This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to load and secure aviation freight and baggage, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes operating in-hold aircraft loading systems, stowing and securing aviation freight and baggage, and responding to problems in loading aviation freight and baggage.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to load handling duties of ground operations personnel, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Operate in-hold aircraft loading systems

1.1

Pre-operational checks of in-hold aircraft loading systems are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2

In-hold aircraft loading system is prepared for operation in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

1.3

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and hazard management is implemented

1.4

Appropriate personal protective equipment is selected and worn/used as required

1.5

In-hold aircraft loading system is used to facilitate loading and stowing of in-hold freight/baggage in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft load instruction report and/or aircraft load/trim sheet and regulatory requirements

2

Stow and secure aviation freight and baggage

2.1

Correct manual handling techniques and procedures are used when stowing freight and baggage in aircraft hold in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

2.2

Freight and baggage are secured and restrained in aircraft hold in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft manufacturer instructions and regulatory requirements

2.3

Cargo hold door/s is/are secured in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft manufacturer instructions and regulatory requirements

2.4

Security seals are placed on aircraft cargo hold door/s as required in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3

Respond to problems in loading aviation freight and baggage

3.1

Faults during loading, stowing and securing freight/baggage in aircraft hold are correctly and promptly identified and appropriate solution/s is determined in conjunction with other team members and/or load supervisor/team leader, in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.2

In-hold aircraft loading system malfunctions are correctly and promptly identified and appropriate action is taken to rectify and/or report problem in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.3

Identified problem that cannot be readily resolved by load team is reported and referred to appropriate personnel

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures

applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

applying relevant regulations, legislation and workplace procedures

applying safe manual handling techniques

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

correcting techniques for loading an aircraft in accordance with aircraft load instruction reports and/or aircraft load/trim sheets

identifying and correctly using relevant equipment

implementing contingency plans

implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work

modifying activities dependent on differing workplace contingencies, situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating electronic communication equipment to required protocol

reading and interpreting relevant instructions, regulations, procedures and other information

reporting and/or rectifying any identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

working collaboratively with others

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

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

features and differences of in-hold loading systems used in various aircraft types

layout of airport and location of aircraft gates

manufacturer instructions for relevant in-hold loading systems

people to be consulted about loading and securing aviation freight and baggage:

aircrew

check-in staff

ground support staff

load controllers

load supervisors, team leaders and managers

other members of the freight/baggage loading and ramp teams

technical staff

principles and procedures relevant to trimming and balancing load on an aircraft

principles for safely and effectively handling, loading and securing of freight and baggage into an aircraft cargo hold

problems that may occur when loading and securing aviation freight and baggage, and appropriate action that should be taken in each case

purpose, use and interpretation of aircraft load instruction reports and aircraft load/trim sheets

relevant local instructions pertaining to operating in-hold loading systems and loading aircraft cargo holds

relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders

risks that exist when loading and securing aviation freight/baggage, and related risk control procedures and precautions

workplace procedures for loading and securing freight/baggage onto an aircraft.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

acceptable means of simulation assessment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Loading and securing freight/baggage must be carried out in one or more of the following:

international airports, domestic airports, regional airports and remote airfields

any aircraft types in service in Australia

Aviation freight and baggage must include one or more of the following:

air cargo/freight

aircraft components

allowable dangerous goods

containers/pallets loaded with freight/baggage

diplomatic items

fragile and perishable goods

human remains

live freight

loose freight

mail

unaccompanied baggage

unit load device (ULD) loaded with freight/baggage

valuables

Hazards that may exist when loading and securing aviation freight/baggage must include one or more of the following:

climatic conditions/extreme temperature

dust

falling freight/baggage

fire

freight/baggage containing dangerous goods (declared and/or undeclared)

freight/baggage containing illegal substances

freight/baggage found to be a security risk

freight/baggage of unusual shape or physical size

heavy freight/baggage

incorrect lifting and manoeuvring techniques (manual handling) for type of freight/baggage concerned, usually in aircraft cargo hold confined spaces

incorrectly labelled freight/baggage

moving equipment within hold including belt loaders

noise

overweight freight and baggage

poorly stacked/stowed/secured freight and baggage

protruding surfaces in aircraft bulkhead and hold structures

uneven surfaces or gaps in floor of aircraft hold

Personal protective equipment must include one or more of the following:

hearing protection

high visibility clothing

protective clothing

safety footwear

safety glasses

safety gloves

sun protection

Documentation must include one or more of the following:

air waybills

aircraft load instruction report

aircraft load/trim sheets

conditions of service, legislation and industrial/workplace agreements and awards

emergency procedures

equipment logs/records

flight schedules and gate allocations

in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

induction and training materials

load manifests

manufacturer specifications and instructions for in-hold loading system for aircraft type

operational checklists for in-hold loading systems

pre/post operational equipment checklists

procedures for handling special freight/baggage such as live freight, dangerous goods, oversized baggage, fragile freight/baggage and perishable freight/baggage

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders pertaining to loading and securing of aviation freight/baggage

WHS regulations

workplace procedures and instructions and job specification