This unit of competency has wide application in a range of work roles in the security industry. Work is performed under routine supervision and competency requires some judgement and decision-making. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Follow OHS policies and procedures.

1.1 Organisational OHS policies and procedures relevant to own role and responsibilities are complied with in accordance with legislativerequirements.

1.2 Organisational procedures for identifying and controlling risks and hazards are reviewed and followed within limits of own authority.

1.3 Organisational procedures and documentation for reporting OHS information are identified and followed.

1.4 All work is conducted using safe operating practices in accordance with OHS, legislative and organisational requirements.

2Deal with emergency situations.

2.1 Emergency situations are identified and relevant persons promptly notified.

2.2 Emergency procedures are followed correctly within limits of own authority.

2.3 Personal limitations are identified and requests for back-up support or further instruction promptly sought.

2.4 Incidents and responses are accurately reported and documented in accordance with organisational procedures and legislative requirements.

3Maintain participation in workplace safety.

3.1 OHS information, issues and practices are discussed with colleagues to ensure safety awareness and information exchange.

3.2 Colleague contributions to OHS participative arrangements in the workplace are continually sought and encouraged.

3.3 Feedback is continually sought from colleagues to identify areas for improvement in OHS practices.

3.4 OHS information is accessed and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure currency of own OHS practices.

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

Required skills

ability to communicate and discuss OHS concerns and information

ability to identify common risks and hazards in a security work environment

ability to question to check information, seek feedback and identify areas for improvement in OHS practices

ability to read and understand common OHS signs and symbols

ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities

ability to solve routine problems

accurately receive and follow instructions and procedures

accurately record and report details of hazards, risks and incidents

basic risk assessment

numeracy skills to estimate time to complete work tasks

observation to maintain safety awareness in work environment.

Required knowledge

basic principles of risk management

common types and purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

designated workplace OHS personnel and first aid officers

duty of care requirements of self and others

general rights and responsibilities of employers and employees with regard to OHS

guidelines relating to use of force

methods for ensuring own safety in the workplace

OHS hierarchy of controls and procedures for its application

organisational communication channels and procedures

organisational procedures for emergency and first aid response

own responsibilities to comply with safe working practices

procedures for reporting risks and hazards and documentation which needs to be completed

range and meanings of common OHS signs and symbols

range of potential workplace hazards, risks and emergency situations.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

accurately identifying and following organisational OHS procedures relating to identifying, assessing and reporting risks and hazards within limits of own authority

correctly following organisational emergency procedures including notification of relevant persons, request for back-up assistance and accurate reporting of response

contributing to, and encouraging the participation of colleagues, in workplace OHS arrangements to ensure a current knowledge and understanding of OHS issues, practices and compliance requirements

accurately recording and reporting OHS risks and hazards using standard proformas or documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency should be assessed using questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning and written assessment should be used to assess underpinning knowledge.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS policies and proceduresmay relate to:

application of first aid

emergency and evacuation response

equipment maintenance and use

hazard and risk identification and reporting

OHS consultation and participative arrangements

reporting accidents, incidents, injuries and near misses

restraint and apprehension of persons

risk assessment and control measures

safe operating procedures and instructions for use of equipment and technology

security licensing requirements

suspected terrorist activity

use and maintenance of PPE

use of firearms, handcuffs, batons and spray

use of force

use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances or dangerous items.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

anti-discrimination and diversity

Australian standards, codes of practice and regulations

award and enterprise agreements

duty of care

evidence collection

licensing arrangements and certification requirements

OHS issue resolution

relevant commonwealth, state, territory OHS legislation, codes of practice and regulations

roles and responsibilities of OHS representatives and committees

trade practices

use of force.

Riskrelates to:

the likelihood of a hazard causing injury or harm.

Security risksmay include:

biological hazards

chemical spills

electrical faults

explosives

injury to personnel

noise, light, heat, smoke

persons carrying weapons

persons causing a public nuisance

persons demonstrating suspicious behaviour

persons suffering from emotional or physical distress

persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

persons with criminal intent

persons, vehicles and equipment in unsuitable locations

suspicious packages or substances

terrorism

violence or physical threats.

Procedures for controlling risksmay include:

application of the hierarchy of control

basic risk assessment

communicating OHS information to others

complying with safe operating procedures for equipment

correct selection, use, storage and maintenance procedures for PPE

evacuation

maintaining vigilance, awareness and observation in the work environment

reporting of identified risks or hazards

requests for back-up support or instructions

safe lifting and manual handling

security of documents, cash, equipment and persons

use of fire safety equipment

use of reasonable force.

Hazard relates to:

any thing (including an intrinsic property of a thing) or situation with the potential to cause injury or harm.

Hazards may be identified through:

continuous monitoring of work environment

debrief and review of security incidents

regular informal and informal discussions with colleagues

regular inspections of equipment and work area

review of workplace health and safety records.

Safe operating practicesmay include:

following OHS and emergency procedures

remaining vigilant and aware while at work

requesting back-up support

risk and hazard recognition

using communication to defuse conflict or potentially dangerous situations

working safely around electrical wiring, cables and overhead power lines

working safely around tools and equipment.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

client service standards

code of conduct

code of ethics

duty of care

emergency and incident response

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

licensing requirements

organisational goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

personnel practices and guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation

privacy of information

procedures and guidelines for reporting

quality and continuous improvement processes

restraint and apprehension of persons

storage and disposal of information.

use of force

workplace communication protocols.

Emergency situationsmay include:

accidents

armed or unarmed robbery

bomb threats

collapse or partial collapse of buildings or structures

criminal activity

damage to people or property

explosion

fire

natural disasters.

spill or release of toxic chemicals or biological substances

suspicious packages, objects, people or vehicles

terrorism

threatening, challenging or aggressive persons.

Relevant personsmay include:

clients

colleagues

emergency services (eg police, ambulance, fire brigade, emergency rescue)

first aid officer

general public

supervisor.

Emergency proceduresmay relate to:

evacuation

first aid response

notification of emergency services

request for back-up assistance.

Personal limitationsmay relate to:

difficulties in meeting designated timeframes.

legal knowledge

licensing requirements

need for back-up support or additional resources

own competence level

scope of own role and responsibilities

situational knowledge.

Incidentsmay include:

accidents resulting in injury

fatigue

fire

security breaches.

situations affecting the security of self, others or property

theft

use of unreasonable force

use of weapons.

OHS participative arrangementsmay relate to:

accessing and exchanging up-to-date information and industry trends relating to OHS to maintain awareness and vigilance.

attendance at OHS committee meetings

discussions with OHS representatives

formal and informal meetings with colleagues to discuss OHS matters.

Feedbackmay be sought from:

comments from supervisors, colleagues or clients

formal and informal discussions and feedback

personal reflection

security debriefing and review.

Unit sector

Security

Operations

This unit contains employability skills.