Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

POLFOR023 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Maintain a safe forensic working environment

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency POLFOR023 - Maintain a safe forensic working environment
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills required to maintain a safe working environment while working in a forensic role. This includes the assessment of situational risks and hazards, the safe use of equipment and consumables, and the development of risk mitigation strategies. It may be applied in the field at incident/crime scenes or in a laboratory.This unit applies to those working as police staff involved in forensic examination. The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to work health and safety (WHS). Those undertaking this role would work independently while remaining responsible for reporting to senior staff. They would demonstrate adaptability across a broad range of contexts. while performing a range of complex tasks.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Forensics
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify potential health/safety risks
  • Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies.
  • Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels.
  • Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard.
  • Control hazards to minimise exposure.
  • Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders.
  • Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals.
       
Element: Identify specialist/external agency requirements
  • Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance.
  • Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards.
       
Element: Use protective clothing and safety equipment
  • Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards.
  • Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability.
  • Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs.
       
Element: Apply collection/packaging procedures safely
  • Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits.
  • Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage.
       
Element: Use equipment and substances
  • Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances.
  • Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment.
  • Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair.
  • Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times.
  • Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes.
  • Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible.
  • Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken.
  • Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks.
  • Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements.
       
Element: Identify potential health/safety risks
  • Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies.
  • Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels.
  • Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard.
  • Control hazards to minimise exposure.
  • Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders.
  • Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals.
       
Element: Identify specialist/external agency requirements
  • Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance.
  • Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards.
       
Element: Use protective clothing and safety equipment
  • Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards.
  • Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability.
  • Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs.
       
Element: Apply collection/packaging procedures safely
  • Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits.
  • Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage.
       
Element: Use equipment and substances
  • Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances.
  • Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment.
  • Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair.
  • Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times.
  • Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes.
  • Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible.
  • Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken.
  • Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks.
  • Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Identify potential health/safety risks

1.1 Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies.

1.2 Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels.

1.3 Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard.

1.4 Control hazards to minimise exposure.

1.5 Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders.

1.6 Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals.

2. Identify specialist/external agency requirements

2.1 Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance.

2.2 Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards.

3. Use protective clothing and safety equipment

3.1 Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards.

3.2 Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability.

3.3 Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs.

4. Apply collection/packaging procedures safely

4.1 Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits.

4.2 Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage.

5. Use equipment and substances

5.1 Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances.

5.2 Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment.

5.3 Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair.

5.4 Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times.

5.5 Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes.

5.6 Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible.

5.7 Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken.

5.8 Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks.

5.9 Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

identifying safety risks to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies

communicating safety issues and concerns to stakeholders

identifying specialist/external agency requirements to maintain a safe working environment

selecting, using and maintaining personal protective equipment to minimise exposure to hazards

collecting and packaging items using safe work practices

identifying and documenting hazards relating to substances and equipment

using, storing, maintaining and disposing of substances and equipment

decontaminating workspaces and equipment

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

jurisdictional legislation, policies and procedures relating to forensic examination, workplace health and safety and equipment maintenance regimes

risk mitigation strategies

general duty of care responsibilities

potential risks associated with field and laboratory activities

hazardous chemicals and the associated risks

operational equipment and safety clothing

packaging procedures

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Identify potential health/safety risks

1.1 Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies.

1.2 Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels.

1.3 Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard.

1.4 Control hazards to minimise exposure.

1.5 Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders.

1.6 Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals.

2. Identify specialist/external agency requirements

2.1 Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance.

2.2 Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards.

3. Use protective clothing and safety equipment

3.1 Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards.

3.2 Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability.

3.3 Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs.

4. Apply collection/packaging procedures safely

4.1 Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits.

4.2 Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage.

5. Use equipment and substances

5.1 Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances.

5.2 Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment.

5.3 Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair.

5.4 Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times.

5.5 Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes.

5.6 Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible.

5.7 Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken.

5.8 Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks.

5.9 Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies. 
Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels. 
Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard. 
Control hazards to minimise exposure. 
Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders. 
Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals. 
Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance. 
Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards. 
Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards. 
Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability. 
Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs. 
Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits. 
Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage. 
Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances. 
Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment. 
Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair. 
Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times. 
Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes. 
Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible. 
Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken. 
Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks. 
Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements. 
Identify potential physical, chemical and biological hazards to develop risk management strategies. 
Apply WHS guidelines to contain/control exposure levels. 
Identify personnel and members of the public at risk of exposure to communicate potential hazard. 
Control hazards to minimise exposure. 
Report WHS hazards, incidents or near misses to notify stakeholders. 
Assess forensic situation to identify considerations for potential referrals. 
Assess need for specialist and/or external agency assistance. 
Access specialist/external agencies and other relevant personnel in order to respond to hazards. 
Identify protective clothing and safety equipment required to minimise exposure to hazards. 
Maintain protective clothing and safety equipment to facilitate accessibility and usability. 
Replace protective clothing and safety equipment in accordance with jurisdictional replacement programs. 
Identify safe collection and packaging procedures to contain health and safety risks and maintain integrity of exhibits. 
Assess packaging procedures for relevance to the type and scope of hazard and potential periods of storage. 
Identify potential hazards relating to equipment, consumables and substances. 
Document potential hazards identified during the use/operation of equipment. 
Cease use/operation of faulty equipment pending inspection/repair. 
Secure operational equipment, consumables and substances to ensure only restricted/authorised access at all times. 
Maintain operational equipment, consumables and substances in accordance with maintenance regimes. 
Ensure requisite warning labels/notices along with relevant HAZCHEM/safety symbols are made clearly visible. 
Adhere to material safety data information as appropriate to tasks undertaken. 
Dispose of operational equipment, consumables and substances to minimise risks. 
Decontaminate workspace and equipment in accordance with quality systems and requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

POLFOR023 - Maintain a safe forensic working environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

POLFOR023 - Maintain a safe forensic working environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: