This unit of competency has wide application in a range of work roles in the security industry. Work is performed under limited supervision and competency requires judgement and decision-making. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Maintain OHS awareness within the workplace.

1.1 Organisational OHS policies and procedures are explained to team members and complied with in accordance with legislative requirements.

1.2 Consultative arrangements are monitored to encourage team members to contribute to the management of OHS in the workplace.

1.3 Communication skills and interpersonal techniques are used to explain the importance of OHS awareness.

1.4 Recommendations are provided to relevant persons to improve the effectiveness of OHS policies and procedures.

2Monitor security risk control procedures.

2.1 Inadequacies in procedures for controlling security risks are identified and promptly reported to relevant persons.

2.2 Inadequacies in resource allocation for implementing risk control measures are identified and reported to relevant persons.

2.3 Security hazards are investigated to identify their cause in accordance with risk control procedures.

2.4 Risk control procedures are applied and records maintained in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational procedures.

3Support OHS training.

3.1 OHS learning requirements of self and team members are identified and advice on training needs provided to relevant persons.

3.2 Opportunities for participation of self and team members in OHS training are supported and organised in accordance with identified learning needs and organisational procedures.

3.3 Coaching and mentoring assistance is provided to team members to support OHS participative arrangements and skill development.

This section describes the skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

accurately receive and follow instructions and procedures

accurately record and report details of hazards, risks and incidents

application of the hierarchy of controls

calculate resources required to monitor OHS in the workplace

communication skills to convey and discuss OHS concerns and information

communication to engage with minority groups (eg young people, old people, people with an addiction or disability, Indigenous Australians, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds)

data analysis to monitor incidents (accidents) and the work environment, and to evaluate the effectiveness of risk control measures and OHS procedures

mentoring to support OHS training in the workplace

numeracy skills to estimate time to complete tasks and resource requirements

problem solving

read, analyse and interpret OHS information including common OHS signs and symbols

risk assessment and hazard identification.

Required knowledge

common types and purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

communication channels and procedures for maintaining safety

designated workplace OHS personnel

duty of care requirements of self and others

effects of stress on self and team members

general rights and responsibilities of employers and employees with regard to OHS and consultative arrangements

guidelines relating to use of force

licensing requirements in the security industry

OHS hierarchy of control and procedures for its application

own responsibilities to comply with safe working practices

principles and application of risk management and controls

procedures for emergency, evacuation and first aid response

range and meanings of common OHS signs and symbols

range of potential security workplace hazards, risks and emergency situations

signs and indicators of work-related stress.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

complying with applicable OHS policies and procedures and legislation, and using consultative arrangements to ensure team members support the implementation of OHS in the workplace

monitoring procedures for controlling security hazards and risks using the hierarchy of controls, and identifying gaps or additional resource requirements

supporting OHS training within the work team through the identification of OHS training needs and learning opportunities, and providing OHS mentoring to individuals and the team

accessing, interpreting and communicating up-to-date security information to the work team to inform and improve OHS practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency should be assessed using questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS policies and proceduresmay relate to:

application of first aid

emergency and evacuation response

equipment maintenance and use

hazard and risk identification and reporting

OHS consultation and participative arrangements

reporting accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses

restraint and apprehension of persons

risk assessment and control measures

safe operating procedures and instructions for use of equipment and technology

security licensing requirements

stress management

suspected terrorist activity

use and maintenance of PPE

use of firearms, handcuffs, batons and spray

use of force

use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances or dangerous items.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

anti-discrimination and diversity

Australian standards, codes of practice and regulations

award and enterprise agreements

duty of care

evidence collection

licensing arrangements and certification requirements

OHS issue resolution

relevant commonwealth, state and territory OHS legislation, codes of practice and regulations

roles and responsibilities of OHS representatives and committees

trade practices

use of force.

Consultative arrangements may include:

discussions with OHS representatives

formal and informal meetings to discuss OHS issues and information

industry information and newsletters covering OHS issues

OHS committees

suggestions, requests and concerns put forward by employees to management.

Communication skillsmay include:

active listening

comprehension

note-taking

positive body language

questioning

reading accurately

speaking clearly

summarising

writing.

Interpersonal techniquesmay include:

active listening

being respectful and non-discriminatory to others

control of tone of voice and body language

demonstrating flexibility and willingness to negotiate

engaging with minority groups

interpreting non-verbal and verbal messages

maintaining professionalism

providing and receiving constructive feedback

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

two-way communication

use of communication appropriate to cultural differences

use of positive, confident and cooperative language.

Relevant persons may include:

first aid personnel

management

OHS committees

OHS representatives

supervisor.

Riskrelates to:

the likelihood of a hazard causing injury or harm.

Security risksmay include:

biological hazards

chemical spills

electrical faults

explosives

injury to personnel

noise, light, heat, smoke

persons carrying weapons

persons causing a public nuisance

persons demonstrating suspicious behaviour

persons suffering from emotional or physical distress

persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

persons with criminal intent

persons, vehicles and equipment in unsuitable locations

suspicious packages or substances

terrorism

violence or physical threats.

Procedures for controlling security risksmay relate to:

application of the hierarchy of controls

complying with safe operating procedures for equipment

correct selection, use, storage and maintenance of PPE

directing or requesting back-up support

evacuation

maintaining vigilance, awareness and observation in the work environment

negotiation and conflict resolution

OHS communication and reporting

safe lifting and manual handling

security of documents, cash, equipment and persons

use of fire safety equipment

use of reasonable force.

Hazard relates to:

any thing (including an intrinsic property of a thing) or situation with the potential to cause injury or harm.

Hazards may be identified through:

consultation

continuous monitoring of work environment

debrief and review of security incidents

regular informal and informal discussions with team members

regular inspections of equipment and work environment

review of workplace health and safety records.

OHS recordsmay relate to:

first aid and medical post records

identified hazards and risks

industry warnings and security alerts

maintenance and testing reports

manufacturer and supplier information for security equipment

OHS instruction and training

OHS issues which have been raised and reported

procedures for handling prohibited or dangerous items

reports of accidents and injuries

surveillance and monitoring of work environment

workers compensation and rehabilitation records.

Training needsmay relate to:

additional work experience or exchange opportunities

attendance at OHS seminars or conferences

emergency and evacuation training

OHS induction

participating in formal or informal learning programs

undertaking personal study

workplace coaching, mentoring or supervision.

Learning opportunitiesmay include:

career planning or development

conducting a workplace skills assessment

participation in formal or informal learning programs

undertaking a performance appraisal

undertaking personal study

work experience or exchange opportunities

workplace coaching, mentoring or supervision

workplace projects.

OHS participative arrangementsmay relate to:

accessing and exchanging up-to-date information and industry trends relating to OHS to maintain awareness and vigilance

discussions with OHS representatives

formal and informal meetings to discuss OHS concerns or issues

participation in debriefing and review processes.

Unit sector

Security

Operations

This unit contains employability skills.