This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct work health and safety (WHS) risk management processes.
It applies to individuals who manage WHS risks, based on the organisation’s WHS management system (WHSMS), WHS information system (WHSIS) and risk-management approach (as covered in BSBWHS503 Contribute to the systematic management of WHS risk). These individuals will work in a range of WHS roles across all industries and apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills in a wide variety of WHS contexts.
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 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.
Topics:
- Access information and data on WHS hazards and risk management
- Prepare to manage WHS risks
- Develop and implement WHS risk-management processes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will:
- access information and data on hazards and how to manage associated risks
- identify duty holders and legislative requirements for work health and safety (WHS) risk management
- use the organisation’s WHS management system (WHSMS) and WHS information system (WHSIS) to conduct the following risk management processes:
- identify hazards and potential hazards
- assess the associated risks
- identify control options
- select suitable options
- develop and implement a risk control plan
- evaluate risk controls
- carry out hazard identification and risk management
Demonstrate knowledge of:
- the basic principles of workplace incident, injury and disease causation
- the meanings of ’hazard’ and ’risk’ and how they differ
- formal and informal communication and consultation processes and key personnel related to communication
- how the characteristics and composition of the workforce impact on WHS risk and the management of WHS, including:
- communication skills
- cultural background and diversity
- gender
- labour market changes
- language, literacy and numeracy levels of the workforce
- structure and organisation of the workforce, including part-time, casual and contract workers; shift rosters and geographical location
- workers with specific needs and limitations
- workplace culture in relation to alcohol and other drug use
- internal and external sources of WHS information and data and how to access them
- the limitations of generic hazard identification and risk assessment checklists and risk ranking processes
- methods for providing evidence of compliance with WHS legislation
- the nature of workplace processes (work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the workplace
- organisational culture as it impacts on the work team
- organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes and systems
- other functional areas that impact on the management of WHS
- the principles and practices of a systematic approach to managing WHS
- Commonwealth and state or territory WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practice, standards and guidance material and other publications relevant to the organisation
- risk management as a duty of persons conducting businesses or undertakings or officers under WHS legislation
- the roles and responsibilities of individuals and parties under WHS legislation
- standard industry controls for a range of hazards
- techniques, tools and processes for identifying health and safety hazards and assessing and controlling the associated risks, including:
- hazard and risk checklists
- hazard hunts
- job safety analyses
- manifests and registers, including for dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals and plant
- safe work method statements
- surveys using questionnaires, interviews and other survey techniques
- workplace inspections and walk-throughs
Nominal Hours: 50
