A Safety Practitioner

Capability FrameworkMatthew Perriman

Regional Manager

HBA Learning Centres

2014 Perth Safety Conference

Overview

• Understanding of workplace competency and capability1

• Attributes of a safety practitioner2

• Maintenance of currency3

Capability and Competency

• Why does it concern me?

• I’m qualified – therefore I’m competent and

capable, right?

Competency

• Defined by National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) as

“The consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance

required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and

knowledge to new situations and environments.”

Competency

• Not as simple as it seems!

• Dimensions:

– Task Skills

– Task Management

– Contingency Management

– Environment

– Transferability

Formal Recognition Of Competency

• AQF Qualifications

• Should be more than just a piece of paper!

Capability

“Capability is a feature, faculty or process

that can be developed or improved.

Capability is a collaborative process that can

be deployed and through which individual

competences can be applied and exploited.”

Capability Framework

• A Capability Framework defines the skills,

knowledge and abilities that are relevant to

the WHS practitioner, regardless of their

location, organisation, or role

• Provides a common language to help

individuals understand what is required of

them.

Existing models

• AQF Qualifications

• OHS BoK

• Learning Outcomes per each chapter

• Today is about conceptualising the idea of

capability – understanding the skills,

knowledge, and attributes of a successful

safety professional.

Attributes of a WHS practitioner

• What is a practitioner?

• What is “WHS Practice”?

WHS Practice• Work impacts on the safety and health of humans who

work in organisations. Organisations are influenced by the socio-political context.

• Organisations may be considered a system which may contain hazards which must be under control to minimise risk. This can be achieved by understanding models of causation for safety and for health which will result in improvement in the safety and health of people at work.

• The OHS professional applies professional practice to influence the organisation to bring about this improvement.

HaSPA (Health and Safety Professionals Alliance).(2012). The Core Body of Knowledge for Generalist OHS

Professionals. Tullamarine, VIC. Safety Institute of Australia.

Building a framework

• Skills

• Knowledge

• Attributes

Skills

• Application of specialised or general

competencies – what can the WHS

professional DO?

Knowledge

Attributes

Skills

Specific Practice Skills

Application of legislative frameworks

Implementation and application of Risk Management including auditing

Analysis, development and measurement of WHS indicators in reviewing performance

Responding to incidents including investigation and reporting

Involvement in and promotion of health and well being programs

Provision of advice and guidance through consultation and participative processes

Use of standardised tools (AS/NZS, ISO)

General Professional Practice Skills

Critical literacy

Active listening

Interpersonal communication – verbal/non-verbal/written

Coaching or mentoring

Computer / ICT literacy

Negotiation and conflict resolution

Specific Practice Skills

Application of legislative frameworks

Implementation and application of Risk Management

Analysis, development and measurement of WHS indicators in reviewing performance

Responding to incidents including investigation and reporting

Promotion in and promotion of health and well being programs

Provision of advice and guidance through consultation and participative processes

Use of standardised tools (AS/NZS, ISO)

General Professional Practice Skills

Critical literacy

Active listening

Interpersonal communication – verbal/non-verbal/written

Coaching or mentoring

Computer / ICT literacy

Negotiation and conflict resolution

‘Meta’ Skills as identified by OHS BoK:

Consultation and Building Relationships

Working within an organisational context

Knowledge

• Understanding of specialised and

generalist information, concepts, and/or

conceptual frameworks – what does the

WHS professional

KNOW

or UNDERSTAND?Knowledge

Attributes

Skills

Specialised Practice Knowledge

Relevant legislative and/or regulatory frameworks

Application and purpose of WHSMS/OHSMS

Core concepts of Risk Management and related models

Models of OHS practice

Strategic and management planning

Research, analysis, interpretation, critical thinking

Problem solving techniques

Causation models

Project and change management

Attributes

• Characteristics of the individual as a

worker/professional within the practice

environment – what is the WHS

professional LIKE?

Knowledge

Attributes

Skills

Characteristics/Attributes

Ethical – personally and professionally

Accountable

Integrity

Honesty

Awareness of self as member of community of practice

Awareness of self as a learner

Responsibility for maintenance of skills/knowledge

Knowledge

Attributes

Skills

Currency

• Holding a qualification or accreditation

does not necessarily prove competency

• Currency is dynamic and situational

• Currency of information accessed and

currency of self are both important.

Ensuring Currency

• CPD (formal or user-driven)

• Ongoing qualifications

• Self-study options

• Networking

• Critical reflection (Kolb’s Cycle)

Knowledge

Attributes

Skills

Ongoing currency maintenance

The future

• Application of clearly defined models of

practice and capability frameworks will

lead to stronger outcomes for new

graduates of AQF qualifications, but also

provide guiding reference for experienced

practitioners to critically reflect.

Conclusion

• Competency and Capability are multi-

faceted and complex

• The profile or capability framework of a

WHS professional can provide structure

and a common language for

understanding the role of the WHS

professional