Description

Pre-Requisites

Application of Unit

Performance Criteria

1. Identify hazards and assess risk.
1.1 Identify hazards in the work area before and during work.
1.2 Assess risks for the identified hazards.
1.3 Identify controls for these hazards from procedures.
1.4 Review effectiveness of controls within the scope of authority.
1.5 Identify and report remaining risk.

2. Follow procedures for risk control.
2.1 Control risks when working under minimal supervision by following workplace procedures.
2.2 Select, use and maintain relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).
2.3 Handle and store hazardous materials safely.

3. Follow emergency procedures
3.1 Recognise emergency situations.
3.2 Take appropriate initial emergency action.
3.3 Follow procedures for dealing with a range of emergencies.

4. Initiate suggestions to enhance task/job-specific safety.
4.1 Raise OHS issues with designated personnel in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant requirements of OHS legislation.
4.2 Contribute to participative arrangements for OHS management in the workplace within organisation procedures and the scope of responsibilities and competencies.
4.3 Provide input to minimise hazards in work area in line with organisation OHS procedures.
4.4 Provide input to opportunities for development of work group's competencies in relation to OHS.
4.5 Support the implementation of procedures to control risks using the hierarchy of control and in accordance with organisation procedures.
4.6 Report to appropriate people in accordance with workplace procedures when non-routine hazards arise.

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.

Context
This unit of competency describes OHS requirements applicable for all workers whose work involves the use of workplace policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for themselves and others.

It is expected that workers will be provided with clear directions, information, instruction, training and appropriate supervision regarding the relevant State/Territory OHS legislation, codes of practice, relevant industry standards, workplace procedures and work instructions.

Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Identify hazards
Hazard identification is the identification of known hazards in the workplace such as might be included in procedures, training and other workplace methods of identifying hazards.

Assess risks
Risk assessment is used in compliance with the relevant OHS acts and regulations. Assessment is to the extent required by the acts and regulations and is as relevant to the job.

Identify hazard controls
Identification of hazard controls is identifying the controls specified in the procedures or similar. Reviewing their effectiveness includes checking that they are in place and operational in accordance with standard procedure.

Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

• PPE
• handling aids
• other safety equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Typical PPE includes:

• hard hats
• goggles/glasses/face shields
• hearing protection (ear muffs, plugs)
• dusk masks/canister masks/ SCBA/ long range breathers
• gloves/gauntlets
• safety boots
• antistatic equipment
• overalls/aprons/acid jackets/pants.

Selecting and using PPE includes:

• outlining the functions for each type of PPE used in the work environment
• identifying the situations in which specific types of PPE would be used
• using PPE correctly as required in a working environment.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

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

Personnel

Appropriate personnel for OHS referrals may include:

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

OHS Issues

OHS issues which may need to be raised by workers with designated personnel may include:

• recognition of hazards/methods of identifying hazards
• problems encountered in controlling risks associated with hazards (any of the controls as per the hierarchy of control which are relevant)
• observation of an injury and/or incident which occurred in the workplace
• clarification of understanding of OHS policies and procedures.

Recognise emergency situation

Evidence Guide

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
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
Consistent safe working is the critical aspect for which evidence should be sought.

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

• recognise potential situations requiring action
• implement appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that relevant workplace procedures are understood, in particular:

• hazard policies and procedures
• emergency, fire and accident procedures
• procedures for the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
• hazard identification and risk assessment procedures.

The following should also be known and understood:

• the hazards and potential risks in the workplace
• the consultation processes, either general or specific to OHS
• OHS information (what is there and how to access it)
• specific hazard policies procedures.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies and 'what ifs' as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should cover a range of problems, including new, unusual and extreme situations, which may have been generated from the past incident history of the workplace, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

Assessment method and context

Assessment for this unit of competency will be on a processing plant 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 workplace 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 of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the workplace (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the job.

It is expected that this competency may be applicable in combination with other industry, occupation or workplace-specific competencies. In all cases it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to a manufacturing environment or process plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability 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 probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Required skills

This unit requires the ability to read and apply hazard information in the workplace and make suggestions to enhance safety.

Writing is required to the level of completing required safety/incident reports.

Numeracy is required to complete incident reports and interpret hazard information.

Required knowledge

Knowledge and understanding is required of the workplace OHS system and relevant industry standards, sufficient to participate in OHS activities and within the scope of work responsibilities and competencies.

Competence includes the ability to apply and describe:

• the identification of hazards and hazardous areas
• methods for assessing risk
• the identification of standard controls for the hazards
• a simple evaluation of the effectiveness of the controls
• an awareness of the need for further action
• the rights and responsibilities of employees under the OHS legislation
• management systems and procedures for OHS
• the hierarchy of control
• hazard policies, procedures and information
• safety procedures
• emergency, fire and accident procedures
• emergency procedures for handling hazardous materials
• consequences of inappropriate handling of hazardous materials.

Competence also requires the ability to:

• locate, understand and follow workplace OHS procedures
• identify and interpret signs and symbols, including emergency alarms
• recognise hazards common to the industry and in their own workplace
• locate sources of OHS information within the workplace
• select and use personal protective clothing and equipment
• correctly use equipment for handling of chemicals/materials
• interpret and apply relevant Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).