BSBWHS515 — Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• lead the initial response to one work health and safety (WHS) incident that complies with legislative and organisational requirements
• prepare, record and communicate incident investigation report that addresses immediate and underlying causes of incident and recommends practical prevention measures, according to organisational and WHS legislative requirements.
• During the above, the candidate must:
• systematically develop and document a plan to investigate the incident
• collect, use and document information and data relevant to incident investigation
• establish key events, conditions and/or circumstances that contributed to the incident
• identify actions required to respond to the incident, including any recommendations for changes to WHS arrangements.

Knowledge evidence

• WHS laws applicable to WHS incidents and their investigation
• organisational WHS policies, procedures, processes, systems, roles and responsibilities relating to responding to and investigating WHS incidents:
• incident response plan that meets legislative and organisational requirements
• protocols and procedures for investigation, including preserving incident site as required
• protocols for maintaining objectivity, confidentiality, privacy and commercial requirements during investigation of WHS incident
• information and data collection procedures that ensure their validity, admissibility and accuracy
• due diligence and duty of care requirements when investigating WHS incidents
• required format for reporting incident investigations
• common industry-accepted causation models, and their use in informing data collection and analysis
• internal and external sources of WHS information and data relevant to WHS incident investigations
• key components of incident investigation plan, including:
• duty holders, expert advisers and key stakeholders appropriate to incident
• agreed timelines, objectives, responsibilities, roles, documentation, actions and outcomes
• levels of accountability
• protocols for ensuring privacy and sensitivity throughout investigation
• key components of investigation report, including:
• identified incident root causes
• recommended actions, interventions and practical measures arising from investigation
• plans for implementing and evaluating recommendations
• techniques and tools for gathering information relating to incident investigation, including:
• questioning and active listening
• information collection
• accurate note taking
• types and characteristics of WHS incidents and suitable incident response processes.

Foundation skills

• Reading: Reviews and interprets WHS legislative texts relating to WHS incidents Analyses reports and other material to determine required course of action
• Writing: Documents procedures, plans and outcomes using appropriate organisational formats and industry-specific terminology Develops reports using structure, format and language appropriate for report purpose and audience
• Oral communication: Uses appropriate language and non-verbal features to provide support, give instructions or request information Listens closely to extract main ideas and to evaluate initial responses for accuracy and validity
• Numeracy: Extracts and evaluates the numerate and graphical information embedded in sources of incident information and data Performs calculations in relation to resource requirements, timelines and evaluation measures, and the impact and implications of incidents
• Navigate the world of work: Develops, implements or modifies workplace procedures applicable to investigation contexts Keeps up to date on changes to WHS laws relevant to own role and responsibilities, and considers their implications when negotiating, planning and undertaking work
• Interact with others: Identifies and uses appropriate conventions and protocols when communicating with parties involved in various investigation stages Collaborates with others to achieve joint outcomes, playing an active role in facilitating effective group interaction Takes a leadership role in developing team understanding of investigation requirements
• Get the work done: Uses logical planning processes and understanding of context to: identify relevant information and risks identify and evaluate alternative strategies and resources for investigation processes Sequences and schedules complex activities, monitors implementation and manages relevant communication Uses analytical processes to review plans and seeks input and advice from others before taking necessary action Uses digital systems and tools for data collection and analysis, and communication and reporting

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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