Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:51 AM AWST

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Apply principles of OHS risk management

Apply principles of OHS risk management

Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS504B
State Code
D0906
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
31/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
31/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use a generic approach to identify hazards, and to assess and control occupational health and safety (OHS) risks.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Access sources of information and data to identify hazards
  • 1.1. Access external sources of information and data to assist in identifying hazards
  • 1.2. Review workplace sources of information and data to access and assist in identification of hazards
  • 1.3. Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and OHS specialists
  • 1.4. Conduct formal and informal research to ensure currency of information with workplace issues
2. Analyse the work environment to identify hazards
  • 2.1. Define, document and communicate occasions when action for hazard identification is required
  • 2.2. Source tools to assist in analysing potential hazards
  • 2.3. Examine task demands and task environment for impact on the person to identify situations with a potential for injury or ill health
  • 2.4. Examine workforce structure, organisation of work and work relationships to identify situations with a potential for injury or ill health
  • 2.5. Examine work environment for agents with a potential for injury or ill health
  • 2.6. Seek input from stakeholders to clarify and confirm issues
3. Assess risk associated with hazards
  • 3.1. Identify factors contributing to risk
  • 3.2. Identify current risk controls for each hazard
  • 3.3. Evaluate adequacy of current controls (if any), taking account of relevant standards and knowledge
  • 3.4. Identify discrepancies between current controls and required quality of control
  • 3.5. Prioritise hazards requiring further control action
  • 3.6. Document method and outcomes of risk assessment
4. Control risk associated with hazards
  • 4.1. Develop a range of control options in consultation with stakeholders, taking account of the outcomes of the risk assessment and the hierarchy of control
  • 4.2. Identify potential factors impacting on the effectiveness of controls
  • 4.3. Seek advice from OHS specialists and key personnel if required
  • 4.4. Identify and seek appropriate authority and relevant resources to initiate and maintain controls
  • 4.5. Identify and document actions required to achieve change
  • 4.6. Analyse extent of change and reduction in risk, as a result of controls
5. Maintain hazard identification and risk control processes
  • 5.1. Establish and maintain a risk register relevant to the workplace
  • 5.2. Document and communicate risk management procedures to stakeholders and key personnel, as appropriate
  • 5.3. Document and communicate outcomes of risk management processes to stakeholders and key personnel, as appropriate
  • 5.4. Involve stakeholders and operational staff in risk management processes
  • 5.5. Identify situations where OHS specialists may be required
6. Monitor and review risk management processes
  • 6.1. Determine frequency, method and scope of review in consultation with workplace stakeholders and key personnel
  • 6.2. Ensure stakeholders and key personnel have input to the review
  • 6.3. Identify areas for improvement in the risk management processes and make recommendations
  • 6.4. Prepare action plans, including allocated responsibilities and timeframes for implementation
  • 6.5. Regularly review effectiveness of risk management processes
databases with national and state injury data such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
employer groups
industry bodies
journals and websites
legislation, codes of practice and standards
manufacturers' manual and specifications
OHS regulatory authorities
OHS specialists
unions.

source or a situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health
damage to property
damage to the environment
or a combination of these.

audits
employees
hazard, incident and investigation reports
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
minutes of meetings
OHS representatives
reports
workplace inspections.

employees
health and safety, and other employee representatives
managers
OHS committees
supervisors.

managers from other areas
people involved in OHS decision making or who are affected by OHS decisions

engineers
ergonomists
occupational hygienists
organisational psychologists
toxicologists
workplace injury and return to work advisors.

changes in equipment, including technology
changes in social, political or community environment
changes in work organisation, including:
contracting
hire arrangements
casualisation
supervisory arrangements
outworkers
rosters
shift work
work hours
work relations
changes in work practice
changes to legislation and standards
new knowledge on hazards
outcomes of court rulings.

at design or pre-purchase of buildings, equipment and materials
at regular intervals during normal operations
before changes are made to workplace, equipment, work processes or work arrangements
commissioning or pre-implementation of new processes or practices
following an incident report
new forms of work and organisation of work
planning major tasks or activities, such as equipment shut-downs
prior to disposal of equipment, buildings or materials
when new knowledge becomes available.

audits
cause and effect diagrams
JSA
surveys.

arousal and alertness
machine pacing or time pressure to complete a task
physical or physiological demands
repetitive nature of task
required precision or accuracy.

air quality
lighting
noise
thermal

biological
chemical
ergonomic
nuclear
physical
psychosocial
radiological.

equipment
frequency and duration of exposure
individual/operator
number of people exposed/involved
task
work environment
work organisation.

Australian and industry standards
codes of practice
current knowledge related to the specific hazard and controls
current practice in the industry
legislation.

other recognised processes
specially designed tools
standard ranking tools.

factors contributing to risk
current controls and their adequacy
discrepancy between current control and required standard
prioritisation or ranking of a number of risks, where appropriate.

eliminating hazards
and where this is not practicable, minimising risk by:
substitution
isolating the hazard from personnel
using engineering controls
using administrative controls (e.g. procedures, training)
using personal protective equipment (PPE).

cultural diversity
language
literacy and numeracy levels
shift work and rostering arrangements
training required
workplace culture related to OHS including commitment by managers and supervisors and compliance with procedures and training
workplace organisational structures (size of organisation, geographic, hierarchical).

list of hazards, their location and people exposed
possible control measures and dates for implementation
range of possible scenarios or circumstances under which the hazards may cause injury or damage
results of the risk analysis related to the hazards.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:


products used in:

the application of a risk management approach to identifying hazards
assessing OHS risk
controlling OHS risk
how these products were developed and implemented
knowledge of relevant OHS legislation (acts, regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to workplace or simulated workplace
access to workplace documentation
access to office equipment and resources
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines relating to risks found in the workplace.

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 the effectiveness of the hazard identification, risk assessment, control and management actions taken
demonstration of techniques used to identify hazards, assess associated risks, control monitor and evaluate risks
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the OHS information system
review of action plans
written reports on hazard identification and risk management activities, matrices and measurements undertaken.

Guidance information for assessment

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

BSBOHS403B Identify hazards and assess OHS risks
BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk
BSBOHS603B Analyse and evaluate OHS risk.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C7798 BSBOHS504A Apply principles of OHS risk management Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WE735 BSBWHS503A Contribute to the systematic management of WHS risk Unit of competency