Employers and recruiters
Managers must have confidence in the competence of people providing OHS advice and supporting the OHS function as managers as they may rely on this advice regarding implementation and status of strategies to prevent workplace death, injury and illness. It is part of the due diligence of those with management responsibility to ensure that those providing OHS advice have appropriate qualifications and competence.
Safe Work Australia in providing an explanation of the role of an ‘officer’ under the Work Health and Act 2011 advise that part of due diligence includes doing all that is reasonably practicable to obtain appropriate advice and ensuring that the source of that advice is credible.
“An officer may rely on information, advice and the activities of others in their governance of health and safety management and decision making. They must be able to demonstrate that such reliance is reasonable.”
Safe Work Australia, FAQ on Role of an officer
The Accreditation Board is developing a package of tools to assist organisations to develop their OHS talent. Three components of this package are described below.
The OHS Professional Capability Statements describe what a new OHS graduate should be able to do in the workplace and so assist in clarifying expectations as informing the recruitment process.
Download the OHS Professional Capability Statements. (Coming soon)
The OHS Body of Knowledge Learning Outcomes describe what could be expected of the new graduate in the workplace from a technical perspective.
Download the OHS Body of Knowledge Learning Outcomes.
Employers wishing to support their OHS advisors to upgrade their qualifications should refer to the material under the Student Tab or by clicking here. A list of programs can be accessed by clicking here. You may also find it useful to talk with other organisations and their OHS advisors.