ICTWHS2170A - Follow work health and safety and environmental policies and procedures

ICTWHS2170A
Follow work health and safety and environmental policies and procedures

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to follow safe practices and environmental policy in telecommunications workplace tasks. It involves awareness of safe handling of active optical fibre, cabling, laser sources and equipment.It requires the ability to apply work health and safety (WHS) requirements, and the basic principles of risk management and prevention of injury and illness on construction sites involving the NBN in particular, and all other locations where telecommunications work is performed.The unit also includes the ability to recognise asbestos and take steps to minimise associated risks. Removal of asbestos is a licensed activity covered by the units of competency CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos and CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos.Some cabling and installation work may fall within the definition of construction work. People entering the construction site are required to complete the general induction training program specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction Training for Construction Work (Australian Safety Compensation Council, May 2007), sometimes referred to as the ‘White Card’.The unit CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry from the CPC08 Construction and Plumbing Services Training Package fulfils this requirement.Licensing requirements will apply to this unit of competency depending on the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction. Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.Note: The terms occupational health and safety (OHS) and WHS are equivalent and generally either can be used. Western Australian and Victorian legislation uses OHS. Commonwealth, NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia legislation uses WHS.

Application

The unit applies to field officers deploying broadband access networks using optical technologies. They combine technical skills with specific WHS skills to work safely on live systems.

The unit also applies to telecommunications staff working under supervision in a technical environment. This includes school-based workers, entry-level workers, trainees and apprentices.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Apply WHS regulatory requirements	Identify WHS requirements relevant to own work, role and responsibilities and comply with safe work practices Apply duty of care requirements
Follow workplace procedures for identifying hazards and using control measures to control risk	Identify and report common construction hazards in the work area to designatedpersonnel according to workplace procedures Identify and follow WHS requirements, workplace procedures and work instructions to control hazards and risks Comply with safe work practices and principles of risk management Implement duty of care requirements Complete job safety analysis (JSA) sheet or safe work method statement (SWMS) according to work requirements, including hazard identification and risk assessment Use and complete checks to personal protective equipment according to work requirements Assess and test for harmful gases associated with the workplace
Identify safety requirements for work with optical fibre equipment	Identify safe work practices when handling optical fibre, lasers and optical connectors according to relevant Australian standards Identify safe work practices when handling and disposing of chemical waste
Identify WHS communication and reporting processes	Identify WHS communication processes, information and documentation Identify the role of designated WHS personnel and safety signs and symbols Identify procedures and relevant authorities for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries
Identify WHS incident response procedures	Identify general proceduresfor responding to incidents and emergencies Identify procedures for accessing first aid Identify and demonstrate requirements for selecting and using relevant personal protective equipment Identify fire safety equipment
Contribute to WHS and environmental issues in the workplace	Discuss WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel according to workplace procedures, and relevant WHS policies and environmental requirements Contribute to participative arrangements for WHS and environmental management in the workplace within organisational procedures, scope of responsibilities and own competencies Record and report WHS issues, risks and hazards to designated personnel
Identify and respond to minor traffic management	Assess traffic safety requirements of the general location with respect to regulatory and organisational requirements Identify a safe work zone around vehicle and work space using traffic cones and signs according to regulatory requirements Identify and respond to changed traffic conditions
Identify and respond appropriately to a confined space	Identify a confined space in line with regulatory or organisational guidelines Refer the telecommunications work in the identified confined space to appropriate trained personnel
Identify and respond appropriately to asbestos hazards	Identify asbestos hazards or their likelihood Respond to asbestos hazards or their likelihood Report identified or suspected asbestos hazards to designated personnel according to workplace procedures

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

ask effective questions and clarify requirements

listen to, and liaise with, relevant personnel on technical and operational matters

raise and report WHS matters, discuss and relay WHS information to others

literacy skills to:

interpret technical documentation and standards

incorporate technical language into written tasks, such as reporting on recommendations to minimise hazards and injury

numeracy skills to interpret technical data, such as specifications of laser operations

problem-solving skills to minimise risks

research skills to access technical information and sources to understand and report on safety requirements

safety awareness skills to:

apply required precautions and action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards associated with work activities

recognise asbestos and the likelihood of asbestos in the work area

select and use required personal protective equipment that conforms to industry and WHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self and others, and damage to goods or equipment

select and use appropriate methods for laser handling.

Required knowledge

applicable federal, state and territory WHS procedures, regulations, standards, codes of practice and industry standards and guidance notes relevant to own workplace, role and responsibilities

common construction hazards and common hazards in relation to own work

asbestos hazards and their potential risk for workers and the community

general construction work activities that require licences, tickets or certificates of competency

environmental control processes:

air quality management

disposal and handling of hazardous and dangerous substances

noise pollution

safe disposal of fibre offcuts

stormwater and materials spillage

waste disposal

WHS responsibilities and rights of duty holders/workplace parties under environmental and WHS regulations and codes of practice, including:

persons in control of construction work or projects

employers and self-employed persons

persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and their officers

supervisors

employees

designers

inspectors

manufacturers and suppliers

optical fibres and equipment:

hazards relating to handling of optical fibre and laser light source in the workplace

injuries:

damage to retina from lasers

damage to lungs from inhalation of fibre offcuts and particles

needle stick injury from fibres and offcuts

laser warning signs and labels relating to optical fibre components and equipment

safety requirements when handling and working with:

devices

laser light sources

optical fibre connectors

optical fibres

patch cords

own responsibilities to comply with safe work practices including those relating to:

asbestos hazards

confined spaces

housekeeping

identification of hazards

preventing bullying or harassment

smoking

use of amenities

use of drugs and alcohol

principles of risk management for construction work, including:

hazard identification

risk assessment and control

ways in which WHS is managed in the workplace, and activities required under WHS legislation, including:

hazard identification

hazards that exist in the workplace

WHS instruction

preferred order of ways to control risks (hierarchy of control)

risk assessment and controls

role of WHS committees and representatives

training and provision of WHS information

types of common personal protective equipment and fire safety equipment

types of WHS information and documentation

workplace environmental and WHS procedures relevant to the work being undertaken, including procedures for:

designated personnel responsible for WHS

employee/worker participation in WHS management

general first aid response requirements

general workers’ compensation and injury management requirements

meaning of WHS symbols found on signs and labels in the workplace

raising WHS issues

recognising and reporting on:

accidents

dangerous occurrences

emergencies

hazards

incidents

injuries

near misses

responding to:

accidents

emergencies

evacuation procedures

fires

hazards

incidents

injuries

work operations to control risks

traffic control for a single vehicle

risks associated with confined spaces and appropriate responses.

Evidence Required

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.

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Evidence of the ability to: apply personal awareness of: WHS safety requirements for construction work, including duty of care the range of common construction hazards and procedures for the assessment of risk and application of the hierarchy of control WHS communication processes, information and documentation, including: the role of WHS committees and representatives the meaning of common safety signs and symbols procedures for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries general procedures for responding to incidents and emergencies, including evacuation, first aid, fire safety equipment and personal protective equipment recognise and report hazards to designated personnel follow workplace procedures necessary to control risks in the workplace identify and apply safe handling procedures for optical fibres and laser sources.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure access to: relevant WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice WHS implementation resources, such as sample forms, signs and procedures personal protective equipment first aid equipment fire safety equipment organisational WHS policies and procedures relevant work areas for identification of hazards and control measures optic fibre cabling and equipment.
Method of assessment	A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct observation of the candidate applying safety aspects to the handling of optical fibres and lasers direct observation of the candidate following or participating in common WHS workplace procedures oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of WHS concepts and applications evaluation of written reports on hazards and safety recommendations.
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. A mapping of the ICT10 unit ICTWHS2170A Follow occupational health and safety and environmental policies and procedures against CPCCOHS1001A (White Card) has demonstrated that the ICTWHS2170A meets all the requirements of CPCCOHS1001A . This allows both units to be delivered and assessed concurrently by registered training organisations that have both units on their scope of registration and are approved by the applicable state WorkCover authority to deliver CPCCOHS1001A when using the prescribed assessments and when meeting the minimum face-to-face course duration.

Range Statement

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.

WHS requirements include:	applicable and relevant national safety standards construction industry WHS standards and guidelines federal, state and territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice industry standards, guidance notes, guidelines, Australian standards and other documents applicable to own workplace, work, role and responsibilities National Code of Practice for Induction Training for Construction Work requirements for licences, tickets and certificates of competency responsibilities, duties and rights of duty holders and workplace parties (including health and safety representatives, committees and supervisors) under environmental and WHS Acts and regulations.
Safe work practices may relate to:	access to site amenities, including: drinking water toilets appropriate warning labels on cabinets and enclosures avoiding contact with hazardous chemicals, including not inhaling or swallowing such materials avoiding drugs and alcohol at work being aware of how to respond to potential accidents ensuring manufacturer’s warnings or instruction labels in relation to the laser product are not damaged or obscured during installation general requirements for: safe use of plant and equipment use of personal protective equipment and clothing housekeeping to ensure a clean, tidy and safe work area no hazardous chemicals, including fibre particles and solvents, left on site at the completion of the work preventing bullying and harassment relevant Australian standards relating to WHS specific organisational safety requirements smoking in designated areas only storing and removing debris using a wet cleaning process and making sure all solvent residues are disposed of according to environmental policy warning labels used in conjunction with laser and optical fibre systems.
Duty of care requirements relate to:	legal responsibilities, duties and rights of duty holders and workplace parties as specified in WHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice own duties to comply with safe work practices: activities that require licences tickets certificates of competency specific and general duties and responsibilities of particular individuals, workplace parties and others (as prescribed in applicable federal, state and territory WHS legislation and regulations), including: construction and other supervisors construction and other workers designers employers and self-employed persons PCBUs and officers WHS inspectors manufacturers, importers, suppliers, installers and commissioners persons in control of the work site subcontractors.
Common construction hazards may include:	confined spaces electricity excavations, including trenches falling objects hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods hot and cold working environments manual handling noise plant and equipment traffic and mobile plant unplanned collapse ultraviolet (UV) radiation working at heights.
Designated personnel may include:	managers PCBUs and officers WHS personnel worker health and safety representatives other persons authorised or nominated by the organisation or industry to: approve specified work direct specified work inspect specified work perform specified work supervisors team leaders.
Workplace procedures may include:	risk assessment worker consultation and participation hazard control emergency responses to: accidents fires other emergency incidents and events identifying hazards reporting WHS issues resolving WHS issues using personal protective equipment.
Measures for controlling hazards and risk may include:	administrative controls elimination engineering controls isolation personal protective equipment substitution.
Hazards may include:	activating equipment without notifying other staff who may be working remotely on the network hazardous chemicals, including: cleaning alcohol and other solvents epoxy resins and chemicals that cause cancer, allergies or that can damage health in any way environmental hazards: air pollution damage to natural or heritage precincts dangerous gases, heavy or noxious metals pollution, release of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) ground water contamination noise petrochemical spillage flammable cleaning chemicals fluids and solvents fibre offcut damage to eyes and skin health hazards, including: hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods handling of optic fibres and lasers infective agents, including viruses and bacteria risk of sustained injury from repetitive tasks inhalation of fibre offcuts and particles from vacuum cleaning of work site laser damage to eyes safety hazards: manual handling (lifting, biomechanical) tasks such as welding working at heights radio frequency (RF) radiation.
Principles of risk management include:	identifying hazards assessing the risks involved worker participating in, and consulting on, all risk management activities consulting and reporting to ensure involvement of relevant workers controlling risks reviewing to identify matters requiring change or improvement.
Job safety analysis sheet or safe work method statement may include:	health, safety and environmental hazards performing JSAs for each new workplace or work site situation sheets to record the steps in the risk management process: assessment control identification primary application of assessment as specified in workplace procedures, policies and processes.
Hazard identification includes:	checking equipment and work area: before work commences during work housekeeping reviewing accident or incident records workplace inspections as specified in workplace procedures, policies and processes.
Risk assessment includes:	a scale: low medium high awareness of likelihood and consequence factors JSA as specified in workplace procedures, policies and processes.
Personal protective equipment may include:	breathing apparatus: dust masks respirators clothing: boots and other safety footwear gloves high visibility retro reflective vests overalls protective jackets or pants for preparing, cutting or jointing optical fibres aprons arm guards eye protection: protective eyewear designed specifically for laser goggles face and head protection: face masks helmets and hard hats hearing protection protective, well-fitting clothing UV protective clothing and sunscreen radiation detectors.
Assessing and testing for harmful gases include:	using gas detection equipment reporting and responding to a positive test for gases in line with organisational guidelines following workplace procedures and complying with legislative and regulatory requirements.
Australian standards may include:	Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards TS 14 AS/NZS 3000:2007 AS/NZS 3080:2003 AS/NZS 3084:2003 AS/NZS 3085.1:2004 AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006 AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007 cabling security codes and regulations Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume1 Environmental Protection Acts International Standards ISO 9000 and 9001 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendations WHS Acts and relevant codes and standards road and traffic control legislation and codes technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006 Telecommunications Act and relevant codes.
WHS communication processes may include:	discussions with worker health and safety representatives processes for raising WHS issues toolbox talks WHS meetings WHS notices, newsletters, bulletins and correspondence WHS participative arrangements workplace consultation relating to WHS issues and changes.
WHS information and documentation may include:	accident and incident reports Australian standards construction documentation and plans emergency information contact evacuation plans guidance notes job safety analyses labels material safety data sheets (MSDS) proformas for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries reports of near misses and dangerous occurrences risk assessments safe work method statements safety meeting minutes site safety inspection reports WHS and other codes of practice WHS regulations.
Designated WHS personnel may include:	first aid officers WHS committee members WHS representatives supervisors.
Safety signs and symbols may include:	emergency information signs: equipment exits first aid fire signs and location of fire alarms and fire fighting equipment hazard, danger and warning signs regulatory signs: mandatory limitation or restriction prohibition safety tags and lockout: danger tags out of service tags.
Relevant authorities may include:	emergency services: ambulance emergency rescue fire brigade police supervisor WHS regulatory authority.
Incidents may include:	accidents resulting in personal injury or damage to property near misses or dangerous occurrences which do not cause injury but may pose an immediate and significant risk to persons or property, and need to be reported so that action can be taken to prevent recurrence, for example: breathing apparatus malfunctioning to the extent that the user’s health is in danger collapse of the floor, wall or ceiling of a building being used as a workplace collapse or failure of an excavation more than 1.5 metres deep, including any shoring collapse or partial collapse of a building or structure collapse, overturning or failure of the load bearing of any scaffolding, lift, crane, hoist or mine-winding equipment damage to or malfunction of any other major plant electric shock electrical short circuit, malfunction or explosion fire or escape of gas, hazardous substance or steam any other unintended or uncontrolled incident or event arising from operations carried on at a workplace.
General procedures for responding to incidents and emergencies may include:	basic emergency response: keep calm raise alarm obtain help evacuation notification of designated WHS personnel and authorities referring to site emergency plans and documentation when and how to notify emergency services.
Emergencies may include:	chemical spill fire injury to personnel structural collapse toxic and flammable vapours emission vehicle and mobile plant accident.
Fire safety equipment may include:	breathing apparatus fire blankets fire fighting equipment.
Environmental requirements must include:	clean-up management dust management noise management waste management.
Participative arrangements may include:	arrangements for documenting, communicating and following up requests and suggestions relating to WHS issues arrangements or processes for raising and communicating WHS concerns electing worker health and safety representatives informal WHS meetings planning committees purchasing committees WHS committees WHS reports and other processes for advising workers on WHS issues and matters.
Traffic safety applies to safety of:	pedestrians passing an area where work is being conducted vehicles passing an area where work is being conducted workers working adjacent to traffic.
Confined spaces applies to:	spaces clearly labelled as confined spaces spaces which meet the general specifications for a confined space.
Asbestos hazards may be found in:	corrugated asbestos roofing eaves of houses meter boxes pit and pipe infrastructure wall cladding
Respond to asbestos hazards may include:	notifying designated personnel and authorities closing the worksite to further activity barricading the work area avoiding any disturbance of the work area exercising a duty of care to self, fellow workers and the public

Sectors

Work health and safety - Telecommunications

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.