Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:51 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:51 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.
Apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
Apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS605B
BSBOHS605B
State Code
D0916
D0916
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
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 apply occupational hygiene knowledge and the techniques to control occupational health and safety (OHS) risk arising from health hazards at work.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify health hazards that may result from features of the workplace or working environment
- 1.1. Identify workplace factors that may affect the health of workers
- 1.2. Identify health hazards that may result from work processes, work operations, equipment and work procedures
- 1.3. Identify possible routes of entry to the body and consequent effects on the body for different workplace factors
- 1.4. Identify situations where OHS specialists and other advisors may be required
2. Analyse the risks of worker exposure to potentially harmful agents and factors
- 2.1. Determine sources of exposure and related factors to potentially harmful agents and factors in work processes and methods
- 2.2. Identify equipment, sampling plan and techniques for assessing the exposure to selected agents and factors within a workplace
- 2.3. Interpret and evaluate monitoring and sampling results to provide an assessment of exposure
- 2.4. Utilise exposure standards in the assessment of risks
- 2.5. Report workplace measurements, interpretations and recommendations to stakeholders in a suitable format for the target group
3. Design risk control strategies and advise on implementation
- 3.1. Apply the hierarchy of control to design risk control strategies, noting that personal protective equipment (PPE) is regarded as the least satisfactory control measure
- 3.2. Identify inadequacies in existing control measures and provide remedial advice
- 3.3. Develop, select and implement risk control measures when undertaking effective consultation and collaboration with organisation, affected employees and others
- 3.4. Access external sources of information and data, and specialist advisors as required, on nature of health hazard, level of risk, and risk control options
4. Monitor and evaluate control strategies to minimise workplace exposures
- 4.1. Monitor and regularly evaluate quality and outcomes of interventions in consultation with stakeholders and relevant employees
- 4.2. Facilitate modifications to interventions including consultations, as required, as a result of findings of regular evaluation and monitoring
- 4.3. Identify and document training needs, and arrange training in consultation with workplace stakeholders if required
- 4.4. Make recommendations regarding future interventions as a result of evaluation and monitoring
chemical agents such as:
solids
liquids
gases
hazardous or non hazardous substances
toxins
vapours
dusts
mists
fibres
chemical hazards occurring through airborne exposure and through skin contact
other chemical contaminants arising through direct use or as by-product contaminants
physical agents such as:
noise
vibration
pressure
light
thermal
ionising and non-ionising radiation
biological agents such as:
viruses
bacteria
zoonoses
animals
animal products
plants and plant products
allergens that may induce asthma, dermatitis
ergonomic factors such as:
body position in relation to use of equipment or controls/awkward postures
harmful repetitive work
psychosocial factors such as:
exposure to harmful/psychological stress at work due to work demand, environment.
source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property or the environment, or a combination of these.
allied health
engineers (ventilation, mechanical, chemical, electrical)
equipment manufacturers and suppliers
ergonomists
injury management and return to work advisors
internal and external OHS professionals
occupational health advisors
specialist occupational hygienists
substance manufacturers, importers and suppliers
toxicologists.
needle stick exposures
noise etc. produced by plant and machinery
occupationally related contact
substances/products created or generated by work processes, for example fume, carbon monoxide and dust
working with animals and animal products.
dose related impacts
synergistic/potentiation effects (increased effects of multiple exposures) compared with antagonistic effects (lessening effects of two or more substances than the effect of each in isolation).
established concentrations of substances that are given as guidance in assessing the risk of exposure
state/territory, national and/or international publications.
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 PPE.
equipment designed to be worn by a person to provide protection from hazards, such as:
clothing and footwear
face and eye protection
hand protection
head protection
hearing protection
respiratory protection.
academic institutions, centres of research and libraries
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Australian Safety and Compensation Council
Australian Standards, national codes of practice, guidance notes
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
databases such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
engineers
external OHS professionals and specialists
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
OHS professional associations
state and territory OHS regulatory bodies
union and employer associations
Workplace Exposure Standards (WES).
correct selection, use, servicing, storage and disposal of PPE
interpretation of information and data contained in MSDSs, technical documents or brochures about substances, tools, equipment and plant
legislative requirements
maintenance of equipment, tools and plant to ensure effective performance of control systems
methods of minimising exposure
personal hygiene
requirements for health monitoring of use of certain workplace hazardous substances such as lead
risks associated with specific tasks
workplace housekeeping.
solids
liquids
gases
hazardous or non hazardous substances
toxins
vapours
dusts
mists
fibres
chemical hazards occurring through airborne exposure and through skin contact
other chemical contaminants arising through direct use or as by-product contaminants
physical agents such as:
noise
vibration
pressure
light
thermal
ionising and non-ionising radiation
biological agents such as:
viruses
bacteria
zoonoses
animals
animal products
plants and plant products
allergens that may induce asthma, dermatitis
ergonomic factors such as:
body position in relation to use of equipment or controls/awkward postures
harmful repetitive work
psychosocial factors such as:
exposure to harmful/psychological stress at work due to work demand, environment.
source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property or the environment, or a combination of these.
allied health
engineers (ventilation, mechanical, chemical, electrical)
equipment manufacturers and suppliers
ergonomists
injury management and return to work advisors
internal and external OHS professionals
occupational health advisors
specialist occupational hygienists
substance manufacturers, importers and suppliers
toxicologists.
needle stick exposures
noise etc. produced by plant and machinery
occupationally related contact
substances/products created or generated by work processes, for example fume, carbon monoxide and dust
working with animals and animal products.
dose related impacts
synergistic/potentiation effects (increased effects of multiple exposures) compared with antagonistic effects (lessening effects of two or more substances than the effect of each in isolation).
established concentrations of substances that are given as guidance in assessing the risk of exposure
state/territory, national and/or international publications.
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 PPE.
equipment designed to be worn by a person to provide protection from hazards, such as:
clothing and footwear
face and eye protection
hand protection
head protection
hearing protection
respiratory protection.
academic institutions, centres of research and libraries
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Australian Safety and Compensation Council
Australian Standards, national codes of practice, guidance notes
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
databases such as National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
engineers
external OHS professionals and specialists
manufacturers' manuals and specifications
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
OHS professional associations
state and territory OHS regulatory bodies
union and employer associations
Workplace Exposure Standards (WES).
correct selection, use, servicing, storage and disposal of PPE
interpretation of information and data contained in MSDSs, technical documents or brochures about substances, tools, equipment and plant
legislative requirements
maintenance of equipment, tools and plant to ensure effective performance of control systems
methods of minimising exposure
personal hygiene
requirements for health monitoring of use of certain workplace hazardous substances such as lead
risks associated with specific tasks
workplace housekeeping.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
application of hygiene interventions to control OHS risk in work design processes and the work environment
products developed for application of knowledge and skill in hygiene interventions
how these products were developed
use of these products
knowledge of toxicology of hazardous materials and potential health effects in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
access to workplace for identification and measurement activities.
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
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
demonstration of techniques used to apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of principles to control OHS risk
review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
evaluation of monitoring and sampling results
assessment of reporting of workplace measurements, interpretations and recommendations to stakeholders
review of documented training needs and training arranged as a result of these needs
evaluation of reports on occupational hygiene programs.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS406C Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring
BSBOHS504B Apply principles of OHS risk management
BSBOHS505C Manage hazards in the work environment.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
application of hygiene interventions to control OHS risk in work design processes and the work environment
products developed for application of knowledge and skill in hygiene interventions
how these products were developed
use of these products
knowledge of toxicology of hazardous materials and potential health effects in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
access to workplace for identification and measurement activities.
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
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
demonstration of techniques used to apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of principles to control OHS risk
review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
evaluation of monitoring and sampling results
assessment of reporting of workplace measurements, interpretations and recommendations to stakeholders
review of documented training needs and training arranged as a result of these needs
evaluation of reports on occupational hygiene programs.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS406C Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring
BSBOHS504B Apply principles of OHS risk management
BSBOHS505C Manage hazards in the work environment.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7806 | BSBOHS605A | Apply occupational hygiene principles to control OHS risk | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE750 | BSBWHS608A | Assist with applying occupational hygiene to manage WHS hazards and risks | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D549 | MSS70211 | Graduate Certificate In Environmental Management | Qualification |
| D728 | FNS60811 | Advanced Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D721 | FNS50811 | Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D186 | BSB60607 | Advanced Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety | Qualification |