The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what-if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk- throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate action. The emphasis should be on the ability to minimise the affect of an emergency situation.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

early warning signs of equipment in need of servicing are recognised

equipment is always 'made ready'

equipment is always stored in the designated location at all times when not in use

access to equipment is available at all times when not in use.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus, with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and extreme situations that may have been generated from the past incident history of the plant, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities (eg HAZOP) and similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork, OHS and communication units.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills

hand skills

follow procedures

observation

completing records

assembling and operating various pieces of emergency response equipment

servicing various pieces of emergency response equipment

storing various pieces of emergency response equipment.

Required knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of the emergency response procedures and equipment, sufficient to recognise standard and non-standard situations with regards to the equipment used, and then determine the appropriate action which is consistent with operating guidelines. These include:

principles of operation of the emergency response equipment

hazards policies and procedures

emergency, fire and accident procedures.

Knowledge of the relevant OHS and environmental requirements, and enterprise standard operating procedures (SOPs), along with an ability to implement them in a manner that is relevant to emergency response practices. These include procedures for the use of personal protective clothing and equipment.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice/ standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This unit of competency includes all items of equipment that are required for emergency response.

Emergency response equipment

Emergency response equipment may include:

fire extinguishers

fire hoses

fire blankets

pumps

branches, fittings and nozzles

foam equipment/units

personal protective clothing

breathing apparatus

deluge/safety showers.

Functions

Required functions include:

inspections

visual

mechanical

servicing

lubrication

pressure checks

refilling

communication

maintenance

external authorities.

Hazards

Hazards may include:

chemicals and hazardous materials

gases and liquids under pressure

moving machinery

materials handling

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or

environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours.

Emergency situations

Emergency situations may include:

accidents

fires

chemical or oil spills

gas leak or vapour emission

utilities failure

bomb scares.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.