Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain a healthy and safe workplace through participation in the process of identifying work health and safety (WHS) hazards and assessing and controlling WHS risks, and the promotion and support of worker consultation.
It applies to individuals who assist with the identification of workplace hazards and the assessment and control of WHS risks as part of their WHS responsibilities, which are in addition to their main duties.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) are equivalent and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the Model WHS Legislation has not been implemented RTOs are advised to contextualise the unit of competency by referring to the existing State/Territory OHS legislative requirements.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Participate in workplace hazard identification | 1.1 Participate in selecting hazard identification methods suitable for the workplace 1.2 Use selected methods to identify, report and record hazards according to workplace procedures and WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice 1.3 Provide information and assistance to persons conducting hazard identification |
2. Participate in WHS risk assessment | 2.1 Participate in selecting suitable risk assessment methods for the workplace 2.2 Use selected methods to assess and record risks according to workplace procedures and WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice 2.3 Provide information and assistance to persons conducting risk assessments |
3. Promote and support worker consultation and participation in hazard identification and risk assessment | 3.1 Advise workers of, and consult them about, hazard identification and risk assessment activities, according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes 3.2 Encourage workers to participate in these activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes 3.3 Advise workers of, and consult them about, the results and outcomes of these activities, according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes |
4. Participate in developing, selecting and implementing WHS risk controls | 4.1 Obtain workplace records of the outcomes of hazard identifications and risk assessments, and use them to participate in developing risk control options 4.2 Apply knowledge of WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, other information and guidelines, and workplace policies, procedures and processes to identify duty holders 4.3 Participate in selecting risk control options using appropriate criteria 4.4 Identify and report factors impeding successful implementation of selected risk controls 4.5 Participate in developing a risk control implementation and evaluation plan 4.6 Provide information about the implementation and evaluation plan to individuals and parties |
5. Support effective worker consultation and participation in the risk control process | 5.1 Advise workers of, and consult them about, developing risk control options, and selecting and implementing risk controls, according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes 5.2 Encourage workers to participate in these activities according to workplace WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes |
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 | Interprets and identifies information from WHS legislation, workplace policy and procedure and records |
Writing | 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4.5, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2 | Uses formats and language appropriate to audience and context in plans, reports and general advice |
Oral communication | 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 4.6 | Presents information or assistance using appropriate levels of industry specific vocabulary Uses listening and questioning to clarify and confirm understanding |
Navigate the world of work | 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 | Follows legal and regulatory responsibilities and organisational policies and procedures in relation to WHS role Keeps up to date on changes to WHS legislation or regulations and organisational policies and procedures |
Interact with others | 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2 | Understands what to communicate and to whom in a range of contexts Cooperates with others as part of WHS activities and contributes to specific activities requiring joint responsibility and accountability Shares information and resources, offers assistance voluntarily and provides feedback when requested Plays an active role in group discussions, paying attention to perspectives of others and encouraging participation |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 4.3 | Plans and implements tasks to achieve required outcomes Uses formal decision-making processes, setting or clarifying goals, gathering information and identifying and evaluating choices against a set of criteria in the WHS risk-management process |
Sectors
Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety