Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the identification, review, development, implementation and evaluation of consultation and participation processes as an integral part of managing work health and safety (WHS).
The unit applies to those responsible for facilitating consultation about and participation in WHS management and decision-making across the organisation. These people work in a range of WHS roles across all industries, and apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills in a wide variety of WHS contexts.
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 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. Identify requirements for WHS consultation and participation | 1.1 Review WHS laws to identify duty holders and legal requirements for WHS consultation and participation processes 1.2 Review organisational policies, procedures, processes and systems to identify requirements and opportunities for WHS consultation and participation 1.3 Consult with required personnel according to organisational procedures to identify specific requirements for WHS consultation and participation |
2. Review existing WHS consultation and participation processes | 2.1 Review effectiveness of existing WHS consultation and participation processes, in consultation with required personnel 2.2 Identify inconsistencies between existing processes and identified requirements for WHS consultation and participation processes 2.3 Consult with required personnel to identify specific areas for improvement in WHS consultation and participation processes |
3. Develop WHS consultation and participation processes | 3.1 Identify factors that may impact on design of WHS consultation and participation processes 3.2 Design new or modify existing processes to achieve required improvements, in consultation with required personnel 3.3 Ensure improvements integrate with existing WHS and other systems and are appropriate to organisation 3.4 Plan how improvements will be implemented and identify resourcing requirements, roles and responsibilities, and training needs required for implementation 3.5 Develop action plans with allocated responsibilities and timelines 3.6 Determine priorities for implementation, in consultation with required personnel |
4. Facilitate implementation of WHS consultation and participation arrangements | 4.1 Clarify individual roles and responsibilities in WHS consultation and participation arrangements 4.2 Provide advice and support to required personnel during implementation according to organisational procedures 4.3 Monitor and facilitate implementation, in consultation with required personnel 4.4 Recommend and facilitate changes to action plan as required according to organisational procedures |
5. Monitor and evaluate WHS consultation and participation processes | 5.1 Develop evaluation protocol, in consultation with required personnel 5.2 Develop and implement plan for collecting information 5.3 Analyse and evaluate information according to organisational policies and procedures 5.4 Make recommendations for improvement based on evaluation 5.5 Document action plan to address recommended improvements according to organisational policies and procedures 5.6 Communicate outcomes of monitoring and evaluation to required personnel according to organisational policies and procedures |
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 | Organises, analyses and critiques ideas and information from a range of legal and organisational texts to identify WHS duty holders, and consultation and participation requirements |
Writing | Employs broad vocabulary and uses grammatical structure and conventions appropriate to text in writing reports, plans and protocols Uses appropriate vocabulary and language to seek information from others |
Oral communication | Presents ideas and information choosing appropriate vocabulary for purpose and audience Uses questioning and active listening to seek opinions or information and to clarify understanding |
Numeracy | Uses required numeracy and problem-solving strategies and techniques in designing and using information collection and analysis processes |
Navigate the world of work | Adheres to legal and regulatory rights and responsibilities and monitors others’ adherence in relation to WHS consultation and participation processes Interprets operational policies and procedures to ensure that consultation and participation processes align with other work practices |
Interact with others | Plays a lead role in situations requiring effective collaboration Provides feedback to others in forms they can understand and use |
Get the work done | Manages tasks with an awareness of how they contribute to operational and strategic goals Uses systematic and analytical processes: sets goals, gathers relevant information, and identifies and evaluates options against agreed criteria Considers whether, and how, others should be involved, using consultative or collaborative processes as an integral part of the decision-making process Uses analytical processes to decide on a course of action, establishes criteria for deciding between options, and seeks input and advice from others before taking necessary action Uses digital systems and tools for data collection and analysis and communication and reporting |
Sectors
Regulation, Licensing and Risk – Work Health and Safety