Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 2:33 AM AWST
23/07/2026 2:33 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Investigate WHS incidents
Investigate WHS incidents
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBWHS505A
BSBWHS505A
State Code
WE737
WE737
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/02/2013
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
27/02/2013
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, conduct and report on investigations of work health and safety (WHS) incidents that have resulted in, or have the potential to result in, injury or damage.It covers conducting an initial assessment of the situation; establishing the scope and legal parameters of the investigation; conducting a systematic analysis to identify underlying causes and actions for prevention; and reporting on the outcomes of the investigation appropriate to the potential severity of the incident, which may include accessing specialist expertise.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Ensure initial responses to the incident are properly carried out
- 1.1 Prepare and implement a workplace procedure for incident investigation
- 1.2 Ensure site of the incident is safe and secured and that the immediate needs of those involved in the incident are met
- 1.3 Ensure WHS legislative requirements are met
- 1.4 Ensure other actions are performed to meet requirements of relevant workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems
2. Develop an investigation plan
- 2.1 Apply knowledge of WHS legislation and workplace policies, procedures and systems to assist with identifying duty holders and ensure requirements of WHS legislation and workplace policies, procedures, processes and systems are met by the investigation plan
- 2.2 Form an appropriate investigation team
- 2.3 Define the scope and purpose of the investigation and ensure they are appropriate to the scope and nature of the incident
- 2.4 Ensure participation of, and consultation with, individuals and parties as part of the planning process and specify agreed participation and consultation processes to occur during all phases of the investigation
- 2.5 Identify, document and obtain necessary resources to conduct the investigation, including expert advice if required
- 2.6 Identify, address and document barriers to investigation
- 2.7 Ensure planning includes agreed timelines, objectives, responsibilities, roles, documentation, actions and outcomes
3. Collect information and data
- 3.1 Identify and access sources of information and data
- 3.2 Inspect incident site, equipment and other evidence, and document outcome of inspection
- 3.3 Gather information and data in ways that ensure objectivity, confidentiality, validity and accuracy
4. Analyse information and data gathered to identify immediate and underlying causes and practical prevention measures
- 4.1 Ensure investigation team understands, identifies and applies the conceptual bases for the analysis
- 4.2 Construct timeline of events leading up to the incident
- 4.3 Investigate key events, conditions and/or circumstances that together resulted in the incident
- 4.4 Develop actions, interventions and practical measures to prevent the re-occurrence of the incident and to address root causes
- 4.5 Specify recommended actions, interventions or measures, and plans for their implementation and evaluation
5. Compile and communicate investigation report
- 5.1 Prepare a report on the investigation, phrasing it in objective terms
- 5.2 Cite evidence and basis for conclusions and recommendations
- 5.3 Communicate the report to individuals and parties as appropriate
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Incident includes:
accidents
incidents as referred to in WHS legislation
major to minor incidents resulting in:
major to minor injuries and diseases
major to minor damage to property, equipment, work processes or the environment
near misses, where no injury or damage occurs.
Immediate needs may include:
first aid
emergency evacuation and medical treatment
counselling and other personal support.
WHS legislative requirements may include:
complying with specific requirements of WHS legislation relating to incident and incident notification, such as:
for registered major hazard facilities
reviewing general workplace management measures and specific hazard control measures following a notifiable incident
preserving incident sites
complying with non-disturbance notices.
WHS legislation may include:
Acts
regulations
codes of practice.
Duty holders may include:
as specified in WHS Acts:
persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace.
Individuals and parties may include:
community
contractors
coroners
designers
government agencies, including WHS and emergency services agencies
importers
installers
insurance companies
internal and external specialists
managers and supervisors
manufacturers
media
occupational health and safety professionals
organisation’s board
PCBUs or their officers
suppliers and distributors
union representatives
worker assistance personnel
workers and family members.
Barriers to investigation may include:
availability of required resources, information and data, for example in relation to specific workplace issues, such as substance abuse
availability of witnesses
cultural issues
language
legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, shortterm or longterm)
length of time from when incident occurred or was first identified
location and/or accessibility of site
management and worker attitude, including desire to protect self and others
political and community stakeholder sensitivity
time limits imposed
unsecured incident site.
Conceptual bases for the analysis includes:
adopting an open-minded and objective approach
analysing policies, procedures, processes and systems in place at the time of the incident
focusing on the how, what and why of the incident
not focusing on individual behaviour or fault
using applicable models of causation and occurrence.
Timeline of events may include:
events and processes that extend back in time as far as required to identify root causes
not just focusing on recent and immediate events and processes.
Root causes may include:
workplace:
policies
procedures
processes
systems.
Incident includes:
accidents
incidents as referred to in WHS legislation
major to minor incidents resulting in:
major to minor injuries and diseases
major to minor damage to property, equipment, work processes or the environment
near misses, where no injury or damage occurs.
Immediate needs may include:
first aid
emergency evacuation and medical treatment
counselling and other personal support.
WHS legislative requirements may include:
complying with specific requirements of WHS legislation relating to incident and incident notification, such as:
for registered major hazard facilities
reviewing general workplace management measures and specific hazard control measures following a notifiable incident
preserving incident sites
complying with non-disturbance notices.
WHS legislation may include:
Acts
regulations
codes of practice.
Duty holders may include:
as specified in WHS Acts:
persons conducting businesses or undertakings (PCBUs) or their officers
workers
other persons at a workplace.
Individuals and parties may include:
community
contractors
coroners
designers
government agencies, including WHS and emergency services agencies
importers
installers
insurance companies
internal and external specialists
managers and supervisors
manufacturers
media
occupational health and safety professionals
organisation’s board
PCBUs or their officers
suppliers and distributors
union representatives
worker assistance personnel
workers and family members.
Barriers to investigation may include:
availability of required resources, information and data, for example in relation to specific workplace issues, such as substance abuse
availability of witnesses
cultural issues
language
legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, shortterm or longterm)
length of time from when incident occurred or was first identified
location and/or accessibility of site
management and worker attitude, including desire to protect self and others
political and community stakeholder sensitivity
time limits imposed
unsecured incident site.
Conceptual bases for the analysis includes:
adopting an open-minded and objective approach
analysing policies, procedures, processes and systems in place at the time of the incident
focusing on the how, what and why of the incident
not focusing on individual behaviour or fault
using applicable models of causation and occurrence.
Timeline of events may include:
events and processes that extend back in time as far as required to identify root causes
not just focusing on recent and immediate events and processes.
Root causes may include:
workplace:
policies
procedures
processes
systems.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
investigation of WHS incidents in a systematic manner
initial assessment of the situation and the establishment of an investigation plan
recommendations arising from the investigation
identification of immediate and underlying causes, and construction of a timeline of events leading up to the incident with intervention points on the timeline for prevention and a root tree analysis.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
workplace documents and case studies and, where possible, real situations
office equipment and resources
other personnel involved in investigations.
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
assessment of written reports on incidents
demonstration of techniques used to conduct WHS incident investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of requirements for reporting under WHS legislation, including notification and reporting of incidents
review of authenticated documents from the workplace
evaluation of area checks after an incident
scoping of the investigation
recording of documentary evidence
research of causative events.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other BSB07 WHS units.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
investigation of WHS incidents in a systematic manner
initial assessment of the situation and the establishment of an investigation plan
recommendations arising from the investigation
identification of immediate and underlying causes, and construction of a timeline of events leading up to the incident with intervention points on the timeline for prevention and a root tree analysis.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
workplace documents and case studies and, where possible, real situations
office equipment and resources
other personnel involved in investigations.
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
assessment of written reports on incidents
demonstration of techniques used to conduct WHS incident investigations
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of onthejob performance by the candidate
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of requirements for reporting under WHS legislation, including notification and reporting of incidents
review of authenticated documents from the workplace
evaluation of area checks after an incident
scoping of the investigation
recording of documentary evidence
research of causative events.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other BSB07 WHS units.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D0910 | BSBOHS508B | Participate in the investigation of incidents | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUK76 | BSBWHS505 | Investigate WHS incidents | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J347 | BSB51312 | Diploma of Work Health and Safety | Qualification |