4.

Activities
The OHS Capability Framework defines the role of the OHS
Professional and the OHS Practitioner in terms of OHS-
related activities. These activities are divided into two levels:

• Dimensions – providing the scope of the distin-

guishing boundaries of the roles.
• Domains – describing fields of activity within the
dimensions.

A third level of detail in the form of explanatory comments

for the domain is incorporated in the online tools devel-
oped to support implementation of the Framework.18

Seven dimensions are used to outline the roles of the

OHS Professional and OHS Practitioner:

1. Systems management approach

2. Organizational culture and its impact on OHS
3. OHS risk management processes
4. Measurement and evaluation of OHS performance
5. Knowledge management INSHPO has developed job position builder and self-
6. Communication, engagement and influence assessment tools to support use of the Framework for
7. Professional and ethical practice these purposes. Information on access and availability of
the tools is available at www.inshpo.org.
The activity statements may be used in many contexts:
It should be noted that the scope of application of the
• As a mapping tool to confirm key OHS activities activities is different for the OHS Professional compared
are addressed by one or more OHS specialists in with that of the OHS Practitioner.
the organization
• As a detailed OHS duty statement as part of a posi- OHS Professional: Across the organization, including
tion description site, divisional/regional and corporate; may include lo-
• To create a shared understanding of the role by cal, national or global roles.
incumbents, line and senior managers and others
• As a basis for performance appraisals OHS Practitioner: Usually at a site (workplace) level of
• To identify areas for role expansions and further an SME or a section or site within a large organization.
development of an incumbent. Thus, when considering the Practitioner activities, each
activity should be read as applying “at the local level.”
_____________________
18
Tools available at www.inshpo.org.

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 Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals

Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals

4.1 Activities
OHS Practitioner OHS Professional
Dimension Domain Dimension Domain
1 Systems manage- Support the 1.1 Support implementation of and monitor compliance Lead and support Lead the development of OHS management systems,
ment approach implementation with defined OHS management system, policy and the development policies and procedures. Understand management
of a systems ap- procedures. Builds relationships as a basis for influ- and implementa- systems, policies and procedures in the broader
proach to OHS. ence19 with managers to understand the limitations tion of a systems context of the business as a sociotechnical system
of written safety rules and procedures and to favor approach to OHS. and develop effective, nonbureaucratic management
control through workplace and process design, criti- systems acceptable to all stakeholders.
cal controls and proven competence.
1.2 Contribute to identification of required resources Advise on and facilitate commitment of appropriate
and work within resource framework. resources for sustainably managing OHS.
1.3 Support and motivate line management and supervi- Support and motivate senior management and
sors to provide OHS leadership and through them through them, all people in the organization, to pro-
to influence workers to give appropriate priority to vide OHS leadership and to give appropriate priority
OHS in relation to other operational objectives. to OHS in relation to other business objectives.
1.4 Facilitate, monitor and provide feedback on imple- Facilitate development and utilization of strategic
mentation of operational plans to address and im- and operational plans to address and improve the
prove the controls of OHS hazards, their associated control of OHS hazards, their associated risks and
risks and related costs. related costs.
2 Organizational Support line 2.1 Facilitate, monitor and support management prac- Lead and support Advise managers on appropriate management
culture and its managers, super- tices and projects aimed at achieving an organiza- key influencers, practices to achieve an organizational culture that
impact on OHS visors and work- tional culture focused on OHS. Recognize and sup- including manag- is focused on OHS. Recognize the maturity of the
ers on methods port the increase in the maturity of the organization’s ers, on strategies to organization’s culture and work with managers
to foster and culture and its effect on how to function effectively foster an organiza- as a change agent to increase organizational OHS
monitor a posi- as an OHS Practitioner. tional culture that maturity.
tive OHS culture. 2.2 Support implementation of change processes to
prioritizes OHS.
Facilitate the identification and management of OHS
improve OHS, being aware of the cross-functional implications of organizational change and influence
impacts of change. the change process to minimize adverse effects and
maximize positive effects of the change.
2.3 Engage with supervisors and middle managers to Engage with managers at all levels in the organiza-
develop responsibility and leadership in OHS. tion to develop their responsibility and leadership
in OHS.
2.4 Engage with stakeholders and others to promote in-
novation in managing OHS.
_____________________
19
The term “builds relationships as a basis for influence” is used in preference to “coaching” as coaching implies a power role
rather than empowering. See Section 2 for an explanation of the importance of the terminology.
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Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals

Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals (Continued)
OHS Practitioner OHS Professional
Dimension Domain Dimension Domain
3 OHS risk manage- Support imple- 3.1 Conduct hazard identification in well-known tasks Lead development Develop and implement processes for hazard identi-
ment processes mentation and in sometimes dynamic conditions. of OHS risk man- fication, including those for major risks.
maintenance of agement processes
3.2 Use technical, human factors and other knowledge Use technical, human factors and other theoreti-
routine OHS risk and facilitate and
to identify causation, consequences, possible risk cal knowledge, to research, review and interpret
assessment, con- support their
controls, including critical controls, and potential information on hazards to identify causation, con-
trol and manage- implementation
failure in controls related to the hazards of well- sequences, possible risk controls, including critical
ment processes in and maintenance.
known tasks in sometimes dynamic conditions. controls, and potential failure in controls related to
normal operations
all relevant hazards in all lifecycle phases.
and emergencies.
3.3 Contribute to identification of risk factors and Develop and lead processes to identify risk factors
analysis and prioritization of OHS risks associated and to analyze and prioritize OHS risks with an
with known and routine work processes in familiar emphasis on critical risk.
environments.
3.4 Provide technical information to inform risk analy- Provide technical, organizational and strategic infor-
sis and risk estimation processes. mation to inform risk analysis and risk estimation
processes.
3.5 Provide information on the requirements for com- Provide advice on the strategy requirements for
pliance with detailed, operational-level OHS-related compliance with OHS-related laws and standards.
regulations and standards.
3.6 Take appropriate steps to stop unsafe work. Ensure processes are in place to empower workers to
stop work considered an immediate threat to health
or safety.
3.7 Advise on hazard control for routine and sometimes Advise on cost-effective and efficient hazard con-
complex tasks. trols, including critical controls, and risk mini-
mization/mitigation strategies, taking a lifecycle
approach.
3.8 Advise on and support implementation of efficient Support identification and implementation of critical
controls, including critical controls for effective risk controls for effective OHS risk management and
minimization/mitigation strategies. OHS risk minimization.
3.9 Prepare and check specifications and orders for the
purchase of preventive and protective safety equip-
ment and other physical risk controls.
3.10 Coordinate the issue, testing, availability, use and re-
placement of personal protective and/or emergency
equipment.
3.11 In liaison with operational staff, write and keep up–to- Oversee, evaluate and approve the collection,
date procedures for safe working. development and implementation of safety proce-
dures and documentation, including for emergency
3.12 Write and keep up-to-date documentation for emer-
situations.
gency planning.
 OHS Practitioner OHS Professional
Dimension Domain Dimension Domain
4 Measurement and Support monitor- 4.1 Develop and Facilitate processes to develop criteria for determin-
evaluation of OHS ing and measure- lead processes ing criticality of risk.
performance ment of OHS for monitoring,
4.2 Build relationships with supervisors and managers Develop criteria for monitoring OHS performance
performance. measuring and
to develop their understanding as to why work as that take into account the overall organizational
evaluating OHS
done may differ from documented procedures. goals.
performance.
4.3 Implement activities to monitor OHS performance. Design and implement processes for monitoring
OHS performance at strategic and operational levels.
4.4 Monitor the integrity and effectiveness of controls, Monitor the effectiveness of hazard and risk controls
with an emphasis on critical controls, to identify with an emphasis on critical controls, including
actual and potential failures in control. the identification of actual and potential failure in
controls.
4.5 Coordinate workplace inspection activities to moni-
tor the presence and use of hazard controls.
4.6 Monitor and provide feedback on compliance with
safety-critical procedures.
4.7 Prepare and use equipment to undertake basic mea-
surement and monitoring of the work environment.
4.8 Contribute to monitoring of employees and contrac-
tors’ personnel and their compliance with OHS
requirements.
4.9 Monitor and report on the effectiveness of risk man- Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of
agement and OHS management processes. risk management and OHS management processes
at operational and strategic levels.
4.10 Support processes and procedures to investigate, Implement, monitor and evaluate processes and
analyze, record and report on incidents and non- procedures to investigate, analyze and report on
conformities indicating failures or inadequacies of incidents and nonconformities indicating failures or
controls. inadequacies of controls. Mentor operations person-
nel to participate in incident investigations.
4.11 Participate in OHS hazard and management system Develop, manage, evaluate and improve OHS audit
audits. processes and conduct OHS hazard and manage-
ment system audits.
4.12 Conduct and analyze emergency drills. Develop, evaluate and manage emergency and disas-
ter preparedness.
4.13 Support periodic management reviews to systemati- Support and structure periodic management reviews
cally assess, monitor and identify areas for improve- to systematically assess, monitor and identify areas
ment in the OHS management system and OHS for improvement in the OHS strategy, management
culture. system and OHS culture.
4.14 Make recommendations to improve OHS, including Make recommendations to address identified issues
addressing identified nonconformities to improve and improve OHS management and risk minimiza-
OHS compliance. tion.
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Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals

Table 4: Activity matrix for OHS Practitioners and OHS Professionals (Continued)
OHS Practitioner OHS Professional
Dimension Domain Dimension Domain
5 Knowledge manage- Implement pro- 5.1 Use and maintain data management systems for col- Develop and im- Specify, develop and use data management systems
ment cesses for knowl- lecting information relevant to OHS. plement processes for collecting and validating information relevant to
edge collection for knowledge OHS.
and management collection and
to enable positive 5.2 Collect and keep up-to-date relevant internal and management to Collect and critically evaluate information from
OHS outcomes. external OHS information, regulations, standards, enable positive diverse internal and external sources and databases
good practice and OHS record systems. OHS outcomes. as part of evidence-based practice.
5.3 Collect, collate and interpret information to develop
business cases for OHS improvement strategies and
activities.
5.4 Analyze and apply data to monitor OHS perfor- Analyze and apply data to identify trends and infor-
mance and produce summary reports. mation to monitor and report OHS performance.
6 Communication Communicate, 6.1 Implement OHS-related communication and consulta- Communicate, Develop and implement OHS-related communica-
engagement and engage with and tion processes with stakeholders. engage with and tion and consultation systems and processes engag-
influence influence line and influence decision- ing all stakeholders.
middle manage- makers and other
6.2 ontribute to the preparation of training and informa- Lead and facilitate OHS knowledge and skill develop-
ment, supervisors stakeholders to
tion material to develop OHS skills and awareness in ment, training and understanding of OHS responsibili-
and workers to mitigate risk and
workers and supervisors. ties, obligations and actions required to meet legal and
mitigate risk and optimize worker
risk management requirements.
optimize worker health and safety.
health and safety 6.3 Conduct and support OHS training and skill devel- Support the development and delivery of OHS train-
opment related to OHS for supervisors and workers. ing for all levels in the organization.
6.4 Develop relationships with supervisors and middle Develop relationships with managers to support
managers to support their development in OHS OHS development relevant to their roles.
related to their role.
6.5 Provide varied and up-to-date OHS information to Develop relationships with managers to support
middle managers, supervisors and workers. OHS development relevant to their roles.
6.6 Communicate and liaise with business partners,
OHS regulators and other external bodies on behalf
of the organization.
6.7 Be a “trusted advisor” to influence middle managers, Be a “trusted advisor” to influence management
supervisors and workers. decision making to consider OHS implications.
 OHS Practitioner OHS Professional
Dimension Domain Dimension Domain
7 Professional and Apply legal and 7.1 Comply with laws and regulations governing prac- Promote and apply Promote and comply with laws and regulations
ethical practice ethical standards to tice of OHS and related activities. professional and governing professional practice of OHS and related
practice ethical standards activities.
to practice
7.2 Make decisions and judgments impartially based on Make decisions and judgments impartially based
standards, legislative requirements, OHS knowledge on scientific evidence and verifiable theoretical and
and practice. professional knowledge and practice.
7.3 Operate under the (direct or indirect) direction of an Operate with a level of autonomy to conceptualize,
OHS Professional to implement OHS projects and plan, implement and evaluate OHS projects and risk
risk controls and management processes. control and management processes.
7.4 Observe relevant codes of conduct provided by Observe relevant codes of conduct provided by
professional associations and other assessment and professional associations and other assessment and
advisory bodies nationally. advisory bodies nationally and internationally.
7.5 Ensure that employers and others who may be af- Ensure that clients, employers and others who may
fected by their activities are aware of their levels of be affected by their activities are aware of their levels
OHS competence. Seek specialist support and advice of professional competence. Seek specialist support
where necessary and appropriate. and advice where necessary and appropriate.
7.6 Ensure currency of own OHS technical knowledge and Ensure currency of own OHS conceptual under-
knowledge of industry practice. standing, technical knowledge and industry practice.
7.7 Seek out and form a collaborative relationship with Engage in evidence-informed reflective practice,
an OHS Professional mentor. evaluative activities and professional discussion
with a view to testing ideas through peer appraisal.
Provide mentoring to OHS Practitioners.
7.8 Provide leadership in OHS and act as an exemplar of Provide leadership in OHS and act as an exemplar of
good OHS practice and behavior to peers, coworkers good OHS practice and behavior to peers, coworkers
and the public and the public.
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