NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARD WSQ Framework : WSH Professionals Competency Category : Plan and review of WSH Competency Code : WP-PR-302C-1 Competency Unit : Coordinate WSH legal compliance measures Competency Descriptor : On completion of this unit, learner will have the knowledge and skills to coordinate the implementation of WSH legal compliance measures. Competency Level : 3 Credit Value : 1 Version Number : 1.0 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: Coordinate WSH legal compliance measures Summary of Competency Elements 1. Identify and communicate compliance requirements 2. Update organisational WSH legal compliance register 3. Monitor WSH legal compliance status 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 Be able to access relevant legal information online Have a basic knowledge of workplace processes, procedures, activities and practices Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 2
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-PR-302C-1 Competency Level 3 Competency Unit Title Coordinate WSH legal compliance measures Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 1, Identify and communicate compliance requirements Performance Criteria A competent person should be able to successfully perform the following: 1.1 Identify advisory resources for WSH legal and other requirements which are applicable to the organisation. 1.2 Compile and document a legal register that lists the applicable WSH legal requirements in accordance with organisational procedures. 1.3 Check organisational compliance status with applicable WSH legal and other requirements. 1.4 Communicate to stakeholders the compliance status in accordance with organisational procedures. 1.5 Address stakeholders enquires pertaining to WSH legal and other requirements in accordance with organisational procedures. Underpinning Knowledge The candidate needs to know and understand: Advisory resources for WSH legal and other requirements Applicable WSH legal and other requirements WSH legal register Checking of WSH compliance status Communication of compliance status Addressing stakeholders enquires on WSH legal and other requirements Range and Context Advisory resources on WSH legal and other requirements may include: Internal Organisational WSH Officers External Regulatory agencies and their websites Ministry of Manpower on WSH Act National Environmental Agency Singapore Civil Defence Ministry of Health Consultants Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 3
Industrial associations Professional bodies WSH legal and other requirements, which may include: The WSH Act and subsidiary legislation requirements that are applicable to the organisation Other WSH-related legal requirements besides the WSH Act that are applicable to the organisation The Environmental Pollution Control (Hazardous Substance) Regulations Environmental Public Health (Cooling Towers & Water Fountains) Regulations Fire Safety Act and its subsidiary legislation Radiation Protection Act and its subsidiary legislation Workmen Compensation Act and its subsidiary legislation Biological Agents and Toxins Act 2005 and its subsidiary legislation Relevant Singapore Standards and Code of Practices approved by Ministry of Manpower in accordance with section 39 (3) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act Compile and document of legal register, which may include: Setting up format of the legal register Organising and listing the applicable WSH legal requirements Legal register, which may include: List of legal and other requirements applicable to the organisation Organisation activities, products or services for which the requirements apply Indication of currency of the register, such as date of review Checking of organisational compliance status, which may include: Inspection Documentation review Compliance audit Communicate compliance status through channels, which may include: Meetings Feedback sessions Emails Reports Ways to address stakeholder enquires which may include: Interpret and explain the WSH legal and other requirements Direct the enquires to relevant competent persons Direct the stakeholders to relevant resources may include: Organisational legal register Websites Legal documents Books Stakeholder enquiries may include: Interpretation of legal requirements Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 4
Implication of legal requirements Impact of the legal requirements to their operations Ways to verify compliance Compliance status Actions required to comply Stakeholders who may include: Employers Various departments within the organisation Employees Contractors General public 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 Arranging for the identification of applicable WSH legal and other requirements Explaining the relevance of the WSH legal and other requirements to relevant stakeholders Clarifying with relevant government agencies on the interpretation of the legal and other requirements Communicating to the stakeholders on compliance status Products and Outcomes Inspection report Compliance audit report Legal register Written and/or Verbal Report List the resources available for advice on WSH legal and other requirements List the items in WSH legal register Interpret applicable WSH legal and other requirements Report on WSH compliance status Discuss items in the compliance status report List ways of addressing stakeholders enquires on WSH legal and other requirements Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 5
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-PR-302C-1 Competency Level 3 Competency Unit Title Coordinate WSH legal compliance measures Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 2 Update organisational WSH legal register Performance Criteria A competent person should be able to successfully perform the following: 2.1 Obtain updates on amendments or new WSH legal and other requirements in accordance with organisational procedures. 2.2 Communicate the impact of amended or new legal and other requirements to the organisation. 2.3 Determine the necessary actions to be taken by the organisation to comply with amended or new WSH legal and other requirements. 2.4 Record updates on the organisational legal register of applicable WSH legal and other requirements to keep it current. 2.5 Communicate to relevant stakeholders the amended or new requirements and the necessary actions to stay in compliance. Underpinning Knowledge The candidate needs to know and understand: Means of obtaining updates to amendment or new WSH legal requirements Impact of amended or new legal and other requirements Legal register Communication channels for management and relevant stakeholders Range and Context Means of obtaining updates on amended or new WSH legal and other requirements, which may include: Regulatory agencies and their websites Singapore National Printers Government agencies and their websites Newspaper and other media Professional bodies and industrial associations Legal update services Advisory parties for impact of amended or new legal and other requirements may include: Government agencies Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 6
Professional bodies and industrial associations Relevant competent persons Necessary actions to comply with amended or new legal requirements may include: Gather the new or amended WSH legal and other requirements Conduct gap analysis Suggest gap-closing solutions Follow-up verification of compliance status to the relevant requirements Communicate the impact of amended or new legal and other requirements through various channels, which may include: Meetings Feedback sessions Emails Reports Stakeholders who may include: Superiors Management Employers Various departments within the organisation Employees Contractors Suppliers General public 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 Communicating to management and relevant stakeholders the amended or new requirements and the necessary actions to stay in compliance Determining the impact of amended or new requirements to the organisation Products and Outcomes Updated legal register Recommendations of actions for compliance Written and/or Verbal Report Discuss on interpretation and explaining the implications of WSH legal and other requirements Discuss on means of obtaining legal updates Recommendations of follow-up actions Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower. Version 1.0. 7
National Competency Standard Competency Unit Code WP-PR-302C-1 Competency Level 3 Competency Unit Title Coordinate WSH legal compliance measures Description of Competency Element Competency Element Title 3 Monitor WSH legal compliance status Performance Criteria A competent person should be able to successfully perform the following: 3.1 Monitor permit and licence statuses to ensure their continual validity. 3.2 Apply for renewal of WSH permits, licences and written consent from relevant government agencies in accordance with legal requirements. 3.3 Coordinate preparation and submission of reports required by the WSH Act and other regulations. 3.4 Coordinate communication with government agencies on compliance issues to maintain WSH compliance. 3.5 Assist in hosting governmental agencies visits and inspections at the workplace in accordance with organisational procedures. 3.6 Maintain proper records of WSH legal documents in accordance with organisational procedures. 3.7 Coordinate compliance audit at the workplace in accordance with organisational procedures. Underpinning Knowledge The candidate needs to know and understand: Types of WSH permit and licensing requirements applicable to organisation s activities, products and services Relevant government agencies Relevant WSH permit and licences issuing government agencies Procedures for application of WSH permit and licences Hosting governmental agencies visits Maintenance of legal documents Process of compliance audit Range and Context Types of WSH permits, licences and written consent, which may include: Factories Permit Lifting equipment registration Pressure vessel registration Hazardous substance permit / licence Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 8
Fire Safety licences Fire Safety Certifications Radiation licences Government agencies, which may include: Ministry of Manpower for WSH Act requirements National Environmental Agency for Hazardous Substances Singapore Civil Defence Force for building fire safety, petroleum and flammable materials Health Science Authority for radiation licences Reports required by WSH Act and other regulations may include: Noise monitoring report Medical examination reports Air sampling reports Risk register Accident reports Emergency response plan Inspection and audit reports Training records Compliance issues may include: Submission of reports and applications Seeking wavier or temporary permits Clarifying legal requirements Arranging inspections, surveillance, visits and accident investigation Arranging briefing, awareness and training sessions Host governmental agency visits and inspections which may include: Arranging date, time and venue for government agencies visits and inspections Arranging the presence of responsible persons relevant to the purpose of the visit or inspection Assisting the recording of action items required for compliance Assisting on tracking for closure of action items Assist in follow up response to the relevant government agencies conducting the visit or inspection Proper records of WSH legal documents, which may include: Permits and licences Correspondence with government agencies Training records Noise monitoring reports Medical examination reports Air sampling reports Emergency response plan Accident reporting records Monitor permit and licenses status, which may include: Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 9
Validity of permit and licenses Requirements and conditions under the permit and licenses Verification of compliance with the requirements under the permit or license Compliance audit, which may include: Arranging for the audit schedule Arranging for competent auditor Coordinate audit meetings Conduct of audit Follow up on audit report and corrective / preventive actions 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 Applying for relevant permit and licences Submitting relevant reports to the government agencies Arranging for medical surveillance, noise monitoring and air sampling. Hosting government agencies visits and inspections in an effective manner Keeping proper WSH records Communicating effectively to relevant government agencies. Coordinating a compliance audit Identifying external resource necessary to ensure compliance Products and Outcomes Approved permit and licence Noise monitoring report Air sampling reports Medical examination reports Correspondence with government agencies Inspection and audit report Government agencies visit and inspection reports Accident reporting records List of identified external resources Written and/or Verbal Report Answer questions on WSH permit, licensing and reporting submission requirements Answer questions on relevant WSH permit license issuing governmental agencies Discuss on procedure for application of WSH permits and license Discuss on ways of coordinating compliance audit Discuss on WHS record keeping and compliance monitoring Describe organisational hosting procedure for government agencies Copyright 2007 Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Version 1.0. 10