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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Check existing communications systems
   • Check that the available communications systems are operable
   • Ensure that personnel are available and trained to use the existing facilities
   • Ensure that recording systems are in place to enable accurate recording of data
2. Provide necessary communications systems
   • Identify stakeholders in the incident management process
   • Identify the communication needs of these stakeholders
   • Plan for the acquisition and deployment of the systems necessary to provide the communication needs
   • Acquire, set up and put into operation the communications systems as required
   • Allocate and train personnel, as required, to support the communication systems provided
3. Prepare contingency plans
   • Review the incident information available to estimate possible future communication requirements
   • Prepare contingency plans for communication requirements, including all equipment, facilities, resources and people
   • Manage the contingency plan to ensure that systems are provided, as required
   • Review and update the requirements throughout the incident
4. Keep a record of the incident
   • Maintain a chronological record of the incident, the needs, resources and solutions as the incident progresses
   • Prepare a report, including recommendations for the future, at the conclusion of the incident
5. Control hazards concerned with the communications systems
   • Identify hazards in the work environment
   • Assess the risks arising from those hazards
   • Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures and duty of care
6. Respond to problems
   • Identify possible problems in equipment or process
   • Determine which problems need action
   • Determine possible fault causes
   • Rectify problems using solutions within area of responsibility
   • Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
   • Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory 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.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
Hazards	Hazards include one or more of the following: intrinsically safe equipment internet security and hacking threats heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards electricity equipment failures flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel extreme weather other hazards that might arise Identifying risks requires consideration of specific hazards and: what level of harm can occur how harm can occur (various chains of events that could result in harm from the hazard) the likelihood that harm will occur
Communication systems	Communication systems include one or more of the following: telephone equipment, such as handsets, switchboards, satellites and lines mobile phones texts and messaging fax machines video conferencing messaging/paging options computers internet email Facebook, Twitter and other social media radio systems (HF and VHF) printers, copiers and supplies
Problems	Problems include one or more of the following: damage to existing infrastructure lack of availability of equipment and resources lack of specialised and/or trained people volume of communications being received

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

identify hazards and risks and implement risk controls

manage and coordinate human and physical resources to meet communications needs

plan for contingencies, monitor communication requirements and availability, and implement contingency plans as required

prioritise and respond to communications requests and requirements

react appropriately under stress

complete written records

provide written and verbal reports

evaluate the communications systems, activities and resources after an incident and make recommendations for the future.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

incident, fire and accident

communication systems

emergency response plans

skills development and training

acquisitions and purchasing

reporting requirements

internal and external stakeholders and their typical incident communication needs

types of communication equipment and systems and their application

problem-solving techniques

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

risks

appropriate risk controls

contingency planning.

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