Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with actions and activities performed in response to work health and safety (WHS) incidents which includes accidents.
It applies to individuals who work under supervision and use some discretion and judgement to respond to incidents within their level of responsibility.
The unit applies to people who work in a broad range of WHS roles across all industries.
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 National 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, regulatory 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 Assist with identifying legislative and other requirements | 1.1 Apply knowledge of work health and safety (WHS) legislation to identify duty holders and legislative requirements regarding responding to incidents 1.2 Apply knowledge of workplace policies, procedures and processes to identify workplace requirements regarding responding to incidents 1.3 Communicate requirements to individuals and parties appropriate to own job role and work area |
2 Assist with implementing initial incident response procedures | 2.1 Assist with providing first aid according to workplace procedures and processes, where necessary 2.2 Assist with notifying, reporting and documenting incidents according to workplace procedures and processes 2.3 Assist with meeting legislative requirements regarding incidents, where necessary |
3 Assist with collecting WHS information and data relevant to an investigation | 3.1 Assist with obtaining information and data from those involved using appropriate data collection techniques, about actions and events leading up to, occurring during or after, an incident 3.2 Assist with identifying and accessing sources of additional information and data related to an incident |
4 Assist incident investigations | 4.1 Assist investigators and provide relevant information during investigations 4.2 Use appropriate techniques when participating in workplace investigations 4.3 Review reports on incidents, injuries and illnesses 4.4 Contact responsible persons and relevant authorities when required |
5 Assist in implementing recommended measures and actions arising from investigations | 5.1 Communicate recommendations arising from investigations to relevant others 5.2 Assist with measures and actions appropriate to own job role and work area |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to, as appropriate to job role and work area, assist with:
identifying Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislative and organisational requirements and duty holders in relation to responding to WHS incidents
communicating relevant WHS requirements clearly and accurately to individuals and parties
providing first aid according to workplace procedures and processes
reporting, notifying and documenting incidents, and meeting legislative requirements
obtaining information about incidents using appropriate data collection techniques
investigating incidents and communicating and implementing recommendations from investigations.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
explain hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different risk controls including possible inadequacies of particular risk controls
identify internal and external sources of WHS information and data, and how to access
outline the organisation’s WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems relevant to own job role or work area that relate to WHS incidents and accidents including initial response and first aid, investigations and reporting
explain own role and role of duty holders in responding to incidents.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced by individuals carrying out work health and safety duties in the workplace and include access to:
organisational policies, standard operating procedures, procedures and plans
relevant Acts, regulations, codes of practice, licensing requirements, standards
relevant WHS data
office equipment and resources
interaction with others.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
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, 3.2, 4.2 | Interprets and analyses complex WHS legislative texts Analyses reports and other materials to determine required course of action |
Writing | 1.3, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1,4.2 4.3, 5.1 | Completes workplace records, forms and documentation using correct format, accurate spelling and grammar and industry specific terminology Records key information for reference using register and language appropriate to audience |
Oral Communication | 1.3, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 | Presents information or advice using structure and language suitable for audience Uses questioning and listening techniques to obtain feedback from others and confirm understanding |
Navigate the world of work | 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3 | Takes responsibility for adherence to legal and regulatory responsibilities and organisational policies and procedures Keeps up to date on changes to WHS legislation and regulations and organisational policies and procedures |
Interact with others | 1.3, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1 | Understands what to communicate, with whom and how in the context of incident investigations Collaborates with others to achieve individual and team outcomes Cooperates with others as part of incident investigations and contributes to specific activities requiring joint responsibility and accountability |
Get the work done | 2.1-2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1-4.4, 5.2 | Applies formal processes to plan, sequence and prioritise tasks required for incident investigations showing awareness of time and resource constraints and needs of others Uses the main features and functions of digital tools to complete work tasks and access information |
Sectors
Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety