Description

On completion of this unit, the worker will be able to recognise hazards commonly occurring at the workplace and follow health and safety instructions and procedures in the workplace.

Pre Requisites

Application

This competency applies to workers who are required to follow OHS instructions and procedures relating to the work being undertaken. Workers will be aware of the importance of maintaining their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. Individual workers will also be capable of dealing with incidents and emergencies within their own scope of responsibility and under the direction of the supervisor.

While the instructions and procedures must be derived from the relevant organisation OHS policies, the worker is not required to understand or interpret these policies. This interpretation should be undertaken by the supervisor when informing workers of the OHS requirements.

Performance Criteria

Required Skills & Knowledge

•     recognising hazards in the workplace
•     recognising safety signs and symbols
•     recognising hazards commonly found in the workplace and standard controls
•     reporting hazards identified to the designated person/according to procedure.

•     describe the rights and responsibilities of employees under the OHS legislation
•     use and maintain appropriate PPE where required
•     communicate OHS issues
•     locate and follow OHS procedures under direct supervision.

Range Statement

•     housekeeping checks, such as obstructions on the floor which may create slip/trip hazard
•     guards in place
•     equipment in safe condition
•     work area clear and organised
•     nothing unusual/different
•     emergency equipment available
•     PPE is functional.

•     handling chemicals and hazardous materials
•     chemical and or hazardous materials spillage
•     gases and liquids under pressure
•     moving machinery
•     materials handling
•     working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours
•     fire and explosion.

•     recognition of hazards
•     problems encountered in controlling risks associated with hazards
•     observation of an injury and/or incident which occurred in the workplace
•     clarification of understanding of OHS policies and procedures.

•     employer
•     supervisor
•     employees elected as OHS representatives
•     other personnel with OHS responsibilities.

Evidence Guide

Overview of assessment
The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

•     describe the workplace OHS system and know the importance of critical procedures
•     recognise potential situations requiring action
•     implement appropriate corrective action.

Emphasis should be on the ability to avoid a critical incident rather than on recovery from a disaster.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated.

For example, look to see that:

•     hazards and application of appropriate risk controls are known
•     other hazards in the workplace that may arise are known and reporting/taking actions are according to procedure.

Assessment method and context
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on a manufacturing site or in a manufacturing environment.
Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual work environment and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
This unit requires a body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the work environment (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the job.
Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require access to a manufacturing plant or working environment over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of knowledge and understanding over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios, case studies, and 'what ifs' will be required, as will a bank of questions which will be used to check the reasoning behind the 'observable actions.'