BSBWHS401: Assessment on Implementing WHS Policies and Procedures

This document provides a comprehensive solution to the BSBWHS401 assessment, focusing on implementing and monitoring Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) policies, procedures, and programs to meet legislative requirements. The assessment includes two parts: answering questions related to ...Read More

BSBWHS401:
Implement and monitor WHS
policies, procedures and programs to
meet legislative requirements
Participant Assessment

Instructions
This assessment has two parts and you must complete all parts and upload them on the
MyUpskilled site for grading.
Download this document and save it to your local computer so you can answer the
questions and complete the activities. Ensure you know where you have stored it as you
will need to upload the completed form.
Learning Activities
These activities are located on the Learning Management System – MyUpskilled. These must
be completed before attempting the assessment.
 Reading – Work Health and Safety
 Simulation – TTF – WHS Manager
Need Help with your Assessment?
Post your query to your fellow participants in the Discussion Forum. Use this forum to post
any question about any part of the assessment. Alternatively, post your query to the
Facebook Study Group for your course.
Perhaps, you need help answering a particular question or sourcing the information from
the resources.
Perhaps, you need some informal feedback on your assessment before you submit it. You
can upload your assessment and ask your trainer for a constructive and supportive review.
Perhaps, you can even help another participant and answer their questions.
Sharing information is the key to success; remember the only silly question is the one that
remains unasked!!!

PART ONE
Assignment Questions
Question 1: The responsibilities for workplace health and safety are written in
legislation (Law) throughout all of Australia. What is the name of the current
WHS/OHS Act in your state or Territory?
The name of the current WHS/OHS Act in my state is Work Health and Safety Act 2011
(NSW).
Question 2: What is the name of the Model WHS act that all States and Territories
have agreed to “harmonise” with?
The name of the Model WHS act that all States and Territories have agreed to hamonise
with is National Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
Question3: What is the URL (website address) for your state or territory government
authority for Workplace Health and Safety?
The required URL is as follows.
http://workplaceohs.com.au/legislation/nsw-legislation
Question 4: In the Model WHS Act, introduced in January 2012, the previous term of
“Employee” was replaced by the term “Worker”. Who is a considered to be a “Worker”
under the Model WHS Act 2012?
Under the Model WHS Act 2012, a person is considered to be a “Worker” if he
undertakes certain amount of work for a particular business or undertaking as an
employee, contractor, apprentice, volunteer or even a student.
Question 5: In regard to WHS, what do the following terms mean?
a. Hazard
b. Risk
In regard to WHS, a hazard is an event that can cause significant damage and is generally
caused by some external agents like chemicals, electricity, nature (storm, excessive
rainfall, etc.), some person and others.

Risk is mainly referred to as the chance of occurrence of a hazard during a particular
work or project. However, risk is a very broad category and also includes some negative
impacts in addition to hazards.
Question 6: Describe your organisation's policies and procedures relating to;
c. hazard management,
d. fire, emergency evacuation,
e. incident/accident reporting,
The organization’s policies and procedures relating to the given points are as follows.
Hazard Management – During occurrence of any hazard, it is to be identified if the
hazard is threatening human lives or not. If the hazard is life threatening, immediate
evacuation should be done along with suitable support equipments. For example, if
there is a chemical hazard, the workers must evacuate the site wearing gas masks to
even intoxication due to chemical gases.
Fire / Emergency Evacuation – There is an emergency exit at the backside of the building
that is connected to all the floors. In case of fire or emergency, the emergency exit
should be used for the evacuation process.
Incident / Accident Reporting – There are emergency telephones installed in all floors of
the building that can be used for incident and accident reporting. Also there are manual
alarms that can be activated for reporting any accident.
Question 7: List two strategies that you could adopt to ensure all workers are involved
in safety consultation?
The two strategies that can be adopted are as follows.
 Train the workers regarding safety measures and evacuations in cases of accidents and hazards.
 Provide booklets regarding the details of the main hazards and how can they take active
measures to control the hazards or evacuate the building if the hazard is beyond control.
Question 8: If safety concerns were raised during consultation workers with what
would you be expected to do?
It is expected that consultation workers are already aware about the safety standards
and measures that must be followed in the workplace. However, if they are not

sufficiently aware, a one or two days training session can be conducted in which, they
will be made aware of the possible safety concerns and mitigation measures. They can
also be provided with guideline booklet containing all relevant information related to
WHS standards and guidelines.
Question 9: Explain why it is important to provide information to work groups on the
relevant WHS legislation, the organisation’s WHS policies, procedures and programs,
and any identified hazards and their control?
a. What is one benefit for the new employee of this practice?
b. What is one benefit of this practice for the employer?
c. What is a typical probationary period for a new employee?
d. How often should feedback be provided to the new employee during the
probationary period?
a. The benefit for the new employee of this practice is that the employee learns about
the relevant WHS legislation, the organisation’s WHS policies, procedures and programs
that will not only help him to survive during hazards but will also help in his future
professional career.
b. The benefit for the employer is that his employees become capable of maintaining a
safe and healthy workplace and thus, external WHS managers are not required to be
hired.
c. A typical probationary period for a new employee is no more than six months and
mostly, it is three months.
d. Weekly feedbacks should be provided to the new employee during the probationary
period.
Question 10: Describe how WHS records of incidents can be used to identify
potential future hazards and monitor risk control procedures?
It is a general perception that one hazard brings another future hazard. For instance, let
there be a major fire breakout in the building. Although the hazard is controlled after
some time, it will do some damages in the building infrastructure and hence, after
certain period of time, the building may collapse due to the damages. Hence, WHS
records of incidents are required to determine whether there have been some
additional damages that can in turn result in future hazards. Accordingly, suitable risk
control procedures can be undertaken.

Question 11: What are some hazards that exist in your workplace?
Some hazards that exist in my workplace are as follows.
 Some wires and chords running over the floor
 Electrical hazards
 Unguarded machineries
Question 12: List 2 methods of identifying hazards in the workplace
Two methods of identifying hazards in the workplace are as follows.
Knowledge and Reporting: The workers should be provided with clear idea of the
possible hazards that may exist in the workplace. Knowing this, they will be able to
identify the hazards easily and will be able to report to the authority accordingly.
Monitor and Reporting: The organization can recruit hazard management personnel
who will monitor the workplace condition and identify the hazards. Accordingly, suitable
actions can be taken by the organization.
Question 13: In relation to WHS, what does the term “Hierarchy of Control” mean?
Hierarchy of control is referred to a standard system used in the organizations to
manage and control hazards related to WHS. This term is mainly depicted in the form of
an inverted triangle that is divided into the different categories of hazard control. As the
categories go up from the lowest point to the upper part of the triangle, the severity of
the hazard also increases considerably.
Question 14: After conducting a Risk Assessment and implementing risk control
measures, how could you ensure your control measures were adequate?
After conducting risk assessment and implementing risk control measures, it is also
important to monitor the situation for a certain period of time. Within this period, if the
risk does not reappear, it can be ensured that the control measures were adequate.

Question 15: You have purchased new plant and equipment at your work. At this
time there are no workers that are competent in the safe and effective use of the new
equipment. What actions would you take?
Some external and skilled workers can be temporarily hired who will train the existing
workers regarding safe and effective use of the new equipment. Additionally, they can
operate the new equipment until the current employees are competent enough in safe
and effective use of the new equipment.
Question 16: You have issued all workers in your team with essential Personal
Protective equipment (PPE), but you have noticed recently that a number of the
workers are not using their PPE.
a. What, if anything, can you do about this?
b. Does that WHS Act provide you with any back up for your actions?
a. A meeting can be called where all the workers need to participate. In this meeting, the
benefits of using essential personal protective equipment in the workplace will be
discussed. After this period, if some workers still continue to not use their PPE, they can
be severely penalized or even not allowed to work unless they use their PPE.
b. The WHS Act strongly recommends the use of essential Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and also states that the organization is liable to take severe actions
against the workers if they fail to comply with the act standards and guidelines.

PART TWO
Assignment Activities
Activity 1: Provide information to the workgroup
Develop a slideshow presentation that you can present to members of your work team that
addresses the following elements (3 – 5 slides max)
a. The existence of the relevant OHS/WHS legislation for your State/Territory
b. The duties, under the Act of the person conducting a business or undertaking
(PCBU)
Upload Slides when completed
Activity 2: Hazard Report
Identify a hazard in your workplace and complete a hazard report form – use your
company’s own hazard report form, if your company does not have one please use the form
provided, Appendix A
Upload file when completed
Activity 3
Instructions
Read the scenario below, and provide a detailed response to how you may handle or resolve
the situation within the scenario based on your knowledge and skills. Note: the information
sheet in the Participant Resources section (Appendix B) may be of assistance with this
activity because it gives some examples for the application of using the hierarchy of control
in the workplace.
Using the hierarchy of control form (below) develop plans to deal with the following
hazards:
1. Climbing a ladder to change a light bulb located in a wall fixture 4 meters from
the floor
2. Preparing a metal cleansing solution using caustic chemical ingredients
3. Stacking shelves with products requiring repetitive lifting and bending
4. Storing turpentine and other flammable solvents in a shed

Hazard Description Control strategy
Ladder Scenario Use engineering controls: Use of suitable equipments so that
the worker can climb a strong ladder and easily replace the
faulty light bulb.
Chemical Scenario Isolate the hazard: The chemical preparation should be done
in a separate and isolated laboratory room. Furthermore, the
responsible worker should also wear PPE to prevent the
chemical touching his skin.
Lifting Scenario Use engineering controls: Used automated robot arms to
conduct the product arrangement and placement process.
Storing flammables
Scenario
Isolate the hazard: The inflammable chemicals should be kept
in the shed and the shed should be isolated from the rest of
the building.

Appendix A
Identify a hazard in your workplace and complete a hazard report form – use your company’s
own hazard report form, if your company does not have one please use the form below:
HAZARD REPORT
Workplace Location: Sydney Job / Project: Date:
Submitted By: Signature
Submitted to: Signature
The following hazard has been identified in relation to your work:
In some of the rooms, there are cables running over the floor and there have been several
incidents of people tripping over the cables and getting injured.
Risk Level:
(circle )
Extreme High Medium Low
To be completed by Supervisor:
Action Required:
By Whom:
When (circle ) Immediate Within 24 hours Within 7 days
Corrective Action Completed By:
Date: Signature:

Worker Advised: Signature:
Appendix B
Hierarchy of control measures
The hierarchy of control is a sequence of options which offer you a number of ways to
approach the hazard control process.
Here is a list, with typical examples.
Work your way down the hierarchy of control list, and implement the best measure possible
for your situation.
Remember you need to go through the steps in order; PPE should not be your first solution
– this should be a last resort!!
Eliminate the hazard
E.g.
• remove hazardous electrical plant from the workplace
• cease in-house operations of hazardous work
If this is not practical, then:
Substitute the hazard with a lesser risk
E.g.
• use low voltage electrical plant
• substitute movable electrical plant for fixed
If this is not practical, then:
Isolate the hazard
E.g.
• place hazardous electrical plant in enclosures with restricted access
• place out-of-service tags on plant
If this is not practical, then:
Use engineering controls
E.g.
• use RCDs (safety switches) to protect socket outlets which supply electrical plant
If this is not practical, then:
Use administrative controls
E.g.
• perform regular inspection and tests on electrical plant and electrical installations
• implement safe work practices, instruction and training
If this is not practical, then:
Use personal protective equipment (PPE)