Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:53 AM AWST

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Assess risk

Assess risk

Unit of competency
National Code
MSMWHS401
State Code
AXN77
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/08/2016
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
08/08/2016
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to identify hazards and operability problems and then analyse them by hazard analysis techniques to assess risk. This unit of competency is a specialist unit requiring technical knowledge and is suitable for plant technicians and people in similar roles.A team with a broad knowledge of the system and its operation will carry out the analysis. It is expected that the risk assessment processes are already defined for the enterprise and that the risk acceptance criteria have already been established. The team will be steered by engineering experts or risk assessment specialists in the industry. This unit of competency applies to workers who take an active role in a hazard and operability study (HAZOP) or similar methodology. They are not expected to lead the HAZOP. This unit is not restricted to HAZOPs and may be applied to other methodologies requiring similar competency. The risk assessment should be consistent with AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and guidelines.Team members will contribute their understanding of the process and particularly the operational aspects, and then carry out whatever tasks are assigned to them by the analysis team.The aim of this unit of competency is to apply a methodical examination of the system and its elements to identify hazards and the states or conditions where there may be loss of control of the hazard and the resultant consequences. The technique can be applied at any stage of a project/process life cycle. Although hazard identification should be the main focus, operability problems should be identified to the extent that they have the potential to lead to a breakdown in hazard controls resulting in a health, safety or environmental (HSE) violation or have a negative impact on profitability.This unit of competency applies to an individual working as part of a team or group.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify hazards and potential operability problems
  • 1.1 Contribute to the compiling of a system description of all the machinery, equipment, operations, products and materials relevant to the everyday working procedures of the facility
  • 1.2 Contribute to the compiling of a checklist containing process parameters (primary key words) and guide words (secondary key words) relevant to the system
  • 1.3 Identify hazards, existing control measures and potential operability problems or breakdowns in control measures using the compiled system descriptions and the checklist
2 Assess impact of risk and determine alternative strategies
  • 2.1 Screen for causes of deviations and establish consequences
  • 2.2 Determine alternative strategies for action in relation to each deviation within the range of competency and responsibility
  • 2.3 Review, clarify and/or analyse risk information to determine its relevance and reliability depending upon the task assigned, level of competency and area of responsibility
3 Assess risk information against established risk criteria in risk management plan
  • 3.1 Check risk acceptance criteria for any changes over past period
  • 3.2 Compare risk information against risk acceptance criteria and procedures to assess acceptability of risk
  • 3.3 Liaise with other internal departments to assess impact on business, if applicable
  • 3.4 Document findings according to company policies and procedures
4 Develop a risk register
  • 4.1 Develop a risk assessment chart for each system studied containing deviation, cause, consequence, control measures and action
  • 4.2 Develop action plan for implementation of control measures, including any changes to procedures
  • 4.3 Establish or review the procedures by consulting relevant/different work groups.
  • 4.4 Inform relevant work groups of any changes and implement, within area of responsibility, changes in the procedures
  • 4.5 Monitor effectiveness of the control measures, including revised procedures
5 Establish and maintain procedures for identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risk
  • 5.1 Identify and develop procedures for routine hazard identification, assessment and control of risks
  • 5.2 Address identification of all hazards at the planning, design and evaluation stages of any changes in the workplace to ensure that new hazards are not created by the proposed changes
  • 5.3 Develop and maintain procedures for selection and implementation of risk control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of control
  • 5.4 Identify inadequacies in existing risk control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of control and, within area of responsibility, promptly provide resources enabling implementation of new measures
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Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8258 MSAPMOHS401A Assess risk Unit of competency