Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to work health and safety (WHS) communication and consultation in the workplace. It involves communicating WHS information to required personnel, and taking appropriate follow-up action to assist in ensuring that communication and consultation processes are effective and conducive to others in the workplace who raise WHS issues.
The unit applies to those who contribute to WHS communication and consultation as part of their work health and safety responsibilities, which are in addition to their main duties.
NOTES
1. 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 model WHS laws have not been implemented, registered training organisations (RTOs) are advised to contextualise this unit of competency by referring to existing WHS legislative requirements.
2. The model WHS laws include the model WHS Act, model WHS Regulations and model WHS Codes of Practice. See Safe Work Australia for further information.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Participate in establishing consultation processes | 1.1 Contribute to selecting WHS consultation and communication methods aligned to organisational policies and procedures, and compliant with WHS legislative requirements 1.2 Identify and record key stakeholders according to WHS laws and related documentation 1.3 Research and collate information on organisational WHS obligations relating to communication and consultation with required personnel 1.4 Assist with any required revisions to consultation and communication methods according to organisational policies and procedures 1.5 Participate in consultation with required personnel to agree any proposed consultation and communication methods |
2. Contribute to WHS consultation | 2.1 Contribute to facilitating WHS consultation and participation processes according to WHS laws 2.2 Identify and report barriers to effective WHS consultation and participation processes to required personnel according to organisational policies and procedures 2.3 Make suggestions that could assist in removing identified barriers to effective WHS consultation and participation processes, according to organisational policies and procedures 2.4 Identify, record and communicate to others, the duties, rights and responsibilities of required personnel in the consultation process |
3. Consult and communicate effectively with required personnel | 3.1 Identify appropriate forms of communication for required individuals and/or parties 3.2 Convey WHS information to required personnel in plain language and according to organisational policies and procedures 3.3 Participate in confirming that required personnel understand WHS information, instructions and signs |
4. Raise WHS issues with required personnel | 4.1 Raise relevant WHS issues in meetings and support others to do so 4.2 Record and communicate WHS discussions and their outcomes according to organisational policies and procedures 4.3 Follow up meeting outcomes according to own job role, and organisational policies and procedures 4.4 Communicate WHS-related outcomes of meetings to required individuals and/or parties |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interprets a range of textual information to determine regulatory and procedural requirements, and associated necessary actions |
Writing | Records key information in a sequential manner using required format, correct grammar and industry-specific vocabulary |
Oral Communication | Presents information using language and non-verbal communication appropriate to audience and context Uses questioning and listening techniques to obtain feedback from others and to resolve issues |
Navigate the world of work | Follows policies, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to own role |
Interact with others | Selects and uses appropriate conventions and protocols when communicating with others in a range of work contexts Uses appropriate interpersonal skills to promote contributions and encourage ideas from others |
Get the work done | Sequences and schedules activities, and assists with their implementation and communication Identifies barriers to consultation and applies problem-solving processes to assist with determining possible solutions Uses main features and functions of digital tools to access information and communicate effectively |
Sectors
Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety