 1.3 Determine audit process and sampling technique 1.4 Plan frequency and scheduling of audit events 1.5 Prepare audit documentation 1.6 Conduct pre-audit communications with client and relevant stakeholders |
2. Undertake safety audit activities | 2.1 Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA) and record and implement control measures 2.2 Conduct planned audit of personal protective equipment used on site 2.3 Conduct planned audit of tools and equipment for defective components 2.4 Conduct planned audit inspection of emergency and rescue procedures, practices and equipment 2.5 Conduct planned audit inspection of height safety procedures, practices and equipment 2.6 Conduct planned audit inspection of workplace safety documentation 2.7 Confirm currency of licencing requirements of individuals in work team for specialised work functions |
3. Identify and respond to non-conformance | 3.1 Assess safety audit outcomes against compliance to safety policies and procedures 3.2 Identify non-conformance with safety policies, procedures, manufacturer instructions and applicable industry standards 3.3 Identify and detect faults, levels of wear and damage in equipment and determine remedial action 3.4 Issue rectification notices for breaches in work health and safety policies, procedures and practices 3.5 Remove unsafe tools and equipment from service and tag according to workplace safety procedures 3.6 Recommend training to improve safety |
4. Record, report and present audit results | 4.1 Prepare safety audit report according to workplace procedures 4.2 Review safety audit outcomes against workplace policies, procedures and industry safety standards 4.3 Identify and record inconsistencies in safe work practices, and recommend action for approval according to workplace safety procedures 4.4 Make recommendations to resolve unsafe work practices according to workplace safety procedures 4.5 Record and report results of safety audit according to workplace procedures 4.6 Maintain equipment data and audit inspection records according to industry standards and workplace requirements |
Evidence of Performance
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has conducted, recorded and reported three separate safety audits, including completion of the following for each audit:
prepared for audit, including:
identified safety audit objectives, scope and focus
reviewed legislation, standards, codes of practice, manufacturer instructions and industry guidance required for audit
identified target operations and documentation required for audit
determined the audit process and sampling technique
determined the frequency and scheduling of audit events
prepared audit documentation for recording audit
communicated audit requirements with client and relevant stakeholders
assessed, analysed and documented site safety and implemented control measures
conducted site audits according to planned schedule against workplace and industry safety standards for the following:
testing and use of personal protective equipment
testing and inspection of tools and equipment for safety defects
inspection of height safety equipment for condition and suitability for intended use
inspection and operation of emergency and rescue equipment
maintenance of workplace safety documentation
confirmed currency of licencing requirements for specialised equipment
identified and recorded non-conformances and issued notices for breaches in safety policies, procedures and standards
presented auditing outcomes and recommendations and sought approvals, including:
recommended alternative equipment configurations and practices
removed from service and tagged unsafe tools and equipment
recommended training to improve safety
maintained inspection records and equipment data.
Evidence of Knowledge
An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to safe arboriculture work
process and procedures of developing and conducting safety audits, including:
developing safety audit objectives
understanding and developing safety audit scope and focus
specifying the operational targets for audit
audit sampling technique
scheduling the frequency and timing of audit events
developing audit documentation and checklists
communication strategies for informing key stakeholders of audit, and their purpose, including toolbox talks
testing and observation of safety procedures and practices, including:
work function and operational safety
use and condition of personal protective equipment
testing and observation of tools and equipment use on site, including:
defective components
correct safe operation
pre-start checks and shutdown procedures
use and maintenance of safety guards
restriction on equipment use
tagging tools and equipment
repair information and log books
application of Australian Standard AS1891 when testing fall arrest equipment
testing and checking operation and availability of emergency resources, including:
rescue equipment kit
first aid kit
emergency response procedures
testing and checking procedures used for:
arborist height safety equipment
rigging and climbing ropes
manufacturer guidelines, industry standards and applicable regulations to determine suitable configurations and use of arborist height safety equipment
purpose and use of safety documentation, including:
injury, accident and incident reports
job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
equipment tags and repairs log books
availability of chemical and material safety data sheets
audit requirements and safety procedures requiring certifications
procedures for assessing work performance and activities against safety policies, procedures and industry standards
managing non-conformance to safety standards, including:
non-conformance notices
professional development
changes to policies and procedures
recommendations for rectification of non-conformance
safety audit reporting procedures and documentation.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
access to an active arboriculture work site, or environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
resources, equipment and materials:
computer and word processing software
arborist equipment stipulated in the performance evidence
specifications:
workplace safety policies and procedures
client brief and instruction for safety audit objectives
preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to safe arboriculture work
Australian and international standards related to safety audits for arboriculture work including AS1891
manufacturer instructions for arborist equipment.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:
arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Identify and interpret critical information in documentation used for workplace compliance, including manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures for equipment, and industry standards |
Writing | Accurately and clearly report outcomes of safety audits using industry terminology |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)