SITXWHS006 — Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• use organisational work health and safety (WHS) plan to identify each of the following types of actual or foreseeable workplace hazards: physical environment, plant, work practice, security issue
• assess the safety risk associated with each of the above hazards, using appropriate risk assessment tools and template documents
• take measures to eliminate or control the risks identified for each of the above hazards in line with organisational procedures.

Knowledge evidence

• basic aspects of the relevant state or territory work health and safety (WHS) legislation, specifically requirements for: when, where and how hazards must be identified; when, where and how risk assessments must be conducted; consultation in the hazard identification and risk assessment process; WHS committees or WHS representatives as mechanisms for consultation; record keeping
• group risk assessment mechanisms commonly used
• format and use of appropriate hazard identification and risk assessment templates
• four-stage risk management process model recommended and published by state and territory WHS authorities
• systematic method to assess risk: identifying the injury or illness or consequences that could result from the hazard; determining the exposure to the hazard; estimating the probability that an incident or injury will occur; determining an overall risk level for the identified hazard
• common methods applied to controlling risks: substituting a system of work or equipment with something safe; isolating the hazard; introducing engineering controls; adopting administrative controls; using personal protective equipment; implementing combined control methods to minimise risk; referring to a higher level staff member for decision on implementing controls
• people involved in the assessment of risk: contractors, managers, WHS committee members, WHS representatives, staff, supervisors, suppliers
• five-step hierarchical process model for hazard control recommended and published by state and territory WHS authorities
• appropriate methods to identify hazards: conducting site safety audits; completing safety checklists; inspecting workplace; investigating accidents and incidents; reviewing injury or illness registers; monitoring workplace environment; investigation of staff complaints or reports of safety concerns; review of staff feedback via consultative processes.

Foundation skills

• Reading skills: interpret hazard identification and risk assessment template documents and organisational policies and procedures.
• Oral communication skills: assertively suggest control methods during risk assessments.
• Numeracy skills: score the risks and estimated an overall risk level for the identified hazard.
• Teamwork skills: actively and cooperatively participate in group risk assessments.

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.

Questions about assessing SITXWHS006