SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

ASSESSMENT B – SHORT ANSWER

INSTRUCTIONS
 You are to answer all questions.
 Read each question carefully. Ensure you have provided all required information.
 On completion, submit your assessment to your assessor.

SECTION 1: ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH,

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Q1: How can you access and get updated information on the acts, regulations or codes of
practice which apply to you?
I can access and get updated information on the acts, regulations or codes of practice at
model WHS laws New South Wales.
For further information and updates about WHS and the role of Safe Work, go to
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.

New South Wales

 Work Health and Safety Act 2011
 Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011

Q2: You must be able to interpret key legislative documents to ensure that WHS safety
systems comply with Acts, regulations, standards and codes. Explain the differences
between these four documents.
The differences between these four documents, Acts are the laws made by either the State
Parliament or the Federal Parliament, and Regulations mean laws that set out mandatory
requirements under the Acts. In addition, WHS codes of practice provide practical guidance
and advice on how to achieve the standard of health, safety and welfare required by the Act and
its regulations, as well as, WHS Standards means can arise out of commonly adopted
practices in certain industries, agreements between management and workers, or because of
recommendations from advisory bodies

Q3: List the WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice that apply to your state/territory
and workplace. What must you do to comply with them?

 provide a safe work environment

 provide and maintain safe machinery and structures

 provide safe ways of working

 ensure safe use, handling and storage of machinery, structures and substances

 provide and maintain adequate facilities

 provide any information, training, instruction or supervision needed for safety

1© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com

 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

 monitor the health of workers and conditions at the workplace

Act – outlines your broad responsibilities.

Regulations – set out specific requirements for particular hazards and risks, such as noise,
machinery, and manual handling.
Codes of practice – provide practical information on how you can meet the requirements in the
Act and Regulations.
Regulating agency (regulator) – administers WHS laws, inspects workplaces, provides advice
and enforces the laws. Check their website for WHS information and resources.

Act - Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)

Regulation - Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW)

Codes - NSW Codes of Practice

Regulator - SafeWork NSW

Q4: Discuss the ramifications for stakeholders of failure to observe OHS or WHS laws and
codes of practice.
If the stakeholders of failure to observe WHS laws and codes of practice, not only the
worker can be prosecuted and even sent to jail, and also business personnel may also be
fined, prosecuted and imprisoned for failing to comply with health and safety
regulations. In addition, the business, corporation or unincorporated association can
also be penalized with heavy monetary fines

Q5: Briefly evaluate and describe the structure, unique characteristics and operational needs
of your organisation. How is this relevant to the design of your WHS system?

A WHS management system is a legal requirement, and WHS management system is a

system or methodology used by a business to manage the WHS obligations within a
business. It is useful for organising how workplace health and safety is managed and
provides a proactive and systematic approach.
This relevant to the design of the WHS system, including to reduce the number of
workplace injuries and illnesses, to minimize costs associated with workplace accidents
and to improve productivity and financial performance.

Q6: You’re designing a WHS management system for the organisation you described in
question 5. What five elements should you include according to AS/NZS 4804:2001 OHS
Management Systems – General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting
techniques?

2 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

 Commitment and corporate governance

 Planning
 Implementation
 Measurement and evaluation
 Review and improvement

Q7: Every WHS system should ensure that there are practices in place to ensure the
workplace has seven basic characteristics. What are these and how do they apply to the
organisation you described in question 5?

1. Adequate facilities for the welfare of employees

2. Appropriate management of incidents and accidents
3. Notification of incidents and accidents to WHS government regulators
4. Availability of information, instructions, training and supervision that ensures WHS
5. Safe machinery, equipment and materials
6. Safe premises (including the provision of safe entrances and exits)
7. Safe systems of work

Q8: Identify five people or groups you should consult with when designing and eliciting
feedback on the WHS management system.

 Managers and/or supervisors from other departments

 Health and safety representatives (HSRs)
 Health and safety committee (HSC)
 Employees
 Industry specialists

Q9: You’re a senior manager in an organisation that conducts dolphin and whale watching
tours. Staff first aid qualifications are out of date. State the financial, human and specialist
external resources you need to consider when addressing this aspect of WHS
management practices.
 Financial resources
• First aid equipment and training
• Signs and safety posters
• Training (internal and external)

 Human resources
• Qualified HSRs and first aid personnel
• Support staff, such as supervisors and managers with knowledge of safe work
practices

 Specialist external resources

• First aid training organisations
• HSR training organisations
• Organisations that offer training specific to the duties performed by staff

3© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com

SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q10: Define WHS policy.

WHS Acts a general overview of how to make workplaces safe and healthy. They outline
the legal responsibilities and duties for employers and officers. Regulations The
standards need to be met for specific hazards and risks, such as noise, machinery, and
manual handling. As well as, it’s a written statement of intention to keep the workplace
safe and manage WHS responsibilities throughout the organization.

Q11: You must be able to develop comprehensive WHS policies. Write a brief outline of what
information you should include in a WHS policy.

 Risk assessments
 Consultation with employees
 Maintaining plant and equipment
 Safe handling and use of substances
 Information, instruction and supervision
 Responsibility and delegation of authority
 Worker/staff training
 Accidents, first aid and physical and mental ill-health
 Monitoring hazards and risks
 Emergency procedures
 References to accompanying documents (e.g. registers, procedures, work
instructions, training materials)

Q12: You work for a large dance venue. List ten policies and procedures you would implement
as part of your WHS management system.

1. Manual handling procedures for the handling of stock, equipment and machinery
2. Handling/storing dangerous goods, biological waste, sharps, chemicals and
hazardous substance
3. Reporting procedures for first aid, incidents and accidents
4. Security of cash, documents, equipment, keys, people, premises
5. WHS training procedures
6. WHS induction processes
7. Emergency procedures for a bomb threat, suspicious phone calls, emergency
evacuation
8. Procedures to protect staff from customers (dealing with abusive, aggressive
intoxicated or drug-affected customers)
9. Procedures to protect staff from other staff (bullying, safe work environment)
10. Procedures to protect customers (premises security, food handling, cleaning)

4 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q13: State two places you can put policies and procedures to ensure they’re accessible to staff.

It could be Version-cont rolled registers, (such as, Reception and operation manager’s
office, etc.) and Intranet (Staff can access and read policies and procedures on the
Intranet.)

Q14: According to the WHS Act, whose responsibility is it to provide a safe workplace?
The WHS Act states ‘a person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU), formerly
referred to as the ‘employer’.
Employers have a duty of care to ensure no one is injured at work or negatively affected
by workplace activities.

Q15: Employers have a duty of care to make sure no one is injured while at work or affected by
the activities of the workplace. List four things a manager must do to comply with their
duty of care.

 Provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.

 Provide and maintain safe plant and work systems.
 Ensure that the use, handling and storage and transport of plant and substances are
safe and without risk to health.
 Provide facilities for the welfare of employees.

Q16: List four of the employer’s legal obligations.

 Maintain the health of their employees.
 Monitor conditions in the workplace.
 Maintain health and safety records of employees at the workplace.
 Engage persons suitably qualified in WHS to provide appropriate advice.

5© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com

SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q17: Identify four responsibilities of employees.

 Take responsibility and participate in WHS safety practices.
 Follow WHS instructions, signs and procedures.
 Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing that is issued to them.
 Inform the employer about the hazards and injuries.

Q18: How should you document employee WHS responsibilities?

I can allocate specific health, safety and security responsibilities within staff job
descriptions and duty statements; it helps specifically define what staff must do to
comply with WHS legislation and workplace procedures

Q19: State the WHS responsibilities which have been allocated to you as a senior manager as
defined in your job description.

As a senior manager, I not only need to undertake regular workplace inspections,

regularly monitor work practices and identify any WHS training needs, but also need to
identify hazards, assess and control risks in compliance with WHS legislation and
established procedures, establish and maintain consultative arrangements regarding
health, safety and security matters, and Maintain up-to-date WHS training and
consultation records.

Q20: Outline the steps you would take to develop and implement a WHS training plan.

Step 1: Identify training needs

Step 2: Identify the ‘gap’
Step 3: Confirm the reasons for the gap
Step 4: Close the gap
Step 5: Monitor the effectiveness of training
Step 6: Report progress
Step 7: Follow up

Q21: List three ways you can identify training needs.

 Discussion with trainee - Motivated staff often directly request WHS and other
training
 Discussion with their colleagues - Colleagues naturally notice each other’s skill and
knowledge gaps
 Discussion with key personnel - Consult with key supervisory and management
personnel to identify and discuss any knowledge and skills gaps.


6 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q22: The WHS Act requires employers to give employees the training they need to perform
their work safely and without risk to their health. State the training you’re required to
provide by law.

The WHS Act requires employers to give employees the training they need to perform
their work safely and without risk to their health. I need requiring to provide by law,
training for staff who are safety committee representatives or who have safety
responsibilities, for example, evacuation officers, wardens, staff designated to provide
first aid and Formal training programs in safe work practices, etc.

Q23: What is a senior manager’s responsibility regarding training?

I have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have adequate WHS skills and
knowledge. Providing access to relevant training ensures that they meet this
responsibility.
Such as,
 Be sure to plan training in consultation with key personnel (employees, supervisors,
HSC, regulatory authorities, etc.).
 Include a detailed plan for all WHS training requirements in your WHS management
system. This ensures that you consider all aspects of safety training and provide it
to the right staff at the right time.
 Include details on who will receive the training, when/where it will take place, which
will deliver it and assess the outcomes.

Q24: List ten records you need to monitor and maintain as part of your established WHS record
keeping system.

1. Consultation records and diaries of meetings

2. Agendas for and minutes of meetings
3. Reports on the effectiveness of meetings and HSC members
4. Reports on the effectiveness of consultation decisions, processes and follow-
up actions
5. Hazard identification records
6. Incident and accident notifications to WHS regulatory authorities
7. Incident, accident and near miss reports and their related statistics
8. Policies and procedures
9. Risk assessments
10. Risk control actions

Q25: Describe how you should store WHS records and reports.
I should store accurate filing of records and reports that ensure they’re accessible for
future reference; also need to secure storage protects the information the documents
contain, where possible, store confidential records in locked filing cabinets or cabinets
with locked doors.

7© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com

SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q26: Identify the WHS information you need to communicate to staff.

I have a responsibility to establish and maintain systems to ensure communication of
WHS information to all personnel.
Such as,
 Consultative arrangements for WHS,
 Emergency evacuation plan,
 Employee roles and responsibilities in WHS management practices,
 Legal obligations, etc.

Q27: Describe some strategies you can use to ensure you communicate WHS information to
personnel in a systemic way.
I can use to ensure communication with WHS information to personnel in a systematic
way.
Such as,
 Make safety a regular item on meeting agendas. Outline the WHS information or
change in team briefings or meetings conducted by each of the department
managers.
 Communicate WHS information and changes to staff immediately, use Intranet or
email to communicate WHS information and changes to all employees,
 and list all employee names, remember to communicate to volunteers, trainees,
casuals, part-time employees and employees on maternity leave, long service leave,
personal leave, annual leave, etc.

8 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

SECTION 2: ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY
Q28: What is consultation?
A consultative process for WHS includes the views of employees and incorporates their
ideas before making decisions. The whole process is based on the principle that
although management has the overall responsibility and authority to make decisions,
staffs have the right to have their say about those decisions.

Q29: List five benefits of ongoing consultation with a range of personnel to elicit feedback on
WHS policies, procedures and practices.
 Staffs are more likely to accept changes and implement safe systems of work if
they’re involved in decision-making processes.
 Consultation utilizes the consolidated skills, experience and knowledge of staff to
gather information and assist in making decisions.
 Consultation can assist in the identification of safety risks or concerns.
 Consultation encourages open and active communication about health, safety and
security in the workplace.
 Consultation can assist in identifying training needs and safe systems of work.

Q30: List six consultative processes you could use in your workplace.

1. Due to the number of staff coming and going from our department, I have a
whiteboard and suggestions box where staff can log WHS concerns.

2. We have a staff handbook which includes WHS information as well as fact sheets to
inform personnel about WHS rights and responsibilities.

3. I’m always consulting with staff through WHS meetings and discussions: both
formal meetings with agendas, minutes and action plans and informal ones where
we take notes.

4. I involve personnel in conducting a hazard identification and risk assessment. Then,

I get them to participate in making decisions on how to eliminate or control risks.

5. I have WHS discussions with employees during the course of each day. If I need to
follow a matter up, I make notes in my diary and raise it with the formal WHS rep at
the next management meeting.

6. We organize special staff meetings or workshops to specifically address WHS

issues.

9© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com

SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q31: What communication skills can you encourage staff to develop to get their ongoing
feedback on WHS policies, procedures and practices?
I encourage the use of a questionnaire, ask questions, participate in the discussion,
suggest an improvement, take an active role in problem-solving and decision-making
processes, and openly discuss safety concerns to my staff, to get their ongoing
feedback and consultation about WHS policies, procedures and practices.

Q32: The WHS Act requires every workplace to take a systematic approach to WHS
consultation and defines situations when consultation should take place. List the six situations.

Situation 1
When making initial and ongoing decisions on how best to consult with personnel
Situation 2
When proposing to make changes to the premises, equipment, materials and systems of
work
Situation 3
When conducting or reviewing hazard identification and risk assessments
Situation 4
When making decisions about actions to eliminate or control risks
Situation 5
When introducing or altering procedures for monitoring workplace risks
Situation 6
When introducing or altering facilities for the welfare of the personnel

Q33: What is an HSC?

A health and safety committee (HSC) is made up of staff and management
representatives from various areas in an establishment. The HSC can help resolve WHS
issues raised through consultation.

Q34: List four responsibilities of a workplace HSC.

1. Provides a forum for management and staff to work together on health and safety
initiatives.
2. Deals with the establishment’s safety issues.
3. Helps to develop and evaluate policies, procedures and work practices.
4. Brings WHS matters to the attention of the employer.

Q35: List four reasons why it is important to investigate and respond promptly to WHS issues
that are brought to your attention.

10 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

1. Its part of your responsibility for maintaining good working relationships with staff.
2. Prompt action indicates the importance you place on health, safety and security.
3. Failure to address an issue could result in an accident and/or injury.
4. Should the matter involve legal proceedings, you could be deemed negligent if you
failed to respond appropriately.

Q36: A staff member has told you that one of the delivery trolleys has a wobbly wheel that
appears ready to fall off. Describe what you would do.
The course of action determined
I'm not only put in a maintenance department request straight away but also incident
reported to the supervisor. In the meantime, I would tell the staff member to put up a
caution sign on delivery trolleys.

Q37: In relation to your response to question 36, what information would you communicate to
employees and how?

Ongoing consultation and communication are essential, as is providing all staff with
accessible information on the outcomes of any issues raised during consultative
processes.

I will communicate to employees, reinforces to staff how commitment to maintaining

delivery trolleys security and information. Allows gaining feedback on staff satisfaction
with the action taken, and encourages and recognises staff for their efforts and initiative
in raising health, safety and security issues.

11
© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com
SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

SECTION 3: ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN PRACTICES FOR IDENTIFYING

HAZARDS, AND ASSESSING AND CONTROLLING RISKS
Q38: Describe how you get hold of hazard identification and risk assessment template
documents that incorporate assessment criteria for assessing risks?
P.45
I must have clear procedures and the appropriate template documents, and consult
assessment criteria outlined in Australian standards.
Self-design own tools, develop own templates and determine own assessment criteria as
part of a WHS management system.
Access hazard identification and risk assessment documents developed by external
consultancy services and developed for public use by business management
publications and WHS government regulators.

Q39: What are the four components of risk management?

1. Risk Avoidance
2. Mitigation or Prevention
3. Risk Transfer
4. Risk Retention

Q40: When are you legally required to conduct a hazard inspection?

Make hazard inspections a planned, regular event to ensure that hazards are identified at
times designated by legislation. Plan to ensure hazards are systematically pinpointed
from the outset, rather than waiting until already introduced new systems, equipment,
etc.
This includes: before and during the installation or alteration of any plant and before
introduce changes to work practices.

Q41: List four types of hazards designated legislation states to watch out for and give an
example for each one.
Security issues
These hazards are not designated by legislation, but you should be aware of them.
• Storage of cash, documents and keys
• Theft and robbery

Chemical hazards
These hazards are designated by legislation.
• Chemicals can exist as vapours, gases, mists, dust, fumes, liquids and smoke
• Exposure can occur through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion

Biological hazards
These hazards are designated by legislation.
• Moulds and fungi
• Bacteria and viruses, such as food-poisoning bacteria, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS

Psychosocial hazards
Some of these hazards are designated by legislation.
• Bullying and harassment
• Customer aggression

12 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q42: Identify two procedures you could use to identify hazards on an ongoing basis.
The best way to identify hazards is to actively look for them in a systematic way.
Such as,
Are staff following recommended safety and security procedures?
Are staff taking shortcuts?

Q43: What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a thorough look at your workplace to identify those things,

situations, processes, etc. that may cause harm, particularly to people. After
identification is made, you analyse and evaluate how likely and severe the risk is. When
this determination is made, you can next, decide what measures should be in place to
effectively eliminate or control the harm from happening.

Q44: Explain how to use a risk priority chart for risk assessment.
If I have identified a lot of hazards to assess, a risk priority chart uses a ranking scale to
help assess which hazards pose the greatest risk to health and safety, so it can prioritize
control measures. Also, I could follow three steps:
Step 1: Determine the likelihood of exposure to the hazard
Step 2: Determine the severity of the potential injury
Step 3: Determine hazard’s overall risk priority level

Q45: What is risk control?

Risk control not only is the process used to identify all practical measures for eliminating
or reducing the likelihood of injury, illness or disease in the workplace but also it is a
technique that utilizes findings from risk assessments, which involve identifying
potential risk factors in a company's operations.

Q46: State the control element from the hierarchy of control used in each situation.
 A generator on the premises used for blackouts is extremely noisy so you
decide to enclose it.
 Eliminate: Eliminate the hazard: repair or dispose of the item causing the
hazard.

 A chemical cleaner is causing a staff member to become nauseous, so you

decide to use a less toxic, non-allergenic substance.
 Substitute: Substitute the hazard with something that poses less risk.

 A very tall staff member is getting back and neck aches due to their low desk
so you redesign their workstation.
 Engineering: Engineering Change or design the layout to make it safer for
people.

 Customers often break glassware in your nightclub, so you decide to use

plastic instead.

13
© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com
SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

 Isolate: Isolate the hazard from people.

Q47: To properly implement existing risk control measures, you need to develop written
procedures which nominate the roles and responsibilities of personnel. List the four main
procedures to develop in this area of your WHS management system.
The four main procedures to develop in this area of WHS management system including:
1. Act as a reference point for all employees involved
2. Clearly define what’s expected of staff
3. Make staff accountable for safety in their own work area
4. Demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation in case of audit or investigation by
the WHS authority.
In addition, the procedures should including four information, it should be Hazard
identification, Risk assessment, Risk Control, and Monitoring of controls.

Q48: State five ways you can take a lead role in assessing and controlling risks in your
workplace.

 Make safety an integral component of daily work practices.

 Consult regularly with staff about changes you implement to improve the safety of
work processes and the work area.
 Make staff aware of risk controls and ensure that they abide by them.
 Allow staff sufficient time to complete safety checks and carry out the required
paperwork.
 Provide staff with adequate training or coaching.

Q49: A staff member has reported that the new pâtisserie chef has been using milk crates,
standing on tiptoes and stretching up to reach ingredients on the top shelf which is too
high for them to easily reach. Your organisation doesn’t have a stepladder and you’ll need
to complete paperwork to requisition one. What would you do?
To this situation, I do not only need to personally implement interim or emergency
solutions but also need to consult with staff about the interim or emergency solutions
put into place. Ensure that they abide by risk control measures to avoid an incident or
accident occurring.

Q50: A staff member has slipped, fallen, split their head on a piece of equipment and is lying
unconscious on the floor. Describe the steps you would take to respond to this incident
from beginning to end.
Be decisive.
Respond quickly to problems when they arise.
Attend to any injuries and arrange for medical assistance or an ambulance if required.
Make sure the area is safe for customers and staff to resume normal operations.

Step1
Emergency Call Triple Zero (000) and notify department manager
Step 2

14 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

The person should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger, and Remain with
the injured person until assistance arrives.
Step 3
I’m not only to protect the injured person from any potential dangers at the scene, but
also I should monitor staff member airway and breathing until the arrival of an
ambulance. Such as if the person’s breathing becomes impaired due to a problem with
their airway, you may need to very carefully tilt their head back (and support it) until
normal breathing returns. If the person stops breathing or has no pulse,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.
Step 4
Make sure the area is safe for customers and staff to resume normal operations.
Mop up the spill or apply absorbent and sweep it up after the liquid is soaked up. Use a
squeegee, wet-dry vacuum, clean and dry mop, or towels to dry the area. Leave the wet
floor signs in place until the area is completely dry.
Step 5
Ambulance attends to assess and treat the injured person
Ambulance transfers the injured person to the hospital for further treatment or to a
medical centre as required.
Step 6
Complete Accident/ Illness/ Injury Register and Incident/Accident/Near Miss Report

Q51: Under what conditions must you report accidents and incidents to the regulatory authority
in your state/territory?

In some states and territories, all accidents that result in an injury (no matter how minor)
must be reported to the WHS regulatory authority.

15
© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com
SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

SECTION 4: EVALUATE ORGANISATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND

SECURITY SYSTEM
Q52: List three ways you can ensure ongoing compliance with OHS or WHS legislation and
regulatory requirements, standards and codes.
New South Wales
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
Register
Each department manager has a register that they’re responsible for maintaining.

Changes or recommendations
The manager records any changes or recommendations which impact on operations.

Communication information
The manager includes information on how these changes or recommendations will be
communicated to staff.

Q53: Explain how to evaluate, assess the effectiveness of and review your risk management
system.
Review any hazard reports, incidents, accidents, near misses, WHS reports and statistics
held by the establishment.
The effective management system is:
• Identifying hazards
• Reducing and controlling risks
• Reducing workplace accidents and incidents
• Reporting near misses and taking action before an incident occurs.

Q54: State the steps you would take to improve systems following your assessment.
Step 1: Identify the opportunity for improvement.
Step 2: Discuss improvement ideas with key personnel (other managers, HSC and/or
staff).
Step 3: Develop and agree upon proposed changes.
Step 4: Document new policy/procedure/system of work or make amendments to existing
policy/procedure/system of work.
Step 5: Communicate changes to the WHS system to all staff so they can implement
them.

Q55: What is the purpose of consulting with staff and reviewing WHS reports and statistics?

The purpose of consulting with staff, and reviewing WHS reports and statistics, is to see
which areas of your WHS management system are working well, and to enable you to
identify any opportunities for improvement.

16 2016 Edition
 SITXWHS004 ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM – Short answer

Q56: What method of communication do you use/plan to use to advise staff of changes to your
establishment’s WHS system? Why do you think this is the best method to use for your
workplace?
The communication methods I can use to make sure all staff get WHS information in a
way that suits them and the company
Such as,
• Issue a written notice to employees with their payslip.
• Post an update on each department notice board.
• Use Intranet or email to communicate changes to all employees.

I think this is the best method to use for the workplace, because it can get every
employee to sign an acknowledgement that they’ve received, read and understood the
change.

Q57: How do you ensure the safe use of the following.

1. Machinery and Safe use of machinery, equipment and tools
equipment Protect yourself and employees
Run a maintenance programme.
Check if personal protective exemptions apply.
Ensure employees are operation computers safely.
2. The work Conduct background checks on potential employees to check for red
environment flags that could threaten the safety of other employees. Inspect the
physical space of the workplace to identify dangers. Ensure that all
lighting and safety equipment remain in good working order. Make
necessary repairs to the facilities immediately.
3. Entrances and exits According Section 20(2) of the WHS Act 2011- The person with
management or control of a workplace must ensure, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that the workplace, the means of entering and
exiting the workplace and anything arising from the workplace are
without risks to the health and safety of any person.
4. Work systems Safe systems of work are developed by taking into account the people,
substances and equipment involved in undertaking a task, identifying
all foreseeable hazards and assessing the risks, and then seeking to
minimise or eliminate these risks by providing a formal framework for
workers to follow.
5. Entire premises Safe design is integrating hazard identification and risk assessment
methods early in the design process, to eliminate or minimise risks of
injury throughout the life of a product. This applies to buildings,
structures, equipment and vehicles

17
© Didasko Digital 2016 www.didasko.com