This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely and follow work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures in the resources and infrastructure industries.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take responsibility for the quality of own work outcomes.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

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.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

work safely and follow work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures on at least two occasions, including:

sourcing, interpreting, clarifying and applying site safety information

recognising and following health and safety instructions and information

clarifying and responding to information and directions

carrying out work instructions that comply with WHS policies and procedures

selecting, wearing and maintaining personal protective equipment for all activities that require personal protective equipment

applying safe lifting and manual handling techniques

identifying and reporting on WHS issues to relevant personnel

identifying relevant work permits and clearances

responding to alarms according to workplace procedures

completing workplace reporting procedures.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply required documentation, policies and procedures and confirm that the work activity is compliant

implement the requirements, procedures and techniques required to work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures

work with others to undertake work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures

communicate with others to receive and clarify work instructions and to determine coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key legislation required to work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures

key policies, procedures and documentation, including those related to:

complying with isolation procedures

site safety procedures

work health and safety procedures, including reporting requirements

equipment safety procedures

complying with safety data sheets

hazardous substance handling and techniques

fitness of duty policies, including:

smoking restrictions

alcohol impairment

improper use of drugs

illness

workplace management procedures, including:

consultation

safety representatives

committees

dispute resolution

emergency situations, including:

incident and injury

fire

evacuation

electrical shock

falls

explosions

fatigue

extreme weather

key emergency equipment

emergency escape routes

any situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property and environment

use of personal protective equipment, including:

breathing protection

skin protection

hearing protection

eye protection

protective clothing and ensembles

any other relevant protective equipment that will protect the wearer from injury

use of permits and clearance, including:

working at height

confined spaces

vertical openings

scaffold set up

dig and penetration

principles and techniques for manual and automated lifting

biological effects that affect work activities, including:

sleep

alertness

fatigue

stress

heat stress

hypothermia.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

personal protective equipment

equipment related to working safely and follow WHS policies and procedures

relevant documentation

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.