SITXWHS006 - Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce & extend knowledge and skill competence within set & controlled parameters in accordance with each units learning outcomes & performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills:

• use organisational work health and safety (WHS) plan to identify each of the following types of actual or foreseeable workplace hazards:

• physical environment
• plant
• work practice
• security issue

• assess the safety risk associated with each of the above hazards, using appropriate risk assessment tools and template documents
• take measures to eliminate or control the risks identified for each of the above hazards in line with organisational procedures.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:

• basic aspects of the relevant state or territory work health and safety (WHS) legislation, specifically requirements for:

• when, where and how hazards must be identified
• when, where and how risk assessments must be conducted
• consultation in the hazard identification and risk assessment process
• WHS committees or WHS representatives as mechanisms for consultation
• record keeping

• group risk assessment mechanisms commonly used
• format and use of appropriate hazard identification and risk assessment templates
• four-stage risk management process model recommended and published by state and territory WHS authorities
• systematic method to assess risk:

• identifying the injury or illness or consequences that could result from the hazard
• determining the exposure to the hazard
• estimating the probability that an incident or injury will occur
• determining an overall risk level for the identified hazard

• common methods applied to controlling risks:

• substituting a system of work or equipment with something safe
• isolating the hazard
• introducing engineering controls
• adopting administrative controls
• using personal protective equipment
• implementing combined control methods to minimise risk
• referring to a higher level staff member for decision on implementing controls

• people involved in the assessment of risk:

• contractors
• managers
• WHS committee members
• WHS representatives
• staff
• supervisors
• suppliers

• five-step hierarchical process model for hazard control recommended and published by state and territory WHS authorities
• appropriate methods to identify hazards:

• conducting site safety audits
• completing safety checklists
• inspecting workplace
• investigating accidents and incidents
• reviewing injury or illness registers
• monitoring workplace environment
• investigation of staff complaints or reports of safety concerns
• review of staff feedback via consultative processes.