HSE Competence Handbook

Assessor Guide

MSE12

Probing Questions (Exploring Evidence):

Six questioning friends (co called 5WH ):

How did you go about that task.. ?

How Who gave you guidance on what to do ..?
Who What was your personal role in the project …?
What What improvements did you achieve… ?
When What problems did you have to solve ?
Where When did you last carry out such a task ?
Why Where did you go to find info on…?
Why did you do it that way …?

Notice the emphasis on ‘you’.

HSE Competence Assessment Training

Competence/MSE12/Ver0/Sunday, July 12, 2015 1

Contents
HSE Competence Assessment - 10 Point Checklist for Assessor ................................. 3
HSE Competence Assessment – Guidance on S/K/A.................................................... 4
HSE Competence Elements – Scope of each competence element ............................... 5
Competence Elements (Lead, Prepare, Apply) .............................................................. 9
Appendix ‘A’ – Ref: CP122 PDO 8 elements of HSEMS........................................... 10
12 HSE Elements for HSE Professionals–- ................................................................. 10
Assessment record model ............................................................................................ 10

Competence/MSE12/Ver0/Sunday, July 12, 2015 2

HSE Competence Assessment - 10 Point Checklist for
Assessor

Have your received the Request for Assessment?

Has the Candidate completed the SAP Self Assessment?
Has the candidate completed the Assessment with his/her line
manager?
Has the candidate approached the HSE Line for assistance?
Has the candidate named the HSE support in the SAP system?
Is the candidate prepared, has the evidence for SKILL level been
posted in SAP, including a current CV?
Is a coaching/evidence checking session required with the candidate?
Has a date been set for the assessment?
Depending on location take a back-up hard copy of the Assessment in
case the SAP in not working?
Ensure that when the assessment is complete it is sent in SAP back to
the Supervisor or Scan (soft) copy email to Supervisor?

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HSE Competence Assessment – Guidance on S/K/A
Awareness : has a sound understanding of what the activities in any
particular competence element involve, what their importance is for the
business and their relevance for his/her own job; can explain what key terms
related to the activities mean, what are some of the most important company
requirements and processes and where information and expertise can be
found.

Evidence required for Awareness: very brief statement, referring to CV as

appropriate, of where/how the awareness was gained

Knowledge: has a more in-depth grasp of what the activities in any particular
competence element involve, such that he/she has a sound grasp of the
principles and terminology, could hold an informed discussion/debate on
related subjects with an expert; has probably participated in some of the key
activities as a team member or contributor to a project.

Evidence required for Knowledge: two to three bullet points, referring to CV

as appropriate, of where/how the Knowledge was gained and/or where/how
you have participated in the activities described in the competence element

Skill: has taken a leading and independent role in undertaking the key
activities described in the competence element; has successfully carried out
those activities to deliver improvement and/or solve problems; has provided
guidance and advice to others on how to carry out and/or solve problems
involving those activities.

Evidence required for Skill: three to four meaningful examples (referring to

your CV as appropriate) of when/how you personally took a leading role in
successful carrying out of the activities involved and/or provided advice or
solved problems.

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HSE Competence Elements – Scope of each competence
element
The scope of each HSE Competence Element is given below together with the specific
competence criteria (Proof Points), which have to be satisfied in order to meet the
requirements at each Proficiency Level (Awareness, Knowledge, Skill).

Competence Element HSE-1 - HSE Lead: Lead HSE Risk Management

A. Overall Requirement Summary
Can deliver continuous improvement of HSE performance through pro-active HSE
management, relentless pursuit of adherence to policy and standards, exemplary personal
leadership behaviour, provision of appropriate organisation and resources, and systematic
review of effectiveness.

B. Specific activities covered by the scope of HSE Lead are:

i. Be mindful of HSE risks and drive the consistent application of PDO’s HSE MS,
systematically reviewing its effectiveness and taking corrective action as necessary.
ii. Demonstrate visible and felt leadership by communicating a clear vision, setting and
championing challenging performance goals (such as Goal Zero) and consistently
demonstrating the importance of HSE via personal involvement, visibility, decisions and
actions.
iii. Motivate, coach and develop staff and contractors towards improving HSE culture and
behaviours through promotion of the Golden Rules and personal example as a role model.
iv. Deliver compliance with applicable laws, regulations and PDO HSE requirements,
applying consistent Consequence Management.
v. Engage with stakeholders and set long-term HSE objectives in line with expectations whilst
adhering to HSE Policy. Take ownership of HSE input to the PDO Annual Assurance Letter.

C. Specific Requirements for Each Proficiency Level (‘Proof Points’)

Awareness
Can describe in basic terms:

• Why good HSE management is good for business performance.

• PDO’s HSE Commitment, Golden Rules and Life Saving Rules and how non-compliance is
managed.
• What personal attitudes and behaviours are important for achieving high HSE performance.
• What they personally do to be a good HSE example to others and to promote achievement
of HSE goals in their own part of the business.
• The main HSE issues of their own part of the business and what is being done to resolve
them.
• The HSE objectives of their own part of the business and what is being done to meet them.
• What inspection and audit processes are applied to HSE?

Knowledge
Demonstrates:

• A sound knowledge of own responsibilities and those of his/her team in making the PDO
HSE Management System live and effective.
• The importance of providing consistent personal leadership to influence the HSE behaviour
and performance of PDO and/or contractor staff under his/her responsibility.
• A sound knowledge and consistent application of the tools and techniques (e.g. STOP, Life
Saving Rules) used by PDO to build a positive HSE culture.
• A sound knowledge of how consequence management is applied for those who break rules
and those who create the conditions for non-compliance.
• A sound knowledge of how the effectiveness of application of the HSE MS is assessed in
their own part of the business (via e.g. Assurance and Management Review).

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Skill
Can provide examples of having taken a leading role in:

• Establishing and effectively communicating HSE priorities and clear long-term goals to staff
and contractors.
• Assessing HSE performance and culture amongst staff and/or contractors and implementing
actions, which have resulted in improvement?
• Demonstrating priority to safety despite cost and/or schedule pressures.
• Establishing and maintaining the resources (organizational and financial) required for
effective HSE risk management within own organisation.
• Engaging effectively with own staff and/or contractors to encourage effective implementation
of expected standards and procedures.
• Applying recognition/reward and performance management to positively influence HSE
behaviour.
• Reviewing of the effectiveness of the implementation of the HSE MS in own or contractors’
organisations (including providing input to the HSE aspects of the Business Assurance Letter,
where appropriate).
• Coaching and mentoring staff and/or contractors in providing HSE Leadership.

Competence Element HSE-2 - HSE Prepare: Prepare HSE Risk Management

A. Overall Requirement Summary
Can identify and assess HSE risks systematically and define the standards, plans,
procedures and resources necessary to manage them.

B. Specific activities covered by the scope of HSE Prepare are:

i. Identify the HSE hazards and assess the potential consequences.
ii. Define the barriers required to control the identified HSE hazards and the recovery
measures needed.
iii. Select, establish and maintain the required resources, standards and procedures to
manage business, personal and process HSE risks (including during change and across
organisational interfaces).
iv. Identify those positions (HSE Critical Positions) responsible for the implementation or
management of controls to prevent significant incidents and maintain adequate competence.
v. Establish HSE action plans and targets integrated within overall business plans.
vi. Establish required emergency response capability and plans.
vii. Establish Risk based audit plans to assure compliance with relevant standards and
requirements.

C. Specific Requirements for Each Proficiency Level (‘Proof Points’)

Awareness
Can describe in basic terms:

• The meaning of basic HSE risk management terminology such as risk, hazards, threats,
Consequences, escalation factors, controls, Bow-Tie and HSE Case.
• How the Risk Assessment Matrix [RAM] is used to assess HSE risk.
• What ‘As Low As Reasonably Practicable’ [ALARP] means in relation to HSE risk
management?
• What mandatory HSE training/licensing is required for own position and those under his/her
supervision.
• The most important HSE Laws, Regulations, Standards and Procedures used for
Risk Management in own business area.
• The current HSE objectives, targets and action plan of own organisation.
• The different kinds of HSE emergencies that can occur in own organisation.

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Knowledge
Demonstrates:

• A sound knowledge and practical experience in applying one or more of the techniques
used to identify and assess hazards and effects, e.g. Hazard Identification [HAZID], Hazard
and Operability assessment [HAZOP], Job Hazard Analysis [JHA], Health Risk Assessment
[HRA], Quantitative Risk Assessment [QRA], Environmental and Health Impact Assessments,
‘Bow-tie’ analysis.
• A sound knowledge of the different risk reduction measures/controls that can be used to
achieve ALARP.
• A sound knowledge of the purpose, structure and content of an HSE Case (or equivalent)
and how it relates to the HSE MS.
• A sound knowledge and practical experience in applying the principal standards/procedures
that are in place for HSE risk management in own organisation.
• That the HSE training and licensing requirements for own position other positions for which
he/she is responsible have been met.
• A sound knowledge of the key issues to be considered when managing HSE risks across
interfaces between different organisations (e.g. contractors).
• A sound knowledge of the potential HSE risks associated with changes to organisation,
plant and procedures.
• A sound knowledge of how HSE risk management is incorporated into business and work
plans in own organisation.
• A sound knowledge of the Emergency Response needs and plans in own organization, own
role and the roles of those under his/her supervision in executing those plans.
• A sound knowledge of the HSE inspection and audit requirements in own business area and
how they are carried out.

Skill
Can provide examples of having taken a leading role in:

• Establishing the necessary HSE Risk Management processes in own organisation.

• Challenging risk reduction measures identified in HEMP exercises to ensure they achieve
ALARP.
• Explaining the key aspects of the HSE Case for own organisation including the use of
Hazard Registers, bases of ALARP decisions, Activity Control Sheets etc.
• Establishing and maintaining the adequacy of resources needed to implement necessary
HSE controls and to meet the mandatory HSE requirements (incl. Laws and Regulations)
relating to own organisation.
• Ensuring that roles and responsibilities related to HSE are clearly defined for own
organization and that HSE-related competence of own staff and contractors is assured.
• Establishing the controls needed to manage contracts with companies performing work
involving HSE Critical Activities.
• Produce HSE plans including targets, actions and resources consistent with strategic HSE
objectives.
• Establishing and maintaining the Operating Procedures necessary for effective HSE risk
control.
• Implementing and maintaining effective Change Management procedures to ensure HSE
risks are maintained at ALARP level.
• Establishing and maintaining Emergency Response plans, procedures and equipment and
regularly testing their effectiveness.
• Ensuring integrated risk-based internal HSE inspection and audit plans are in place for own
activity together with action tracking processes.

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Competence Element HSE-3 - HSE Apply: Apply HSE Risk Management
A. Overall Requirement Summary
Can implement the HSE MS, standards, procedures, action plans and risk management
controls to deliver continuous improvement of HSE performance.

B. Specific activities covered by the scope of HSE Apply are:

i. Manage HSE risks in accordance with the HSE Management System.
ii. Establish safe systems of work so that risk remains As Low as Reasonably Practicable.
iii. Monitor and review activities and performance to ensure effective implementation of
controls and take corrective action.
iv. Report and investigate incidents, take corrective action and share learning.
v. Participate in relevant site visits, inspections and internal audits to confirm that risk controls
are in place and effective, and implement agreed actions.
vi. Manage emergency situations in accordance with established plans.

Awareness
Can describe in basic terms:

• Personal HSE roles and responsibilities.

• The principal HSE hazards and risks present in own area of activity, their potential effects
and how they are being controlled.
• The key HSE regulations and procedures, that have to be followed in own area of activity.
• The safe systems of work (e.g. Job Hazard Analysis, Permit To Work) being used to
manage hazards in routine and non-routine tasks in own area of activity.
• The status of compliance with mandatory HSE training/licensing requirements for own
position and those under his/her supervision.
• How the HSE performance of own organisation is measured, what trending is reviewed, and
how well is it performing.
• How and why incidents have to be reported and investigated.
• The different types of HSE inspections and audits performed within own organisation and
their purpose.
• What types of emergencies may arise in own business area and what his/her personal role
is in responding to them.

Knowledge
Demonstrates:

• A sound knowledge of own responsibilities for managing HSE Critical Activities identified in
the HSE Case or HSE MS.
• A sound knowledge of and practical experience in applying Job Hazard Analysis and Permit
to Work Systems to provide a Safe System of Work for tasks under own responsibility.
• A sound knowledge of and practical experience in reviewing and evaluating work plans to
address worksite HSE hazards and ensure controls are fully adequate.
• Experience in using appropriate sources information (e.g. inspections, incident reports,
safety audits, workforce consultation, change control, etc.) to prompt improvements in the
Safe Systems of Work
• A sound knowledge of the HSE performance data gathered in own organization, typical
reports generated to meet both company and regulatory requirements and how actions are
taken to address underperformance.
• A sound knowledge of and practical experience in applying the PDO requirements for
incident reporting, investigation and learning
• Has practical experience of how incident investigation is carried out to identify root causes
using appropriate tools e.g. TRIPOD or other model.
• A sound knowledge of and practical experience in using HSE inspections and audits to
monitor implementation of standards and procedures.
• A sound knowledge of the Emergency Response process in own organization, own role and
the roles of the key players within it.

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Skill
Can provide examples of having taken a leading role in:

• Ensuring HSE-MS requirements and identified risk control measures are effectively
implemented within own organisation.
• Ensuring necessary processes and procedures are in place to provide Safe Systems of Work
for activity under own responsibility.
• Reviewing and evaluating work plans and procedures to address worksite HSE hazards and
improve risk management using the hierarchy of controls.
• Managing organizational or operational changes; assessing and mitigating their potential
effects on HSE risks and controls.
• Conducting periodic site safety inspections or audits to monitor the effectiveness of the
controls in operation and instituting changes to maintain a Safe System of Work.
• Evaluating HSE performance data for staff and contractors to identify underlying trends and
implement corrective action plans.
• Carrying out incident investigations in line with PDO requirements, reviewing findings and
ensuring close out of actions.
• Managing and directing others during emergency response [real or exercise].

Competence Elements (Lead, Prepare, Apply)

Competence JCP SELF Assessor Questions Assessor’s Comments
Element Requirement Assess Asked
ment
LEAD Provide Leadership in HSE
PREPARE Prepare Effective Management of HSE
APPLY Apply Effective Management of HSE

Evidence and the degree of Evidence needed to be documented:

Type of
Number of References Documentary
References required in Evidence
Competency
recording tool

Awareness NIL NIL Not Required

Knowledge 1 or 2 ‘CARS’ May be required

Brief reference for JCP with
SKILL elements

SKILL As required ‘CARS’ Required on

Specific Request
References to (auditable)
demonstrate
Delivery in the
competency
activity area

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Appendix ‘A’ – Ref: CP122 PDO 8 elements of HSEMS
12 HSE Elements for HSE Professionals–-
Assessment record model
Leadership (L) Prepare (P) Apply (A)

Competence Element JCP SELF Assessor Questions Assessor’s

Requirement Assessment Asked Comments
1 HSE Leadership Above?
and Commitment Meet?
(L) Below?
2 HSE Policy and Requirement
Strategic Objectives and action
(L) as required
3 Organisation,
responsibilities and
resources & HSE
standards (L)
4 HSE Risk
Management
Framework(A)
a. HEMP (P)
b.
c. Emergency
Planning
d. Safe Systems
of
Work/Personal
Safety(A)
5 Integrate HSE into
business plans and
procedures
6 HSE Performance
Management (A)
a. Incident
Classification
and
investigation
reporting (A)
7 HSE Audit (A)

8 HSE Management
review (L)

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 Giving Feedback
• Share your preliminary conclusion after discussion of each
competence element:
– competence level; any gap you believe exists; actions to fill the gap;
any issues with job requirement;
– If you are uncertain, say so and what you will do to reach a conclusion
• Gap Filling Actions:
1. Awareness/Knowledge:
• Formal training;
• Self Learning (SOU)
• Reading Documents
• Participating
2. Skill
• What hasn’t been proven ? How can this be done on the job ? What actions
need to be taken ? What needs to be delivered ? Who can help ?

HSE Competence Assessment Training

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