Work Health and Safety

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead the management of work health and safety (WHS) risks in an organisation. The unit includes facilitating the identification of hazards and potential hazards, leading the assessment of associated risks, selecting and implementing suitable risk controls, and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the organisational WHS risk management process. It involves communicating with stakeholders throughout the process. The unit applies to those in an organisation who provide specialised knowledge and guidance to a range of personnel when leading the management of WHS risks.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead the initial response to work health and safety (WHS) incidents. The unit also includes planning, conducting and reporting on investigations of WHS incidents that have resulted in, or have the potential to result in, injury or damage. This may include accessing specialist expertise. The unit applies to those who 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. It does not apply to those undertaking an investigation in order to provide legal advice or prepare for legal proceedings.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to the development, implementation and maintenance of elements of a work health and safety management system (WHSMS). WHSMSs support organisations in systematically managing work health and safety (WHS) in the workplace. WHSMSs consist of a documented set of plans, actions and procedures that target improvements. The unit applies to those with organisational responsibilities for contributing to tasks in relation to elements of a WHSMS appropriate to the nature and scale of the organisation and its WHS risks. These people will have supervisory responsibilities, 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.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead the development and use of work health and safety (WHS) risk management tools. The unit applies to those responsible for managing hazards in the workplace whose role requires them to provide leadership in WHS risk management.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage the identification, review, development, implementation and evaluation of consultation and participation processes as an integral part of managing work health and safety (WHS). The unit applies to those responsible for facilitating consultation about and participation in WHS management and decision-making across the organisation. These people 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.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to managing a work health and safety information system (WHSIS) that supports the effective management of WHS. It involves accessing, collecting and analysing WHS information and data; evaluating the effectiveness of the WHSIS and contributing to improving the management of WHS; and communicating the change. The unit applies to those who contribute to managing a WHSIS. These people 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. Individuals will apply skills and knowledge to enable them to manage information and data management processes, including analysis of the data. They are not required to design the actual information system or process.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage work health and safety (WHS) hazards and to comply with WHS laws, as they apply to the management or control of items of plant being maintained and used in a workplace. It requires strong communication skills and systematic approaches to identify and resolve WHS issues associated with plant. The unit applies to those who provide guidance to others in the workplace in managing WHS hazards associated with plant. The unit does not apply to the design, manufacture, supply, installation, construction or commissioning of plant or issuing of licences associated with plant.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement initial response procedures for emergencies. Its focus is on the implementation of procedures already developed for short-term emergency responses. It assumes that expert advice will be available in identifying potential emergencies and in formulating response plans. The unit applies to those with supervisory responsibilities for managing work health and safety (WHS) in the workplace who contribute to the implementation of procedures for responding to emergencies. These people 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.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation. The unit applies to individuals working at a managerial level who lead and build a positive culture within their work teams. At this level, work will normally be carried out using complex and diverse methods and procedures requiring the exercise of considerable discretion and judgement. It will also involve using a range of problem solving and decision-making strategies.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and implement workplace sustainability policies and to modify the policy to suit changed circumstances. The unit applies to individuals with managerial responsibilities who undertake work developing approaches to create, monitor and improve strategies and policies within workplaces. These individuals also engage with a range of relevant stakeholders and specialists. 'Sustainability' in this unit refers to a broad approach that focuses on the minimisation of an organisation’s social, economic and environmental impact, as well as proactive value creation in these areas.