TAAENV403A

Ensure a healthy and safe learning environment

Unit Descriptor

Competency Field

Learning Environment

Application of the Unit

This unit provides a focus for occupational health and safety (OHS) in the vocational education and training sector. It covers the legislative and common law duty of care responsibilities of trainers/facilitators, assessors and other parties in the provision of training and/or assessment services.

This is a critical responsibility involving knowledge and skills to assess the learning environment for hazards and risks and to apply risk control strategies to ensure the safety, health and welfare of learners.

This unit also underpins the knowledge and skills required for the achievement of the OHS components of other units in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package, including those for design, delivery and assessment.

The learning environment refers to an environment where learning/assessment takes place to develop skills and knowledge for work through a planned and organised learning process. This may include a workplace where the training and/or assessment organisation trainer/facilitator and/or assessor has no direct control over the learning environment.

This unit is one of four units in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package which support other units in the Training Package. The other supporting units are TAAENV401A Work effectively in vocational education and training, TAAENV402A Foster and promote an inclusive learning culture and TAADES401A Use Training Packages to meet client needs. These units can be grouped together, used separately and/or grouped with other units for teaching/learning and assessment purposes.

The competency specified in this unit is typically required by those involved directly in the provision of training/assessment services in a training and/or assessment organisation (refer to the definition provided in the Range Statement).

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements define the critical outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Italicised terms are elaborated in the Range Statement.

1.   Identify OHS responsibilities

1.1

The purpose and approaches of OHS in the learning environment are defined

1.2

Documentation outlining the OHS legal responsibilities of the various parties in the learning environment is accessed, read and interpreted

1.3

Organisational OHS documentation is identified and accessed

2.   Identify hazards in the learning environment

2.1

Sources of information are researched and accessed to identify hazards common within the industry in which the learning and/or assessment will take place

2.2

The learning environment is inspected prior to use and in consultation with various parties in order to identify hazards

2.3

Any specific OHS needs of learners and/or candidates are identified

2.4

Any potential hazards created by learners and/or candidates with specific needs are identified

2.5

Personal limitations and responsibilities in identifying hazards are recognised and specialist advisers are consulted when appropriate

3.   Assess risks in the learning environment

3.1

The likelihood of injury as a result of exposure to the identified hazard/s is assessed

3.2

The severity of any potential injury, illness or negative/adverse outcome arising from the identified hazard is assessed for risk

3.3

Hazards are prioritised for action in consultation with various parties

3.4

Personal limitations in assessing risks are recognised and specialist advisers are consulted when appropriate

4.   Develop and implement actions to ensure the health safety and welfare of learners and/or candidates

4.1

Risk controls are developed based on the hierarchy of control

4.2

A risk control action plan is identified and accessed or formulated in consultation with various parties

4.3

Actions within the control and responsibility of the trainer/facilitator and/or assessor are implemented

4.4

Outstanding risk control actions are referred to the various parties for implementation

4.5

Supervisory arrangements appropriate to learners and/or candidates levels of knowledge/skill/ experience are monitored to ensure their health and safety

5.   Provide appropriate OHS requirements to learners and/or candidates

5.1

Learners and/or candidates are provided with appropriate information related to OHS

5.2

Learners and/or candidates are assessed for knowledge of OHS requirements

5.3

Learners and/or candidates are supplied with personal protective equipment, if required

5.4

Learners and/or candidates are able to correctly use and maintain this, if required

6.   Monitor OHS arrangements in the learning environment

6.1

Achievement against the risk control action plan is monitored and any issues addressed

6.2

The effectiveness and reliability of existing risk controls are confirmed with relevant parties

6.3

Effective hazard and incident reporting and investigation processes are confirmed on a continuing basis