PUN301 Occupational Health and Safety Law and Policy

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2020, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This Unit provides an overview of the many different aspects of managing occupational health and safety associated policy and law at an enterprise level.

The Unit focuses on legislative compliance for organisations, the relevant legislation, Codes of Practice and industry standards, as well as how Policy is used to design implementation and verification strategies. In addition, the Unit has an emphasis on preparing the student with the requirements to appropriately analyse and inform employers within the scope of practice of a senior safety advisor/safety manager.

The Unit assessments provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in an organisational context. OHS Professionals are expected to appropriately inform an organisation's senior management (Duty Holders) to assist them in exercising their due diligence. The assessments address both strategic analysis of policy and law, as well as application in response to serious incidents or breaches.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Research OHS Policy and Law and apply it in organisational environments to influence improved decision making by duty holders;
2. Apply relevant Legislation and Standards to verify Safety Management Systems for legislative compliance;
3. Integrate relevant Legislation and Standards across WHS, Industrial Relations, Rehabilitation and other safety related risks in an organisational context.
4. Apply relevant Legislation and Standards for the purpose of managing third party interactions, due diligence and legal proceedings.

Content

Learning Approaches

This Unit will be run using a flexible delivery approach. The integration of theory and practice is achieved by linking the theoretical concepts in the study modules with appropriate readings and activities. Teaching methods include on campus Lectures and workshop, Collaborate online tutorials (i.e. interactive sessions in a virtual classroom) and self-directed learning. A two day workshop will be held to enhance applied knowledge. While this workshop is not a mandatory attendance, it will assist students both in practice and with knowledge for the second assessment case study. External students will be supported via online resources.

The Unit Blackboard site will be used to provide information and resources to students. Information regarding assessment items, study modules, activities, lecture slides, etc. can be accessed via the Blackboard site. Online Discussion Boards will be used throughout the Semester which students are encouraged to contribute towards.

Students are expected to undertake self-directed learning using the study modules and should pace their study in line with the schedule provided on the Blackboard site. The Lectures and Tutorials will generally support the material covered in the study modules. Each module has links to a range of readings/resources that expand on the material in the study module and are in addition to the resources listed below.

Active participation and discussion in Lectures, Collaborate Sessions and Discussion Boards is strongly encouraged to allow for the exchange of ideas between staff and students and to expand upon the theory and knowledge undertaken within the study modules.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Learning feedback will be provided through commentary on assessment items, comments posted on the Discussion Board as well as in class and in response to student queries.

Assessment

Overview

There are two (2) items of assessment in this unit only.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Comprehensive Case Study

You will be required to analyse and critically evaluate an OHS incident, and document your findings and recommendations in a report demonstrating a thorough understanding of Common law and Statute law/OHS law implications. 3000 Words +/- 10%

Assessment: Report

Occupational Health and Safety Management System Evaluation Report. You will be required to analyse and evaluate an OHS management system and write a report, demonstrating a thorough understanding of OHS law and industrial relations in relation to OHS law and management. 3000 Words +/- 10%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

Substantial computer-based work will be required and students should ensure they have a reliable and modern connection to the internet. Students should ensure that their workstations are adjusted in accordance with ergonomic guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.