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 that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Where applicable, assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible. Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible. Consistency of performance should be maintained over the required range of workplace situations until renewal of competence/license is required by the industry/organisation.

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

Competence may be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a First Aid team.

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 and communication units.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other OHS 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

Correct use/application of First Aid principles and procedures including:

resuscitation

the use of semi automated defibrillator

delivery of oxygen

adequate infection control procedures

safe manual handling

consideration of the welfare of the casualty

initial casualty assessment

incident management

infection control

bleeding control

airway management

care of unconscious.

Use of various First Aid resources and equipment.

Communication skills, including:

use of various communication systems, eg two way radios, mobile and satellite phones, etc

report preparation

the ability to interpret and use required forms/documentation.

Leadership and decision making ability

Required knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of basic life support principles and measures sufficient to recognise emergency situations and then determine appropriate action within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies. These include:

basic anatomy and physiology

respiratory/circulatory system

basic toxicology.

Knowledge of relevant State and Territory regulatory requirements, occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and regulations, and company standard operating procedures (SOPs). These include:

legal responsibilities and duty of care

how to gain access to and interpret material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

debriefing counselling procedures

dealing with social problems and confidentiality

capabilities of emergency management services

transport facilities.

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

First Aid management will need to account for:

workplace policies and procedures

industry/site specific regulations, codes etc

OHS requirements

State and Territory workplace health and safety requirements

allergies casualty may have.

Hazards

Physical hazards may include:

workplace hazards

environmental hazards

proximity of other people

hazards associated with casualty management process.

Risks

Risks may include:

worksite equipment, machinery and substances

First Aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)

environmental risks

bodily fluids

risk of further injury to the casualty

risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders.

Injuries and conditions managed

Casualty condition is managed for:

abdominal injuries

allergic reactions

bleeding

burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical

cardiac conditions

chemical contamination

cold injuries

crush injuries

dislocations

drowning

envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites

environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke

epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions

eye injuries

fractures

head injuries

insect/marine bites

minor skin injuries

neck and spinal injuries

needle stick injuries

poisoning and toxic substances

respiratory management of asthma and/or choking

shock

smoke inhalation

soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations

substance abuse, illicit drugs

unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse.

First Aid responses

First Aid management may include:

administration of analgesic gases

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

infection control

semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)

expired air resuscitation (EAR).

First Aid principles

Established First Aid principles include:

checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger

checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

Variables

First Aid management will need to account for:

location and nature of the workplace

the environmental conditions, eg electricity, biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents

location of emergency service personnel

the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources

infection control.

Medication

Medication may include:

oxygen

pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with State and Territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)

asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from First Aid kit in accordance with State and Territory legislation

severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime

heart attack - aspirin.

Resources and equipment

Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:

blood pressure cuff

oxygen resuscitation/cylinders

defibrillation units

pressure bandages

thermometers

injections

backboards

stretchers

soft bag resuscitator

First Aid kits

eyewash

thermal blankets

pocket face masks

rubber gloves

dressing

spacer device

cervical collars.

Communication systems

Communication systems may include but are not limited to:

mobile phones

satellite phones

HF/VHF radio

flags

flares

two-way radio

email

electronic equipment.

Documentation

Documentation may cover:

time

fluid intake/output

blood

vomit

faeces

urine

administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose

vital signs.

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.