Course Title: Follow WHS safety procedures for direct care work

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: OHTH5712C

Course Title: Follow WHS safety procedures for direct care work

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4329 - Certificate IV in Disability

Course Contact : Renee Costa

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0886

Course Contact Email:renee.costa@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mary Collins, Teacher, Disability and Community Services Work Programs, (03) 99254598, mary.collins@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Not applicable

Course Description

This course specifies the workplace performance required by an individual involved in following work health and safety procedures for direct care work.
The course focuses on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCWHS312A Follow WHS safety procedures for direct care work

Element:

1. Identify sources of risk to personal safety, assess the level of risk and follow risk minimisation procedures

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify environments, situations and client-related risk factors
1.2 Apply practical strategies and organisation procedures to minimise risk
1.3 Identify any behaviours of concern in the work context and follow organisation procedures to minimise risk
1.4 Identify risks associated with driving and travelling with and without clients and follow organisation procedures to minimise risk
1.5 Follow organisation policies and procedures when working in a new or unstable environment
 

Element:

2. Identify manual handling hazards, assess related risk and follow risk minimisation procedures

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify manual handling hazards
2.2 Assess the risk using the tools described in the Manual Handling Code of practice (or equivalent) for own State/territory
2.3 Apply recognised control measures for manual handling risk, including eliminating manual handling wherever possible
2.4 Follow established manual handling procedures and work instructions for minimising manual handling activity/risk
 

Element:

3. Identify sources of infection and apply industry accepted practice to minimise risk of infection to themselves, clients and others

Performance Criteria:

 3.1 Identify risks of infection
3.2 Apply standard precautions to prevent the spread of infection as part of own work routine
3.3 Recognise situations when additional infection control procedures are required
3.4 Apply additional precautions when standard precautions alone may not be sufficient to prevent transmission of infection
3.5 Identify other sources of infection for workers
 

Element:

4. Identify other hazards and assess risk

Performance Criteria:

 4.1 Identify other hazards in the work area during the performance of duties
4.2 Assess level of risk
4.3 Conduct environmental assessment to identify potential sources of risk to personal safety
 

Element:

5.  Follow procedures and strategies for risk control

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Report hazards in the work area to designated personnel according to workplace procedures
5.2 Follow accurately workplace procedures and work instructions for controlling risks with minimal supervision
5.3 Whenever necessary, within the scope of responsibilities and competencies, follow workplace procedures for dealing with incidents, fire and/or hazardous events
 

Element:

6. Contribute to WHS in the workplace

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Describe employee rights and employer obligations regarding consultation on WHS matters
6.2 Raise task and/or job specific WHS issues with appropriate people in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant WHS legislative requirements
6.3 Contribute to participative arrangements for WHS management in the workplace within organisation procedures and the scope of responsibilities and competencies
6.4 Provide feedback to supervisor on hazards in work area in line with organisation WHS policies and procedures
6.5 Provide support in implementing procedures to control risks in accordance with organisation procedures
 


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you will learn about the legislation governing workplace health and safety practices, the application of this to the disability services sector and your responsibilities as a disability support worker.  The sessions will include those on environmental and health risks and strategies, emergency procedures and equipment used to minimise risks.  The Certificate IV in Disability includes a field placement in a community disability service of 200 hours across the whole program.  The knowledge and skills you gain in this course will be further developed during the placement.  


Teaching Schedule

 

Class Topics
1 Introduction to the course - links with CHCDIS301C, clients’ rights, needs and interests
2 Working safely in direct care work - what disability support workers need to know
3 Manual handling
4 Manual handling (cont.) and in-class assessment: Task 1 - Manual Handling 
5 Public holiday - no class
6 Infection control in the disability industry
7 Risks in the environment, in-class assessment: Task 3 - Assessing risks in the RMIT city campus 
8 Field Placement preparation, Task 4, review and summary of the course.

NB.: aspects of this course including the legislative and regulatory framework will be addressed in other courses in the Certificate IV in Disability such as CHCCS400C Work within a legal and ethical framework, and CHCCS411C Work effectively in the community sector.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

During sessions you will be directed to relevant sources of information including government websites including Worksafe, Safe Work Australia and the Department of Human Services (DHS).  The WHS/OHS policy and practice documentation for the field placement agency will also be an important source.     


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills which will include: A practical in-class assessment, short answer questions, a risk and hazard assessment and a field placement assessment.
 


Assessment Tasks

 There are four assessment tasks for this course:

  1. Practical in-class assessment:  Manual Handling
  2. Understanding theory - short answer questions on Infection Control
  3. In-class assessment: Environmental Risk and Hazard Assessment  
  4. Field Placement assessment: Report on Agency OHS Policy and Practice


Assessment Matrix

A detailed assessment matrix will be available from the course teacher.

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops and classes in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback from your teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7  
Student progress
Monitoring student progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student Progress policy can be found at: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;IDvj2g89cve4uj1  
Special Consideration Policy
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment buy the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w  
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity website: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n  
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview