BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety

OHS is Union Business - Mainstreaming
Historically unions have been involved with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues and have played a very significant role in protecting the rights of working people, to bring about change, including the introduction of OHS and worker’s compensation laws.

Union influence is essential to workplace safety and the belief held by some that OHS should be separated from industrial relations is factually flawed. For example an issue like staffing levels, work organization, use of contractors, introduction of precarious employment, etc. have health and safety implications such as job security, occupational stress, discrimination, etc.

Working conditions are core issues for the majority of workers. Safe jobs and a healthy working environment meet the basic needs and rights of workers. A national poll conducted by the ACTU in 2008 shows that:

• 80% of workers wanted more to be done to reduce workplace illness and injury
• 81% want to be able to call in a union to help with OHS issues at their workplace.

What are the benefits to those Unions who have Organiser/Officials trained in OHS?

• In the majority of jurisdictions Organisers have the right of entry to workplaces to investigate a suspected breach of OHS laws, this includes workplaces where there are currently no union members but where the Union would normally have coverage. A qualification in OHS will facilitate the Organiser obtaining the permit and increase their confidence to deal with the issues;
• Organisers have an improved chance of successfully dealing with the issues if they are armed with knowledge specific to health and safety risk management systems and the principles and objectives of our legislation;
• Health and safety can be a critical issue in a campaign. If you don’t have the capacity to use it when it’s needed, it will be too late;
• Using health and safety increases our likelihood of winning a campaign. It is an excellent mobilizing issue;
• Health and safety can be an important point of leverage in public and corporate campaigns, eg. James Hardie and Bernie Banton (compensation for exposure to asbestos campaign)

Who is it for?
This course is for union trainers who deliver OHS training, union officials and organisers involved in OHS issues and safety reps who wish to gain a formal qualification and increase their knowledge and involvement in OHS application and policy-making in Australian workplaces.

This course is aimed at those currently working in the Australian union movement: Union Representatives; Officials; Organisers and health and safety representatives or trainers wishing to increase their knowledge and involvement in OHS application and policy-making in Australian workplaces.

Aims

• To give participants an understanding of a proactive and preventative approach to occupational health and safety.
• To build health and safety knowledge and experience of employees, health and safety representatives, health and safety officers, other health and safety practitioners and health and safety trainers.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the union approach to occupational health and safety;
• Explore the link between organising and OHS structures and issues in the workplace;
• Familiarize themselves with OHS laws and the rights they contain;
• Understand what is involved in hazard identification and the effective control of the hazards;
• Critically examine the concept of risk assessment and management systems;
• Explore the role unions can play in OHS consultative process.

Accredited
Yes. Aligns with BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety.

Course content
BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety requires completion of nine units of competency.

• BSBOHS401B Contribute to the implementation of a systematic approach to managing OHS
• BSBOHS402B Contribute to the implementation of the OHS consultation process
• BSBOHS403B Identify hazards and assess OHS risks
• BSBOHS404B Contribute to the implementation of strategies to control OHS risk
• BSBOHS406C Use equipment to conduct workplace monitoring
• BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
• BSBOHS408A Assist with compliance with OHS and other relevant laws
• BSBWRK401A Develop and implement an organising plan
• BSBWRK404A Promote equality of opportunity and fair treatment for all workers

Entry requirements/Pre-requisites
Participants must be nominated by a Union to enrol in this Course. Additionally it is recommended that participants have:

• Access to a workplace for completion of some assessment projects
• Good writing, computing and internet skills
• Email and web access, a personal computer and telephone

Study mode
This course is a guided program over 4 months. Participants attend a 3 day face-to-face workshop at the beginning of the 4 months, and a second 3 day workshop at the end of the 4 months. They also read learner guides for 3 units between attending workshops 1 and 2. 

There are 6 weeks between each workshop training block to allow participants to relate their learning to their workplace and to practice and consolidate their knowledge and skill. 

Duration 

6 days (3 days plus 3 days) of face to face delivery. Participants will need to allocate additional time outside the workshops to complete activities at work and at home.

Participants should aim to complete all the learning activities and assessment projects within 12 months. If Participants need more time to complete assessment projects, they may request an extension in writing. To ensure currency of learning, participants will have a maximum of 2 years from the date of enrolment to complete their qualification.

After 2 years, if participants wish to complete outstanding work, they must re-enrol and pay for the course again.

Assessment projects
There are six assessment projects for this course. These projects have been designed to collect evidence of the participants skills, knowledge and abilities relating to the topics covered in Certificate IV in OHS.

Some projects will be completed during the workshops. Participants will need to allocate additional time outside the workshops to complete activities at work and at home.

Participants need to successfully complete all assessment projects to complete the requirements for the full qualification.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that looks at an individual's formal and informal learning to determine if that individual is competent in the units that make up a qualification. Applicants collect and submit evidence, such as work examples, supervisor reports, verified copies of previously gained certificates and resumes showing work history and experience.  Evidence can also be given verbally, meaning that the assessor interviews the applicant and takes notes of the conversation as evidence.  The evidence shows that the individual can be awarded the qualification (or part thereof) without completing any more training.

Participants with previous OHS training and/or experience may apply for RPL. Download a copy of the OHS RPL Application below and follow the instructions as set out in the form. Participants who have completed courses with equivalent / matching learning outcomes, will be granted credit transfer.

Where the Certificate IV in OHS can take you
At the completion of Certificate IV in OHS, the types of jobs and/or roles participants will be qualified to take up include:

• Health and safety representative
• Entry level OHS officer
• Supervisor positions with a major workload in OHS

Other pathways
Participants successfully completing all 9 units are issued the Qualification. If a participant does not complete all units, a Statement of Attainment is issued detailing the units completed. Participants who gain the Certificate IV in OHS qualification may go on to study the Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety.
They will automatically receive credit for one unit towards the Diploma qualification.

Total Fees
$1,575 (GST free) per participant