Challenge Assessment Details

Introduction 

1.   Safety practice covers a wide range of specialties. There are however, a number of core requirements that all practitioners must be competent in. The challenge assessment is structured into two parts:

  (a) A mandatory core section in which everybody needs to show competence, and,

  (b) Specialties in which a competent safety practitioner should be able to cover a minimum number of optional areas.

2.   Candidates undertaking the challenge assessment will normally have extensive experience gained in the field. The challenge assessment then accepts prior work done, assuming it is of a suitable standard, as proof of competence in that particular field. Indeed, it is expected that the bulk of the ‘assessment' would be a review of such prior work, rather than work undertaken specifically for this assessment .

3.   The challenge assessment is designed to determine whether the candidate's skill and knowledge in the core and specialty areas is equivalent to that of someone who has completed the equivalent standard as a degree in OHS. Therefore, the standard applied to the Challenge Assessment is equivalent to a degree in OHS.

4.   There are external qualifying bodies that can certify competence in particular specialties (even though the qualification may not be sufficient for Membership grade by itself). Examples include OHS Auditor certification, Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training. These qualifications may be accepted as certifying competence in that specialty.

5.   A panel of SIA Fellows has been set up to review the portfolio information provided by candidates and to conduct the oral assessment. This is organised by the College of Fellows .

6.   An Appeals Board has been put in place for addressing any disputes which may arise regarding assessments. The Appeals Board comprises the incumbent SIA National President, SIA National Vice President, The Dean of the College of Fellows and a lawyer appointed to the Board by the Dean, College of Fellows .

 Appeals must be lodged within two (2) weeks of notification of results. Decisions of the Appeals Board are final.

A. Mandatory Core Competency Requirements

Candidates must submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competence in all of the following areas:

1. Ethics - Understand the SIA code of ethics and its application. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application or development of a case study.
2. OHS Law - This may be State/Territory specific and covers enabling legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice and relevant regulatory Guidelines. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
3. Risk Management - covers hazard identification techniques, risk assessments and application of the hierarchy of control. Competence would e identified by demonstration of application.
4. OHS Management Systems and Planning - covers, relevant OHSM, standards, Safety Case, Accident Investigation and Analysis, etc. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application or development of a case.
5. Consultation and Communications - covers understanding of consultation requirements and demonstrating skills in communications, running an OHS committee, etc. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.

The portfolio of evidence should be taken from the candidates work related safety/OHS management activities.

B. Specialist Areas

The candidate must submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competence in any 5 of the following areas:

1. Auditing - able to carry out an OHS Audit, either for regulatory compliance or compliance with an OHS system. Competence may be by certification as an Auditor by a relevant organisation, e.g. QSA
2. Training Development and Delivery - Competence would be through achievement of a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training, or equivalent.
3. Chemical Hazards - covers control of hazardous substances, dangerous goods, toxicology, etc. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
4. Human Factors / Ergonomics - covers ergonomics design and analysis, manual handling hazards identification and control, workplace analysis, etc. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
5. Physical Hazards - covers Electrical Safety, work at heights and depths, Confined Spaces, etc. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
6. Occupational Hygiene - covers recognition, exposure measurement and control of range of hazards including gases, dusts, mists and fumes, Noise and Vibration, Heat and Cold Stress. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
7. Radiation Safety - covers role of Radiation Safety Officer under Health (Radiation Safety) Regulations or equivalent. Competence would be through registration as an RSO.
8. Building / Fire Safety - covers understanding of safety requirements in Building Codes, detection and control of fire hazards, Emergency Management Planning. Competence would be identified by demonstration application.
9. Biological Hazards - covers recognition, evaluation and control of biological hazards including bacteria affecting occupations. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.
10. Rehabilitation - covers return to work after injury, rehabilitation management planning and workers compensation administration. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application, or certification by a workers compensation provider or insurer.
11. Plant Safety - covers safety all plant covered by State Plant Regulations including Lasers. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application or work as a Laser Safety Officer.
12. Transport Safety - covers aviation, road, rail and water transport. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.

Behavioural Safety - includes behaviour modification and safety climate. Also covers psychosocial hazards of bullying, violence and security. Competence would be identified by demonstration of application.

Fees

The Challenge Assessment Program will be run by the SIA College of Fellows.

Course fees of $1,000 will be invoiced, being the cost of application, administration and support services.

Each student is required to pay an assessment fee to the Safety Institute of Australia of $1,000.

This fee can be paid by 3 installments over 6 months:

1. $400 on enrolment
2. $300 within 4 months of commencement
3. $300 within 6 months of commencement

Candidate Support

Candidates applying for the Challenge Assessment are asserting that the knowledge gained from their work and other qualification gained.

The SIA Challenge Assessment is not a training course.  It is an assessment to confirm candidate's accumulative knowledge.

Available for download is the Application for Challenge Assessment Forum and the SIA Challenge Assessment Program - Task Cover Sheet.