NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARD WSQ Framework : WSH Professionals Competency Category : Check and take corrective and preventive actions for WSH Competency Code : WP-CA-301C-1 Competency Unit : Investigate WSH incidents Competency Level : 3 Credit Value : 2 Version Number : 1.0 Competency Descriptor : Upon completion of this unit, learner will have the knowledge and skills to respond to, investigate and report organisational WSH incidents. Effective Date : 27 August 2007 Review Date : Developer : Generic Skills Development Division Custodian : Generic Skills Development Division Copyright 2007 SINGAPORE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE MINISTRY OF MANPOWER Copyright 2007. Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. All rights reserved. This document is provided for the explicit use and guidance of parties approved by WDA and the Ministry of Manpower as an information resource only. Any other use of this document or parts thereof, including reproduction, publication, distribution, transmission, re-transmission or public showing, or storage in a retrieval system in any form, electronic or otherwise, for purposes other than that expressly stated above without the express permission of WDA and the Ministry of Manpower is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 1
National Competency Standard Competency Unit : Investigate WSH incidents Summary of Competency Elements 1. Respond to WSH incidents 2. Identify incident causes and recommend corrective and preventive measures 3. Report incidents to relevant parties Assumed Skills and Knowledge The assumed skills and knowledge for this unit are as follows. Learners are assumed to: Be able to listen, read, speak and write English at a proficiency level equivalent to the Employability Skills System (ESS) Workplace Literacy level 5 Be able to manipulate numbers at a proficiency level equivalent to ESS Workplace Numeracy level 5 Have basic knowledge of processes, procedures and hazards at the workplace and their control measures Have basic knowledge of the workplace safety & health legal requirements Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 2
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-CA-301C-1 Competency Unit Title Investigate WSH incidents Competency Level 3 Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 1. Respond to WSH incidents Performance Criteria A competent individual must be able to successfully perform the following: 1.1 Classify types of incidents in accordance with WSH legal requirements and organisational procedures. 1.2 Assist in notification of incidents to relevant stakeholders in accordance with organisational procedures. 1.3 Identify and isolate any immediate hazards at the incident scene in accordance with organisational procedures. 1.4 Arrange for immediate medical assistance in accordance with organisational procedures in case of injury. 1.5 Coordinate with WSH incident investigation team to conduct WSH incident investigation in accordance with organisational procedures. Underpinning Knowledge A competent individual needs to know and understand: Types of incidents Procedure for notification of incidents Methods of isolation of immediate hazards Forms of immediate medical assistance Members of WSH incident investigation team Range and Context Types of incident, which may include: Death of an employee or employees (fatality) Accident or incident involving amputation of a major limb, loss of an eye; a dangerous occurrence that require notification to a statutory authority or major business interruption (major incident) Accident involving amputation of minor body parts; a partial permanent disability potential, hospitalisation, absence from work for more than 3 days Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 3
(serious incident) Accident involving injury requiring treatment by a medical practitioner with temporary disability of less than 3 days. (minor incident) Accident cases that result in first aid treatment only and no subsequent medical intervention (first aid) An unplanned event that would have caused personal injury, damage to plants, equipment & property if under slightly different circumstances (near miss) Dangerous occurrence which does not involve injury of any person at work Occupational disease such as Anthrax Lead poisoning Asbestosis Cyanide poisoning Noise induced deafness Occupational asthma Repetitive strain disorder of the upper limb Feedback or complaint relating to WSH matters at work which may include: Unsafe working conditions At-risk behaviours WSH legal requirements, which may include: Workplace Safety and Health (Incident Reporting) Regulations Workplace Safety and Health (General Provision) Regulations Workmen s Compensation Act Organisational procedures, which may include: Organisation procedures on WSH incident investigation and analysis Emergency preparedness and response procedures Procedure for notification of incidents may include: Notification timing Notification format Notification to relevant stakeholders: Employers Supervisors and managers Injured family members Authorities Methods of isolation of immediate hazards, which may include: Removal or isolation of hazardous materials Dissipation or isolating the energy sources Stabilisation of hazardous condition Cordoning off the incident area Posting of hazard signs Forms of immediate medical assistance, which may include: In-house first aid In-house nurses Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 4
In-house doctors External emergency support Coordination with WSH investigation team, which may include: Notification of WSH incident investigation team Conduct WSH investigation WSH incident investigation reports WSH incident follow-up actions Members of Accident Investigation Team, who may include: Supervisor / manager of the casualties Supervisor / manager of the area of incident WSH Officer Witnesses Technical specialists / subject matter experts of the agents, machines equipment and processes involved WSH Committee members Occupational nurses Doctors Evidence Sources Listed below are a few examples about the kind of evidence that would provide a guide as to whether an individual is meeting the standards required to be competent. Work Activities Identify types of incidents applicable to organisation Responding to simulated WSH incidents Products and Outcomes Records on incident notification Verbal and /or Written Reports Explain types of incidents Explain ways to render incident scene safe and preserving evidence Summary of process of coordination with WSH investigation team Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 5
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-CA-301C-1 Competency Unit Title Investigate WSH incidents Competency Level 3 Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 2. Identify incident causes and recommend corrective and preventive measures Performance Criteria A competent individual must be able to successfully perform the following: 2.1 Collate evidence for identification of possible causes of the incident in accordance with organisational procedures. 2.2 Verify information collected with relevant persons and against actual conditions. 2.3 Coordinate with accident investigation team in their investigation. 2.4 Participate in root cause analysis with application of appropriate tools. 2.5 Contribute suggestions to practical plan of corrective and preventive measures to address the possible root causes of incident. 2.6 Monitor closure of corrective and preventive measures. Underpinning Knowledge A competent individual needs to know and understand: Causes of accidents Types of evidence Interviewing skills Techniques for verifying information The composition of an accident investigation team Root cause analysis Corrective and preventive actions Range and Context Typical causes of incidents may include: Basic Cause: hazards and unsafe practices associated with the accident Possible unsafe working conditions (hazards) that exist Possible unsafe working behaviours (human error) that exist Possible unsafe equipment(s) involved in the accident Possible unsafe work methods involved in the accident Possible unsafe working materials involved in the accident Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 6
Immediate Cause: personal or job factors lead to the accident Any other non-conformances to good safe work practices Underlying Cause: any other indirect reasons not directly associated with the accident Lack of supervisory control, or the lapse in control that resulted in the accident Hazard previously not recorded in the risk assessment form Types of evidence for the investigation may include: Photos and video footage of the incident scene Statements from those involved in the incidents Information on materials, method, machines, and environment Risk assessment documents Training records Interviewing skills may include: Provide a conducive environment for the interview Assure interviewees of the purpose of the interview to identify root cause for incident prevention Use of interview questionnaire Stay on fact findings Ask open-ended questions Avoid leading questions Speak the interviewees language Record information provided by the witnesses in statements or interviewees log Seek their signatures to assure they have read and understand the information Techniques for verifying the information with persons involved in the incident in a supportive, sensitive and tactful manner which may include: Explain clearly the purpose of incident investigation is to identity possible root causes for prevention and not fault-finding Build rapport and trust Provide conducive environment and warmth during the interviewing sessions Be sensitive and supportive to the victim and all other parties involved Root cause analysis with application of appropriate tools, which may include: Fish-Bone diagram - on the 5 elements of Man, Machine, Material, Method and Environment 5-Why analysis Corrective or preventive measures, which may include: Elimination Substitution Engineering Administrative Personal protective equipment Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 7
Evidence Sources Listed below are a few examples about the kinds of evidence that would provide a guide as to whether an individual is meeting the standards required to be competent. Work Activities Interviewing the injured and the eyewitnesses Reviewing risk assessment documents Building rapport with the injured and interviewees Suggesting reasonable corrective control measures from the accident fact findings Products and Outcomes Investigation notes Photographs and videos and sketches Interview statements from the injured and eye-witnesses Accident investigation reports Initial findings of the document reviews Fish-Bone Diagram Verbal and /or Written Reports Discussion on collecting accurate and comprehensive investigation information Responses to questions on various root cause identification tools. Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 8
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-CA-301C-1 Competency Unit Title Investigate WSH incidents Competency Level 3 Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 3. Report incidents to relevant parties Performance Criteria A competent individual must be able to successfully perform the following: 3.1 Collate required documents and information for incident reporting in accordance with organisational and legal requirements. 3.2 Report findings of the investigation to interested internal parties for corrective or preventive actions to be undertaken. 3.3 Submit timely incident report to relevant government agencies in accordance with their respective requirements. 3.4 Submit incident report to the insurance company to initiate claim process in accordance with insurance company requirements. 3.5 Monitor and report progress of costs due to the incidents. Underpinning Knowledge A competent individual needs to know and understand: Organisational requirements for reporting Legal requirements for reporting Interested internal parties Documents and information required for incident reporting Defining requirements of timeliness Relevant government agencies Data for insurance report Insurance company requirements Typical costs due to incidents Range and Context Organisational requirements may include: Local Corporate Legal requirements may include: Workplace Safety & Health (Risk Management) Regulation Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 9
Workplace Safety & Health (Incident Reporting) Regulation Workmen s Compensation Claim Act Interested internal parties which may include : Management Employees Supervisors Safety Committee Union Documents and information required for incident reporting may include: Initial incident notification Initial investigation data Incident interview records Injury and illness data Medical records Chemical release data Fire and explosion data Response data Business impact data Motor vehicle incident data Defining requirements of timeliness may include: Timeframe specified under the respective legal requirements Timeframe required under internal reporting requirements Relevant government agencies may include: Incident involving safety and health of persons at workplace to the Ministry of Manpower Incident involving spillage or release of hazardous substance to the environment National Environmental Agency Data for insurance report: Information about the casualties Facts of the incident Typical costs due to incidents may include: Recovery of the injured Man days lost Insurance claims Evidence Sources Listed below are a few examples about the kind of evidence that would provide a guide as to whether an individual is meeting the standards required to be competent. Work Activities Monitor closure of corrective or preventive measures Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 10
Products and Outcomes Incident reports for government agencies Incident report for insurance company Summary of costs due to incident Verbal and /or Written Reports Discussion on reasonably practicable corrective or preventive measures Discussion on incident reporting Discussion on types of costs due to incidents Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 11