AHCARB409 — Conduct a safety audit

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• There must be evidence that the individual has conducted, recorded and reported three separate safety audits, including completion of the following for each audit:
• prepared for audit, including:
• identified safety audit objectives, scope and focus
• reviewed legislation, standards, codes of practice, manufacturer instructions and industry guidance required for audit
• identified target operations and documentation required for audit
• determined the audit process and sampling technique
• determined the frequency and scheduling of audit events
• prepared audit documentation for recording audit
• communicated audit requirements with client and relevant stakeholders
• assessed, analysed and documented site safety and implemented control measures
• conducted site audits according to planned schedule against workplace and industry safety standards for the following:
• testing and use of personal protective equipment
• testing and inspection of tools and equipment for safety defects
• inspection of height safety equipment for condition and suitability for intended use
• inspection and operation of emergency and rescue equipment
• maintenance of workplace safety documentation
• confirmed currency of licencing requirements for specialised equipment
• identified and recorded non-conformances and issued notices for breaches in safety policies, procedures and standards
• presented auditing outcomes and recommendations and sought approvals, including:
• recommended alternative equipment configurations and practices
• removed from service and tagged unsafe tools and equipment
• recommended training to improve safety
• maintained inspection records and equipment data.

Knowledge evidence

• preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) relating to safe arboriculture work
• process and procedures of developing and conducting safety audits, including:
• developing safety audit objectives
• understanding and developing safety audit scope and focus
• specifying the operational targets for audit
• audit sampling technique
• scheduling the frequency and timing of audit events
• developing audit documentation and checklists
• communication strategies for informing key stakeholders of audit, and their purpose, including toolbox talks
• testing and observation of safety procedures and practices, including:
• work function and operational safety
• use and condition of personal protective equipment
• testing and observation of tools and equipment use on site, including:
• defective components
• correct safe operation
• pre-start checks and shutdown procedures
• use and maintenance of safety guards
• restriction on equipment use
• tagging tools and equipment
• repair information and log books
• application of Australian Standard AS1891 when testing fall arrest equipment
• testing and checking operation and availability of emergency resources, including:
• rescue equipment kit
• first aid kit
• emergency response procedures
• testing and checking procedures used for:
• arborist height safety equipment
• rigging and climbing ropes
• manufacturer guidelines, industry standards and applicable regulations to determine suitable configurations and use of arborist height safety equipment
• purpose and use of safety documentation, including:
• injury, accident and incident reports
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS)
• equipment tags and repairs log books
• availability of chemical and material safety data sheets
• audit requirements and safety procedures requiring certifications
• procedures for assessing work performance and activities against safety policies, procedures and industry standards
• managing non-conformance to safety standards, including:
• non-conformance notices
• professional development
• changes to policies and procedures
• recommendations for rectification of non-conformance
• safety audit reporting procedures and documentation.

Foundation skills

• Reading: Identify and interpret critical information in documentation used for workplace compliance, including manufacturer instructions, workplace policies and procedures for equipment, and industry standards
• Writing: Accurately and clearly report outcomes of safety audits using industry terminology

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 AHCARB409