Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:40 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:40 PM AWST
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Apply ergonomic principles to control OHS risk
Apply ergonomic principles to control OHS risk
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSOHS604A
PSPSOHS604A
State Code
C8362
C8362
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the outcomes required to apply ergonomic knowledge, principles and techniques to control OHS risk.In practice, applying ergonomic principles to control OHS risk may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as promoting ethical practice, applying government systems, influencing opinion, fostering leadership, managing resources, managing compliance with legislation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Assess the degree of match between people and their activities, equipment, environment and systems
- 1.1 The extent of human variability in the organisation is identified.
- 1.2 Demands placed on people in the organisation by their activities, equipment, environment and systems are determined.
- 1.3 People's capacity to interact optimally with their activities, equipment, environment and systems is determined.
- 1.4 The match between people and their activities, equipment, environment and systems is determined.
- 1.5 Specialist advisers and relevant stakeholders are identified for sources of information and data, and consulted during the assessment process.
2 Design ergonomic interventions to enhance the match between people and their activities, equipment, environment and systems
- 2.1 Ergonomic interventions in the design process to optimise the match between people and their activities, equipment, environment and systems are identified.
- 2.2 The work environment is designed to optimise the match between people, their activities, equipment, environment and systems.
- 2.3 Tools and databases are used to assess tasks and designs to minimise risk.
- 2.4 Recommendations are made to optimise the integration of controls and displays into the decision making processes within the work system.
3 Implement ergonomic interventions to enhance the match between people and their activities, equipment, environment and systems
- 3.1 Advice is provided on the impact of legislation, codes of practice and standards on the selection and implementation of ergonomic interventions.
- 3.2 Key personnel, stakeholders and users are consulted when developing, selecting and implementing ergonomic interventions.
- 3.3 Links are made with other functional areas and management systems.
- 3.4 Implementation of the agreed intervention is facilitated.
- 3.5 Training needs are identified and documented.
- 3.6 Resources necessary to introduce and maintain the agreed interventions are identified and documented.
- 3.7 The outcomes of ergonomic assessments and interventions are reported to key personnel and stakeholders.
4 Evaluate ergonomic interventions
- 4.1 Quality and outcomes of ergonomic interventions are evaluated in consultation with stakeholders and users.
- 4.2 Modification of interventions is facilitated as required as a result of the evaluation findings.
- 4.3 Recommendations are made regarding future interventions as a result of the evaluation.
The range statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The range statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance criteria is explained here.
Specialists advisors may include:
specialist ergonomists
occupational hygienists
engineers (such as design, acoustic, safety, mechanical, civil)
health professionals
legal practitioners
designers
manufacturers and suppliers
Stakeholders may include:
managers
supervisors
employees
health and safety and other employee representatives
OHS committees
Sources of information and data may include:
external sources such as:
state and territory OHS regulatory bodies
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)
relevant state or territory OHS legislation and codes of practice
international and Australian standards
National Plant and Certification Standards and associated guidance material
professional associations such as Ergonomics Society of Australia, Safety Institute of Australia, Institute of Engineers Australia, Design Institute of Australia and Building Design Professionals
employer groups, unions and industry bodies
OHS professionals, including those involved in safety engineering, occupational hygiene, occupational health, injury management, toxicology, ergonomics and epidemiology
internal sources such as:
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
purchasing, contract and tendering procedures
hazard, incident and investigation reports
enforcement notices and actions
workplace inspections
minutes of meetings
reports
audits, questionnaires and surveys
job and task statements
documents describing how tasks, projects. inspections, jobs and processes are undertaken
employees
Ergonomics interventions may include:
design of tools
design of workplaces
design of products
design of equipment
design of work systems, processes or organisation including work flow, planning and control
job design
development of new decision making processes
new forms and organisations of work
Tools and databases may include but are not limited to:
engineering models
Australian and international standards
Australian and international anthropometric databases
Legislation, codes of practice and standards may include:
current Commonwealth and relevant state/territory OHS legislation, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
workers compensation
privacy legislation
contract law
trade practices
criminal law
common law
industrial relations law
equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination law
Australian and international standards
Key personnel include:
managers involved in OHS decision making or who may be impacted by decisions
Other functional areas and management systems may include:
strategic planning
purchasing, procurement and contracting
logistics
human resource, industrial relations and personnel management including payroll
engineering and maintenance
information and records management
finance and auditing
environmental management
quality management
Resources may include:
financial requirements
personnel, including time allocation
equipment
specialised resources such as electronic management systems, communications media and information/data technology equipment
Specialists advisors may include:
specialist ergonomists
occupational hygienists
engineers (such as design, acoustic, safety, mechanical, civil)
health professionals
legal practitioners
designers
manufacturers and suppliers
Stakeholders may include:
managers
supervisors
employees
health and safety and other employee representatives
OHS committees
Sources of information and data may include:
external sources such as:
state and territory OHS regulatory bodies
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)
relevant state or territory OHS legislation and codes of practice
international and Australian standards
National Plant and Certification Standards and associated guidance material
professional associations such as Ergonomics Society of Australia, Safety Institute of Australia, Institute of Engineers Australia, Design Institute of Australia and Building Design Professionals
employer groups, unions and industry bodies
OHS professionals, including those involved in safety engineering, occupational hygiene, occupational health, injury management, toxicology, ergonomics and epidemiology
internal sources such as:
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
purchasing, contract and tendering procedures
hazard, incident and investigation reports
enforcement notices and actions
workplace inspections
minutes of meetings
reports
audits, questionnaires and surveys
job and task statements
documents describing how tasks, projects. inspections, jobs and processes are undertaken
employees
Ergonomics interventions may include:
design of tools
design of workplaces
design of products
design of equipment
design of work systems, processes or organisation including work flow, planning and control
job design
development of new decision making processes
new forms and organisations of work
Tools and databases may include but are not limited to:
engineering models
Australian and international standards
Australian and international anthropometric databases
Legislation, codes of practice and standards may include:
current Commonwealth and relevant state/territory OHS legislation, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
workers compensation
privacy legislation
contract law
trade practices
criminal law
common law
industrial relations law
equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination law
Australian and international standards
Key personnel include:
managers involved in OHS decision making or who may be impacted by decisions
Other functional areas and management systems may include:
strategic planning
purchasing, procurement and contracting
logistics
human resource, industrial relations and personnel management including payroll
engineering and maintenance
information and records management
finance and auditing
environmental management
quality management
Resources may include:
financial requirements
personnel, including time allocation
equipment
specialised resources such as electronic management systems, communications media and information/data technology equipment
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the unit descriptor, performance criteria, The range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service
PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion
PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSOHS601A Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS
PSPSOHS603A Analyse and evaluate OHS risk
PSPSOHS605A Apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
PSPSOHS607A Advise on application of safe design principles to control OHS risk.
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
knowledge requirements of this unit
skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Resources required to carry out assessment
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the application of ergonomic principles to control OHS risk
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when applying ergonomic principles to control OHS risk to control OHS risk.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when applying ergonomic principles to control OHS risk, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
application of ergonomic principles to control OHS risk in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
workplace projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
observation.
portfolios.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Units to be assessed together
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include:
PSPETHC601B Maintain and enhance confidence in public service
PSPGOV605A Persuade and influence opinion
PSPLEGN601B Manage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSOHS601A Develop a systematic approach to managing OHS
PSPSOHS603A Analyse and evaluate OHS risk
PSPSOHS605A Apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
PSPSOHS607A Advise on application of safe design principles to control OHS risk.
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
knowledge requirements of this unit
skill requirements of this unit
application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.
Resources required to carry out assessment
Resources essential for assessment include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the application of ergonomic principles to control OHS risk
workplace documentation, case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when applying ergonomic principles to control OHS risk to control OHS risk.
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when applying ergonomic principles to control OHS risk, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
application of ergonomic principles to control OHS risk in a range of 3 or more contexts or occasions, over time.
Assessment methods should reflect but not exceed workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of individuals who might be disadvantaged.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit must use authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses and may include a combination of two or more of:
workplace projects
simulation or role plays
case studies and scenarios
observation.
portfolios.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate and where the person has a disability the principle of reasonable adjustment should be applied during assessment.
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J326 | PSP60612 | Advanced Diploma of Government (Occupational Health & Safety) | Qualification |