Guidelines And Criteria - Accreditation Of Training .

1y ago
4 Views
2 Downloads
1.10 MB
53 Pages
Last View : 23d ago
Last Download : 2m ago
Upload by : Louie Bolen
Transcription

Guidelines and criteriaAccreditation of training courses forsafety and health representativesFebruary 2020

Content1.General information for applicants . 21.1The legislation . 21.2Safety and health representatives . 21.3Background to accreditation . 31.4What does accreditation involve? . 31.5How long will an accreditation process take? . 41.6Steps in the process of accreditation . 41.7The process after submission . 41.8On-site RTO assessment . 41.9Ongoing requirements . 51.10Application for re-accreditation . 61.11Contact details . 62.Course Information . 62.1Aims of the course . 62.2Training modules . 62.3Training methods and course structure . 72.4Main topic and content areas . 82.5Prerequisites . 82.6Joint training or equivalent training for managers and supervisors . 82.7Assessment . 92.8Competencies and mapping to nationally endorsed competency units . 9Appendix 1: Criteria for course accreditation . 24Appendix 2: Statutory Declaration for accreditation application . 30Appendix 3: Application template and guide to supporting documentation . 36Appendix 4: Competency mapping . 41Appendix 5: Annual reporting . 45Guidelines and criteria: Accreditation of training courses for safety and health representatives1

1.General information for applicants1.1The legislationThe Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (OSH Act) and the Mines Safety andInspection Act 1994 (MSI Act) (the legislation) outline the role of safety and healthrepresentatives and their required training. The OSH Act also describes the role of theCommission for Occupational Safety and Health (Commission) in accrediting suchtraining for safety and health representatives.1.2Safety and health representativesSafety and health representatives, as elected representatives of their work colleaguesin matters of occupational safety and health, play an important role in fostering cooperation and consultation between employers and employees.The workplace functions of safety and health representatives as set out in the legislationare to: carry out regular inspections of the workplace; immediately carry out an appropriate investigation of any accident, dangerousoccurrence or risk of imminent and serious harm to any person; keep informed on safety and health information provided by the employer aboutthe workplace; liaise as necessary with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation andSafety (DMIRS) and other Government or private bodies; consult and cooperate with the employer on all matters relating to safety andhealth at work; liaise with employees about matters concerning their safety and health at work; and report to the employer any hazard or any potential hazard to which a person isexposed or might be exposed at work.Regulation 2.2(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (OSHRegulations) provides the Commission with the authority to accredit two types oftraining courses for safety and health representatives:(a) accredit a training course designed for safety and health representatives toattend, subject to course availability, during the first year of holding office;or(b) accredit a training course designed to update the knowledge of safety andhealth representatives who have completed an introductory course.All elements of training must reflect the functions of safety and health representativesset out in the legislation.To be accredited by the Commission, training courses for safety and healthrepresentatives must be designed to provide safety and health representatives with theinformation and skills to enable them to effectively carry out their functions in theworkplace they are elected to tivesrepresentativesGuidelines2

1.3Background to accreditationSafety and health representative training courses are of fundamental importance to theachievement of the philosophy of the legislation, namely to: foster cooperation and consultation between employers and employees andassociations representing employers and employees, and provide for the participation of these stakeholders in the formulation andimplementation of safety and health standards and optimum working practices.The purpose of accreditation is to enable the Commission to ensure training providershave appropriate skills and knowledge, and that learning methods are suitable. Thekey mechanism for ensuring this is the requirement for all training providers to beRegistered Training Organisations (RTOs). When this is the case, the learningoutcomes are more likely to be met and the training service to be at an appropriatestandard.The Commission assesses applications for accreditation against agreed criteria andwill not accredit courses where relevant criteria have not been met. When an RTO hassuccessfully met all requirements, formal accreditation will be granted for a period of threeyears.RTOs providing an accredited training course for safety and health representatives,and wishing to continue to do so beyond their three year accreditation, must re-submitfor accreditation within three months of their current accreditation’s expiry.Accreditation granted by the Commission is course specific and does not apply to anorganisation, an individual trainer within the organisation or other courses offered bythe organisation.Courses accredited by the Commission do not lead to the award of a qualification to theparticipant but are designed to assist workplace parties to perform their roles. Accordingly,only statements of attendance will be issued to participants, and the word ‘certificate’ willnot appear in the title of an accredited course.Accreditation of an accredited training course for safety and health representatives bythe Commission is free of charge.1.4What does accreditation involve?Accreditation of a training course for safety and health representatives involves anapplicant confirming that they have addressed the accreditation criteria set out inAppendix 1 of this document. The applicant then signs the statutory declarationprovided at Appendix 2 and sends it to the Commission using the contact detailsprovided at section 1.11 of this guide. The statutory declaration must be accompaniedby supporting documentation. A guide to what supporting documentation should beprovided can be found as part of Appendix 3.By signing the statutory declaration at Appendix 2, training organisations confirm that theirRTO registration is current and unrestricted. They also commit to notify the Commission ifthere is any change to their RTO accreditation, such as a suspension or cancellation epresentativesGuidelines3

would impact on its eligibility to continue to delivery training courses for safety and healthrepresentatives.The Commission may withdraw an RTO’s accreditation to deliver training courses for safetyand health representatives if they are found to be unable to continue to meet therequirements set out in the statutory declaration provided at Appendix 2. An RTO will benotified by the Commission in writing if their accreditation is cancelled.1.5How long will an accreditation process take?The accreditation process commences when the statutory declaration and supportingdocumentation has been completed and submitted by the RTO, using the contact detailsprovided at section 1.11 of this guide.The Commission will usually take between four to six weeks to consider an application.The RTO is then advised in writing if their accreditation has been approved or not.1.6Steps in the process of accreditationThe following steps describe the accreditation process:Step 1:Apply these guidelines.Step 2:Review Appendix 1, which includes explanatory notes for accreditation criteria.Step 3:Complete and sign the statutory declaration provided at Appendix 2Step 4:Send the completed and signed statutory declaration, along withsupporting documentation to the contact details provided at section 1.11of this guide1.7The process after submissionWhen the statutory declaration and supporting documentation are received they arechecked for completeness. If there are any obvious issues with the submission theapplicant will be contacted and asked to amend or resubmit it.The statutory declaration and supporting documentation will be considered by theCommission at their next scheduled meeting.The RTO is then advised of the outcome of the Commission’s consideration in writing.1.8On-site RTO assessmentAn officer of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) mayvisit the RTO, on behalf of the Commission, during delivery of a training course, toconduct an on-site assessment. This assessment compares the training with theundertakings agreed by the RTO in the signed statutory declaration and supportingdocumentation.If DMIRS determines that the on-site delivery or conditions do not adequately meet therelevant accreditation criteria, the Commission will be advised and provided with anexplanation of the non-compliance. The Commission may then decide to write to theprovider, outlining the matters that should be tivesrepresentativesGuidelines4

Accreditation is subject to the Commission retaining the right to observe the conduct ofany approved course, or part thereof, at any time.If an RTO has submitted a signed statutory declaration but is not complying with therequirements set out in it, then the Commission may write to the RTO with a deadlineto respond with evidence of compliance.If compliance is not achieved within the timeframe determined by the Commission, thenthe provider’s accreditation may be suspended or cancelled. This decision is at thediscretion of the Commission and the provider will be advised in writing.1.9Ongoing requirementsAnnual ReportAn annual report containing information specified by the Commission is to be provided.An annual report covering the period 1 July to 30 June should be submitted to theCommission by 31 July each year. As a course may be accredited during any monthof the year, the first annual report may cover only part of the twelve month period.Further information is provided at Appendix 5.Changes to an accredited RTOThe Commission and DMIRS are to be advised if a training provider no longer complies withthe commitments set out in the statutory declaration provided at Appendix 2. This includesnotifying the Commission if there is any change in the RTO’s accreditation, including: the suspension or cancellation of any courses that would impact on its eligibility tocontinue to delivery training courses for safety and health representatives, includingthe Certificate III in Work Health and Safety;current regulatory decision information; andif a trainer leaves, or a new trainer begins running courses.Such notification should occur within 10 working days of the change, in writing to the contactdetails provided at section 1.11 of this guide.Evaluation requirementsOngoing course evaluation must be undertaken by the RTO conducting the training courseas a quality control measure, to ensure learning outcomes specified are achieved. Anevaluation report should be submitted when re-accreditation of a course is sought.For accredited training courses, the evaluation should focus on determining the extentto which course participants are satisfied with the course for the key areas: Inspectionsand Investigations; Hazard Identification and Risk Management; Communication andRepresentation; Conflict Resolution and Provisional Improvement Notices.This evaluation requirement does not limit training providers undertaking additionalevaluation for their own ivesrepresentativesGuidelines5

1.10Application for re-accreditationThe period of accreditation is three years. Re-accreditation is not automatic and RTOsmust make an application for this.Toward the end of each three year period RTOs seeking re-accreditation of training coursesmust address the accreditation criteria current at that time. The process is the same as forinitial accreditation and a new statutory declaration must be completed and signed by theRTO. An application for re-accreditation must be made within three months of the expiry ofthe current accreditation in order to ensure continuity of accreditation.As part of the re-submission process, providers will have to demonstrate procedures forensuring the continuous improvement of accredited courses. Two important sources ofinformation will be the evaluation responses from participants and consultation with industry.Feedback from these and other sources is to be incorporated by trainers to ensure that thecourse continues to meet the needs of the participants. Mechanisms must also exist toensure that up-to-date information is included in course delivery and any course handouts.1.11Contact detailsAll submissions and correspondence in relation to training courses for safety and healthrepresentatives should be sent by email to:CommissionOSH@dmirs.wa.gov.auOr by mail to:Commission for Occupational Safety and HealthLocked Bag 100EAST PERTH WA 6892DMIRS can be contacted on 1300 307 877, during normal office hours, for furtherinformation regarding the submission of applications for training accreditation or reaccreditation.2.Course Information2.1Aims of the courseWith the ultimate aim of improving safety and health in Western Australian workplaces,the course aims to give safety and health representatives, and, if appropriate,supervisors, managers and others, the basic knowledge and skills to perform their rolesand functions under the legislation.2.2Training modulesModules adopted by the Commission for training courses for safety and healthrepresentatives are:Module 1:Occupational safety and health legislationModule 2:Inspections and investigationsModule 3:Hazard identification and risk managementModule 4:Communication and representationModule 5:Conflict resolution and Provisional Improvement Notices srepresentativesGuidelines6

Competencies have been developed by the Commission to cover these skill areas (seesection 2.8).The content and structure of Module 1: Occupational Safety and Health Legislation hasbeen revised and developed as a complete package and approved by the Commission.It is a requirement of accreditation that this module, as an approved complete package,must be covered first.2.3Training methods and course structureAll five competencies must be covered, however the structure of a course is notprescribed. The nominal structure for delivery of a training course is in a block of 5consecutive days. Delivery should take into account the needs of participants andencompass flexibility rather than sole reliance on block training in the classroom.RTOs can propose different ways of meeting course objectives, with the proviso that acourse should be completed within an eight-week period. For example, a course couldbe: of five consecutive days; delivered in a modular format; one class per week spread over an eight-week maximum semester period; combinations of class contact time and out of classroom learning methods.These flexible formats will allow the use of innovative and effective learning methodse.g. project work to support formal training on the prescribed topics.A suggested time allocation is 20% per competency, however this is only a guide.The Commission will consider different delivery methods, provided that the skill andknowledge requirements are met.Some topic areas lend themselves to individual or on-site training activities should theRTO wish to use these methods, particularly if off-site training is difficult to organisedue to shifts, location, etc. If out-of-classroom methods are to be employed, the RTOwill need to submit details on: methods used; how the training is to be delivered and monitored; how participants will receive feedback; samples of training material (including notes, reading lists, graphics or videos,formative assessment methods, etc).The modules are not self-sufficient – they are interdependent and should beappropriately linked throughout the course. Specific skill and knowledge requirementsmay be stated in more than one module so that learning is seen as a continuousbuilding vesrepresentativesGuidelines7

2.4Main topic and content areasHow each competency is addressed is essentially up to the RTO. However, theCommission requires RTOs to use adult learning methods that are suitable for thetarget group and which facilitate transfer of learning to the workplace, so that new skillsand behaviours are maintained.Adults learn in different ways. However, there are some widely accepted principles ofadult learning. The incorporation of as many of these principles as possible into trainingwill assist participants by stimulating their desire to learn and providing opportunities tomaximise their involvement in the training.The RTO will need to determine how and where each of the following topic areas will becovered in the program and which sessions address particular objectives:2.5 Introduction to safety and health and background to the legislation. Critical areas of the legislation sors, committees and inspectors Hazard identification, risk assessment and control (including hierarchy of control) Consultation and issue resolution Communication and representation Inspections Investigations Issuing PINs Accessing information and basic record keeping Committeesrepresentatives,PrerequisitesNo prerequisites are required for course attendance.The program would need to have a logical flow, with each session building on skills andknowledge gained in previous sessions. It would therefore be counterproductive forparticipants to attend sessions at random (for example, attending a session on controlmeasures without having attended a session on hazards and their effects).2.6Joint training or equivalent training for managers and supervisorsTraining courses are designed and conducted for elected safety and healthrepresentatives.The Commission is supportive of joint training with managers and supervisors to ensuremanagement representatives have an opportunity to gain equivalent competencies.Discussion of the different parties' perspectives on the issues could be beneficial toparticipant learning and to building more effective workplace relationships. Howeverjoint training should not take the place of role specific training for elected safety andhealth esentativesrepresentativesGuidelines8

To maximise learning opportunities it is important to ensure representatives feelcomfortable and free to raise concerns during joint training. If a course is beingdelivered to a specific workplace or organisation, approval for joint training may besought through the safety and health committee, where one exists, or throughconsultation with the elected safety and health representatives participating in thetraining course.Alternatively, RTOs may offer managers and supervisors equivalent training in the formof competency units from the Certificate III in Work Health and Safety or from higherlevel units in the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.2.7AssessmentSafety and health representative training does not provide a qualification or formalassessment of competence e.g. pass or fail. However, it is underpinned by the generalprinciples of competency based training, and seeks to provide safety and healthrepresentatives with skills and knowledge to enable them to carry out theirrepresentative functions effectively and with confidence.As supervisors and managers have a responsibility for implementing the legislationcommensurate with their position, safety and health is a component of their job. Wherethere is joint training or equivalent training that includes supervisors and managers, theperformance criteria in the corresponding competency units from the Certificate III inWork Health and Safety or Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety could be used inappraisal or assessment of their performance in this capacity.In contrast, the safety and health representative's position is not dependent oncompetencies being positively assessed. In that sense the skills and knowledge requiredby safety and health representatives are not treated as formal competencies in the training,although the merits of competency based training as a training methodology arerecognised.2.8Competencies and mapping to nationally endorsed competency unitsAt the end of the training course safety and health representatives may formally requestto be assessed against the corresponding competency units from the Certificate III inWork Health and Safety. RTOs must offer course participants this opportunity. Inaddition, completion of the safety and health representatives course together with asubsequent work-based project should give participants the option to have their trainingrecognised as a full Certificate III in Occupational Safety and Health. Providers shoulddiscuss this option with course participants.DMIRS has mapped elements of the Certificate III in Work Health and Safety to theCommission’s accredited introductory training course for elected safety and healthrepresentatives, to assist RTOS to understand the relationship between the courses.This mapping can be found at Appendix resentativesGuidelines9

COMPETENCY:APPLY KNOWLEDGE OF LEGISLATION IN THE ROLE OF ASAFETY AND HEALTH REPRESENTATIVEDescriptorThis competency describes the actions necessary for a Safetyand Health Representative to access required workplace safetyand health legislation and related information, and to use thisinformation in carrying out the role.ElementPerformance CriteriaElements define the criticaloutcomes of a unit ofcompetencyThe Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrateachievement of the Element.1. Access relevantsafety and healthlegislation andinformation1.1 Current legislation and related documentation relevant to safety and healthand the organisation’s operations is accessed1.2 Knowledge of the relationship between OSH acts, regulations, codes ofpractice, associated standards and guidance material is demonstrated incarrying out the Safety and Health Representative role1.3 Responsibilities and requirements under legislation are demonstrated2 Apply relevantsafety and healthlegislation andinformation2.1 Safety and health issues in the workplace are raised and dealt with2.2 Interests of employees are represented in discussions with management2.3 All safety and health activity is consistent with the functions of a Safety andHealth Representative as defined in the legislationRange StatementThe Range Statement adds definition to the unit by elaborating on significant aspects of the performance requirements ofthe unit. The Range Statement establishes the range of applications of these requirements in different operating contextsand conditions. The specific aspects that require elaboration are identified by the use of italics in the Performance Criteria.Current legislation and related documentation relevant to safety and health includes: Responsibilities andrequirements may includelegal obligations underrelevant legislation for thefollowing persons:Functions of a Safety andHealth Representative asdefined in the legislationinclude: current Commonwealth and relevant State/Territory OSH legislation andrelated regulationscodes of practice, associated standards and guidance material relevant tothe Safety and Health Representative’s organisationIntroductory Safety and Health Representative training program materialsthat refer to and summarise the relevant legislationemployersself-employed personspersons in control of workplacescontractorsdesigners, manufacturers, importers, suppliers of planterectors and installers of certain plantmanufacturers, importers, suppliers of substancesemployeesSafety and Health CommitteesSafety and Health Representativescarry out regular inspections of the workplaceimmediately carry out an appropriate investigation of any accident,dangerous occurrence or risk of imminent and serious harm to any personkeep informed on safety and health information provided by the employerabout the workplaceliaise as necessary with DMIRS or other Government or private bodiesconsult and cooperate with the employer on all matters relating to safetyand health at workliaise with employees about matters concerning their safety and health atworkreport to the employer any hazard or any potential hazard to which aperson is exposed or might be exposed at epresentativesGuidelines10

Evidence guideThe Evidence Guide provides advice to inform and support appropriate assessment of this unit. It identifies specificaspects of evidence that will need to be addressed in determining competence.Required knowledge includes:Required skills include: relevant sections of the Occupational Safety &Health Act as amended from time to time access and interpret the Act and relevantregulations, codes of practice, standards etc relevant codes of practice, regulations, guidancenotes, standards role of safety & health representative,manager/supervisor and inspectorcommunicate the meaning of the Act andrelevant regulations, codes of practice,standards etc observe the workplace tasks and activities of thegroup represented and take steps to ensure theAct and its related documents are followed responsibilities of employers and employees functions of a safety and health committee responsibilities around issuing ProvisionalImprovement Notices (PINs)Products that could be used as evidence include: written action planswritten records of incidents, investigations, etcmeeting minutes or notesdocuments used to inform and report to others inthe organisationemails and other records of processesundertaken on safety and health related issuesProcesses that could be used as evidenceinclude: processes for accessing legislation and relateddocumentation relevant to safety and healthprocesses for gathering information on safetyand health matters relevant to the organisationutilising relevant sources of informationprocesses for addressing safety and healthissues as they arise, and the links between theactions taken and relevant legislative provisionsAssessment questionsThe following questions

The Commission may withdraw an RTO's accreditation to deliver training courses for safety and health representatives if they are found to be unable to continue to meet the requirements set out in the statutory declaration provided at Appendix 2. An RTO will be notified by the Commission in writing if their accreditation is cancelled.

Related Documents:

The Accreditation Criteria are divided into three levels. To achieve Provisional Accreditation, a two year term, providers must comply with Criteria 1, 2, 3, and 7–12. Providers seeking full Accreditation or reaccreditation for a four-year term must comply with Criteria 1–15. To achieve Accreditation with

Practice Accreditation Program Web based program launched in January 2011 Application, interview and data collection forms, surveyor report and summary are all captured electronically No more paper ACR-ASTRO accreditation outcomes 3 Categories: Accreditation Defer Denial of Accreditation ACR-ASTRO Accreditation Accreditation Cycle is 3 years

This Accreditation Criteria, Guidelines and Procedures document is primarily aimed at Higher Education Institutions outside of France wishing to obtain accreditation for their engineering degree programmes at master's level through a quality assurance procedure by CTI. It contains the standards and guidelines for accreditation procedures by CTI.

Accreditation Application Review Process The accreditation application review is the first step in the accreditation process. Once submitted, the SSH Accreditation staff will review the application. If the application is complete and all eligibility criteria met, an on-site review will be scheduled. Accreditation On-Site Survey Process

o Accreditation Visit by the Commission on Public Schools o Accreditation Decision Substantive Change Policy Glossary . 3 NEASC CPS - Accreditation Handbook (Revised Fall 2021) Overview of the Redesigned Accreditation Process The NEASC Accreditation process is a 10-year cycle intended to serve as a guide for schools to meet .

This will result in one accreditation determination that will apply to all the facilities in the group. Length of Accreditation Cycle. APEx accreditation is granted for up to four years. In order to avoid a lapse in accreditation, the ROP must complete the next facility visit no later than 90 days after the expiration of its current accreditation.

Accreditation Issue date Expiration date Not applicable The Joint Commission Accreditation CARF accreditation AOA accreditation COA accreditation Please list other accreditation(s) held by your organization Licensure/certification Entity issuing license or certification Type of license or certificate License number Expiration date 1. 2. 3. 4.

ders and regulators that the accreditation bodies' technical competence is thoroughly assessed. The purpose of on-site evaluations, every four years, is to verify the accreditation body signatories' continuing compliance with the internationally agreed criteria for accreditation bodies. EA and its member accreditation bodies invest signi-