Application
This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to defend persons using spray, commonly known as ‘capsicum’ (oleoresin capsicum) or ‘pepper’ spray.
It includes:
complying with policies, procedures and legal rights and responsibilities including workplace health and safety (WHS)
identifying and assessing the need to use spray based on risk and threat levels, and confirming personal safety needs including personal protective equipment (PPE) and options for withdrawal
using negotiation techniques to defuse conflict and give spoken warning of the intention to use spray
discharging spray in a controlled manner and adjusting discharge to respond to changing circumstances in a manner that protects self and others and does not cause undue harm to the subject
monitoring the wellbeing of the subject and providing required assistance.
It applies to people working independently or under limited supervision as members of a security team.
This unit may form part of the licensing requirements for people engaged in security operations in those states and territories where these are regulated activities.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe what needs to be done to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Assess need to use spray and response options. | 1.1 Review workplace procedures and policies to ensure compliance with legal rights and responsibilities when using spray for security work. 1.2 Inspect spray canister for correct operation, locate actuator button, and clarify procedures for use. 1.3 Assess need to use spray against known information and potential and existing risks and threats, and decide preferred response option to contain incident. |
2. Confirm personal safety needs and present spray. | 2.1 Select and use PPE to meet WHS requirements. 2.2 Check and confirm personal safety needs and identify withdrawal options. 2.3 Present spray in a non-threatening manner while maintaining eye contact with subject. |
3. Negotiate and give warning. | 3.1 Use interpersonal techniques to exchange information with the subject and negotiate to defuse conflict and aggression. 3.2 Give clear spoken warning to the subject and advise of intention to use spray. |
4. Discharge spray. | 4.1 Control and direct spray to contain source of threat following manufacturer’s specifications. 4.2 Discharge spray ensuring canister is upright and that grip and handling allows secure retention and continued control. 4.3 Use tactical positioning that is fluid, uses available cover and protection and allows options for withdrawal. 4.4 Adjust discharge to respond to changing circumstances and discontinue spray immediately when threat ceases. 4.5 Monitor wellbeing of subject and provide care or seek immediate assistance from relevant persons. 4.6 Decontaminate self, clothing and equipment from spray exposure. |
5. Evaluate spray use and maintain spray. | 5.1 Review and evaluate effectiveness of response using spray against incident circumstances and observations, in consultation with relevant persons. 5.2 Identify improvements to future security response procedures using spray. 5.3 Inspect condition of spray and report identified faults. 5.4 Complete and securely maintain documentation in accordance with workplace requirements. 5.5 Recognise effects of stress and manage own well-being using stress management techniques. |
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria:
language skills to provide information or advice in a form that is preferred and understood by the receiver and engages minority groups
writing skills to:
record and describe incident observations and actions taken
complete routine reports and forms
reading skills to interpret:
workplace procedures and policies that clarify legal rights and responsibilities
read canister labels to interpret manufacturer’s instructions for using and maintaining spray and giving first aid
speaking and listening skills to:
use questions and active listening to exchange and understand information with subject
control tone of voice when negotiating with the subject
give clear and succinct spoken warnings and directions when negotiating with the subject
use a radio to give clear and sequenced information when reporting incident details
numeracy skills to estimate optimal distance for spray effectiveness and how long to spray
problem solving skills to:
formulate response options to match nature of risk
recognise situations requiring the need to call emergency services.
Sectors
Security operations