SKILL  KNOWLEDGE  SAFETY

MSAPMOHS503A - Maintain the workplace OHS management system

Description

 This competency covers the ongoing maintenance of the OHS management system (OHSMS) within the area of managerial responsibility, in order to ensure that the workplace is, so far as is practicable, consistently safe and without risks to the health and safety of employees. It assumes that the OHSMS has been developed by persons with the relevant specialist knowledge and skills

Pre Requisites

 Nil

Application

 This competency applies to personnel with a specialised responsibility for maintaining the workplace OHSMS. This will typically be a manager, team leader or a technician with particular OHS responsibilities. The work will be carried out with the support of other team members

Performance Criteria

 1. Manage OHS information in the workplace    
1.1 Take action to ensure that requirements for OHS record keeping and reporting are implemented according to workplace procedures and legislative requirements.
1.2 Access sources of OHS information and evaluate for application to the workplace.
1.3 Collect and collate data and information to provide information to managers and stakeholders on OHS requirements, trends and risk controls.

2. Support implementation of OHSMS
2.1 Determine OHS priorities in consultation with appropriate managers and stakeholders.
2.2 Identify OHS training needs for implementation and maintenance of the OHSMS.
2.3 Develop action plans taking account of priorities and training needs.
2.4 Monitor achievement of action plans and update plans accordingly.

3. Support OHS participative arrangements    
3.1 Ensure OHS information and documentation is understandable and accessible to all.
3.2 Promptly address OHS issues that may arise within area of authority or refer to appropriate person.
3.3 Provide information about the outcomes of OHS consultation in a manner that is accessible to all.

4. Collect data to evaluate currency of OHSMS.    
4.1 Identify, in consultation with stakeholders and, as required expert advisors, internal data and information that provides relevant and reliable information on the performance of the OHSMS.
4.2 Conduct workplace inspections on a regular basis.
4.3 Identify workplace OHS implications of any changes to legislation.
4.4 Identify any OHS implications to proposed changes to the workplace.
4.5 Take action to arrange an OHSMS audit.

5. Analyse data and information to identify areas for improvement     
5.1 Assess compliance of OHSMS with OHS legislation.
5.2 Analyse information collected to identify areas for improvement.
5.3 Consult with stakeholders, key personnel and, as required, OHS advisors.
5.4 Document and communicate outcomes of analysis to key personnel and stakeholders in an easily understood format.
5.5 Recognise limits of own expertise and seek appropriate advice.

6. Initiate and maintain improvements.    
6.1 Determine priorities for OHS in consultation with stakeholder.
6.2 In consultation with stakeholders, develop an OHS plan with responsibilities and time frames.
6.3 Identify and source resources required for implementation of plan.
6.4 Monitor achievement against plan.
6.5 In consultation with stakeholders, monitor effectiveness of modifications to OHSMS on an ongoing basis.

Required Skills & Knowledge

 This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.
Knowledge and understanding of the workplace OHSMS and State OHS legislative requirements, codes of practice and relevant industry standards sufficient to maintain, evaluate and improve the workplace OHS management system within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies.
Management must be aware that, while employees have OHS responsibilities, line managers are ultimately responsible, under both OHS legislation and common law duty of care, for the safety of the workplace, including ensuring that employees comply with documented work procedures. This legislation includes general OHS legislation as well as that for hazardous substances, dangerous goods and major hazard sites.

Competence in this unit includes the ability to apply a working knowledge of the workplace, relevant OHS legislation and OHSMS to:
  •     maintain an OHSMS already defined and established
  •     identify types of data and information that will provide information on the effectiveness of the OHSMS in minimising risk
  •     analyse the data to identify areas for improvement in elements of the OHSMS, including communication and consultation, reporting and hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control,
  •     develop strategies for improvement in the OHSMS
  •     apply the hierarchy of control to recommend actions to minimise risk
  •     OHS record keeping and reporting as required under:
  •     hazardous substances and dangerous goods legislation
  •     OHS legislative requirements to report serious incidents and injuries and keep records of risk assessments
  •     creation and management of other record such as:
  •     hazard and incident reports, investigation reports
  •     completed workplace inspection checklists and reports
  •     external or internal reports
  •     minutes of meetings.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to communicate in all modes and at all levels conveying what is often technical content/ideas.
Writing is required to the level of writing the required reports and documents.
Numeracy is required to interpret and manipulate the necessary data.

Range Statement

Context
This unit describes OHS requirements applicable for those with managerial responsibilities for maintaining and improving an established OHSMS within the organisation. This may be as a worker or as an owner of a business. This competency assumes that the OHSMS has been established by others, either internal or external and that expert advice is available either internally or externally.
The competency is to be exhibited within the area of managerial responsibility, which may be an entire organisation or department of an organisation. Roles and responsibilities will vary from organisation to organisation.
While relevant positions for maintaining and improving the OHSMS will include managers, OHS officers/managers it should be quite clear that the legal responsibility for OHS rests with the line managers.

Analysis

Analysis of data may include statistical analysis, qualitative analysis or informal review.

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.

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, in restricted or confined spaces, or environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours
  •     fire and explosion.

OHS Information Sources
Sources of OHS information may be external and include:
  •     OHS legislation, codes of practice and Australian and International standards
  •     OHS regulators and Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)
  •     industry bodies
  •     Internet sites, journals and newsletters
  •     OHS policies and procedures
  •     manufacturer manuals
  •     risk assessments, JSAs, workplace inspections
  •     MSDSs and registers
  •     hazard and incident reports.

Evidence Guide

 Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Assessment will occur on an industrial site and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

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:
  •     interact with the workforce to maintain the process that comprise the OHSMS
  •     access and analyse information to identify areas for improvement
  •     develop appropriate improvement strategies
  •     apply a quality improvement process to implement and monitor change

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see thatthe required level includes a working knowledge of the workplace OHSMS. Look to see knowledge and understanding of:
  •     OHS responsibilities of all levels in the workplace
  •     the consultation processes, either general or specific to OHS
  •     hazard identification and risk assessment
  •     implementation of risk control measures by applying the hierarchy of control
  •     new and relevant OHS information
  •     OHS record keeping
  •     OHS issue resolution legislative requirements for consultation prior to the implementation of change
  •     sources and types if information that provide realistic information on the performance of the OHSMS
  •     techniques for analysing OHS data, including simple statistical analysis and graphing of trends
  •     types of internal and external change that may impact on OHS.

These aspects may be best assessed in a realistic workplace. Where this is difficult to access then steps should be taken to arrange access to realistic data and a visit to a workplace. Scenarios and case studies may provide a suitable adjunct. These assessment activities should include a range of problems that may be encountered when maintaining reviewing and implementing improvement to the OHSMS.

Assessment method and context
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
  •     on an appropriate, industrial plant/site
  •     in a situation allowing the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
  •     by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
  •     through a combination of these techniques.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. 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
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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