Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:24 PM AWST

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Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring

Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring

Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS406C
State Code
WB915
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/03/2009
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/11/2010
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
08/11/2010
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to accurately use equipment to contribute to the monitoring of agents and/or conditions in the workplace including, but not be limited to noise, vibration, light, fibres, dusts, fumes, mists, heat and humidity, radiation, and biological agents such as insects, mites and bacteria.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Select measuring device/s
  • 1.1. Identify agent and/or condition to be measured through consultation with workplace and affected parties
  • 1.2. Identify characteristics of agent and/or condition
  • 1.3. Define area where measurements are to be taken
  • 1.4. Identify types of appropriate measuring equipment
  • 1.5. Select measuring equipment appropriate to the agent and/or condition, the environment, the activities being carried out and the level of risk
  • 1.6. Recognise limits of own expertise and available equipment, and seek expert advice and equipment as appropriate
2. Prepare to collect workplace information and data
  • 2.1. Identify any regulatory requirements and/or standards that impact on the measuring process
  • 2.2. Define a sampling process
  • 2.3. Make arrangements with the workplace to collect information and data including advising those involved in workplace activities of any requirements
  • 2.4. Define sampling plan after inspecting area, and in consultation with employees and affected parties regarding the nature of the problem
  • 2.5. Check operability of equipment
3. Use devices to collect workplace information and data
  • 3.1. Select and calibrate monitoring equipment, and select appropriate scale
  • 3.2. Conduct tests or practice using equipment or tests
  • 3.3. Use and maintain equipment correctly to accurately collect information and data
  • 3.4. Address own occupational health and safety (OHS) while collecting information and data
  • 3.5. Collect information and data, and record readings utilising professional evaluation and advice as appropriate
  • 3.6. Dismantle and clean equipment and parts or dispose of appropriately
  • 3.7. Correctly store equipment or make ready for re-use as appropriate
4. Document and evaluate results of monitoring
  • 4.1. Interpret and evaluate results against a recognised standard, and document results
  • 4.2. Address, in the report, any regulatory requirements and consider purpose of report and the target audience
  • 4.3. Present required information and data clearly and logically
  • 4.4. Retain and store results and records in a format that enables them to be readily retrieved in accordance with regulatory requirements and/or standards
real or potential hazard to be monitored and may include, but is not be limited to:
biological agents such as insects, mites and bacteria
electricity
fibres, dusts, particulates
fumes, mists, gases, vapours
heat and humidity
light
noise
radiation (ionising, non-ionising, laser)
vibration

dose factors relating to concentration and time
how an agent affects specific parts of the body, such as extent of damage to tissue and/or effects such as additive, antagonistic, synergism and potentiation
how an agent is absorbed into the body
way an agent behaves in the environment, including over distance and time

area/space available
location
movements of people and equipment
number of persons occupying area
other factors that may impact on the sampling or data collection processes
physical features of equipment, such as emitting sources
tasks/activities being undertaken

Australian and international standards, such as those produced by Standards Australia and the Australian Safety and Compensation Council
biological exposure indices
exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in occupational environments
guidance material such as guidance notes, guides, fact sheets, model regulations and technical reports that provide practical guidance and directions for hazard control
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
state/territory and commonwealth OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including those relating to specific hazards

other practical and financial considerations
process, substance or hazard event likely to be causing the ill health or symptoms
size of the workforce (i.e. individual worker or group/s of workers)
type of exposure

conditions such as activities and number of people present when measurements were made
date, time and duration of collection
locations where information and data was collected
readouts/measurements taken
sampling method (e.g. grab, longitudinal, continuous)
specifications of equipment used

availability of appropriate attachments, leads, filters etc
battery serviceability checks
check and function tests
National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA ) tested and certified, with certificate of currency as appropriate

as a basis for design of improved and/or new control measures
hazard identification
legal compliance
risk assessment

designers and engineers
management
OHS committee or OHS representatives
OHS or environmental regulatory bodies
OHS professionals

agent/condition being monitored and key issues associated with the agent/condition
evaluation of results with reference to appropriate standards
interpretation and discussion of results
sampling process:
conditions at time of sampling, including whether the sampling period represented normal operating conditions
how measurements were taken
locations where samples were taken
specifications of equipment used
table of results
target audience for report
where, when and why measurements were taken

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

accurate use of appropriate equipment to monitor selected agents and/or conditions in the workplace
knowledge of relevant legislation, acts, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material specific to measuring processes to identify hazards, assess risk and monitor the effectiveness of risk controls.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a workplace or a simulated workplace with hazards requiring testing and monitoring
access to appropriate office and workplace equipment and resources
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
demonstration of techniques used to measure and monitor workplace hazards
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of techniques for correctly using intrinsically safe measuring and monitoring equipment
review of documented results
review of reports on testing undertaken
evaluation of equipment operability.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D0900 BSBOHS406B Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WE731 BSBWHS409A Assist with workplace monitoring processes Unit of competency