Workplace health and safety

Assessment – SITXOHS004B

Student name: ____________________________

What you have to do

There are a total of three (3) parts to complete, as follows:

Part A – consists of tasks requiring an extended response answer.

Part B – consists of a task requiring an extended response answer.

Part C – consists of short answers.

Securely attach your answers on separate sheets that clearly identify the question to which you are responding and number the pages in sequence. At the end of each answer, allow adequate space (at least 6-8 lines), for the teacher’s comments and feedback.

You will be assessed on how well you interpret each task request and how you structure each according to layout, sequencing and by providing all relevant and applicable details for each task.

This is an ungraded unit. Your result is based on the evidence you provide to meet the criteria for competence as specified in the unit of competency and grading criteria. You will receive a result of Achieved Competency (AC) or Not yet Competent (NC).

Information on how to submit your assignment is located on the OTEN website under your OLS log-in.

Tasks

Part A: Develop a WHS Program or Procedure

Task

In this Unit of Competency we learnt that it is common practice for organisations to adopt the “Six Step Approach” to develop and implement a Work health and Safety Management System (WHSMS).

As you discovered, an organisation’s WHS Policy forms the “corner stone” of the WHSMS and clearly states the organisation’s commitment to WHS and identifies the initiatives that will be taken to ensure a safe work environment is provided to all persons working in, serviced by, or visiting the workplace.

For part A of this Assessment you are required to write one (1) WHS Program or Procedure that aims to fulfil the goals set by an Organisation’s WHS Policy.

To successfully complete this task you must:

1. Read the following example WHS Policy for “Big Corp Travel”.

2. Select one (1) of the WHS programs or procedures listed in the WHS Policy for this tourism company and prepare (write) a detailed program or procedure that can be included in the Organisation’s WHS Programs manual.

3. Your WHS Program/Procedure must contain and address the following paragraph headings:

· WHS Program/Procedure title (name).

· Purpose and objectives (what does the program/procedure aim to achieve?)

· Scope (who does this program/procedure apply to? Departments and personnel)

· Program/Procedure (outline the steps in the program – what, where, how)

· Implementation Strategies (how will the program be implemented and communicated to staff?)

· Monitoring and Evaluation (how will the program be monitored and evaluated?)

· Review (when will this program be reviewed to ensure that it remains current and relevant and who will conduct this revision?)

Example WHS Policy

Commitment statement

The health and safety of all persons employed within Big Corp Travel, its customers and those visiting the workplace is considered to be of utmost importance. Resources in line with the importance attached to work health and safety will be made available to comply with all relevant Acts and Regulations and to ensure that a safe work environment (conditions and tasks) is provided at all times.

Management Responsibility

Big Corp Travel acknowledges that the promotion and maintenance of work health and safety is primarily the responsibility of management. Management at all levels is required to contribute to the health and safety of all persons in the workplace. To this end, it is the responsibility of management to develop, implement and keep under view, in consultation with its employees, the organisation’s WHS Programs and Procedures.

Specific Responsibilities

a) Senior management Senior managers are required to ensure that this policy and associated WHS Programs are communicated to and effectively implemented in their areas of control. Senior managers must support their line supervisors and hold them accountable for their specific responsibilities.

b) Management & supervisors Each first-line supervisor is responsible, and will be held accountable, for taking all practical measures to ensure that:

· employees under their control are supervised and trained to meet the requirements of all relevant WHS programs and procedures.

· employees are consulted on all issues which affect their health and are encouraged to refer any WHS concerns to management.

c) Employees All employees are required to co-operate with the WHS Policy and Programs to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace.

d) Contractors All Contractors engaged to perform on the premises or locations are required, as part of their contract, to comply with work health and safety policies, procedures and programs of the organisation and to observe directions on health and safety from designated officers of the organisation. Failure to comply or observe a direction will be considered a breach of the contract and sufficient grounds for termination of the contract.

Work Health and Safety Programs

In order to implement the general provisions of this policy, WHS programs and procedures will be developed, continually updated and effectively carried out. The WHS programs and procedures will relate to all aspects of work health and safety including:

· WHS training and information program

· WHS consultation procedure

· Development of safe work methods

· Emergency procedures

· Incident reporting and injury management procedure

· WHS risk management procedure

This Policy will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the organisation and comply with current WHS legislation.

CEO’s Signature ………………………… Date …………………..

Part B: Develop an WHS Training/Information Session

Task

Providing WHS information and training to workers is a key element in implementing and maintaining a safe work environment. Informing workers of WHS programs/procedures and providing training in specific work tasks, will ensure that all workers are aware of WHS initiatives and safe work practices adopted by the organisation. WHS training and information sessions enable and encourage all workers to actively participate in WHS initiatives.

For Part B of this Assessment you are required to develop a WHS Training/Information session to be presented to a workgroup in an organisation.

To successfully complete this task you must.

1. Choose one (1) of the following WHS topics.

· Bomb threat procedure

· Fire evacuation procedure

· WHS risk management

· First aid procedure

2. Plan and develop a training/information session on the topic you have selected.

3. Your session plan should include the following elements:

· Session title

· Session duration

· Purpose of the session (why do participants need to know this?)

· Learning outcomes (what will the participant learn or be able to do at the end?)

· Topics and content (outline what will be covered in the session – use bullet points)

· Duration of each topic

· List of required learning resources (handouts, posters, student activities etc)

· Assessment (how will participants be assessed – eg conduct a fire drill/ questionnaire etc)

Note: While preparing your WHS training/information session keep in mind that an effective session plan will contain enough information to enable another presenter or trainer to deliver the session exactly as intended by the author.

Part C: Short Answer Questions

Task

Note: WHS is constantly evolving – for this reason you will need to carry out some independent research, away from the leaning material, to successfully answer some of these questions.

1. What State or Territory are you currently living/working in?

2. Provide the full title of the current WHS Act and WHS Regulation in your State or Territory.

3. What is the primary aims and objectives of this Act and Regulation?

4. Which people have a primary “Duty of Care” under this WHS Act?

5. What is the name of the WHS regulatory body in your State or Territory?

6. List and briefly explain four (4) benefits for all staff and managers when WHS programs and procedures are implemented.

7. List and explain four (4) benefits to the organisation when WHS program and procedures are implemented.

8. What should be completed after an “incident” or “near miss” has occurred?

9. List three workplace hazards that are common causes of workplace injury or illness in the Tourism industry.

10. Suggest two control measures for each of the hazards that you identified in Q9 above.

11. What two factors need to be considered when conducting a Risk Assessment?

12. What is WHS Consultation and what is its primary purpose?

13. What factors should be taken into consideration when identifying workgroups to elect and establish OHS Representatives (now known as health and safety representatives)?

14. List and briefly explain the six (6) steps used to develop and implement WHS Management System.

15. Name the Australian Standard that provides guidance in the preparation and implementation of a WHS Management System.

END OF ASSESSMENT