DEFCM118B - Act as a range safety officer on a permanent range

DEFCM118B
Act as a range safety officer on a permanent range

This unit covers the competency required to perform the duties of a range safety officer during the conduct of range practices on permanent ranges. Supervising safety on a permanent range includes safe handling and operation of weapons and ammunition for which the range safety officer has been assessed as qualified to operate.Range practices are potentially highrisk activities consequently applying, implementing and supervising safety precautions underpins all aspects of this competency. The include:25 metre and 100 metre open rangesclassification rangemobile training rangestandard 25 metre rangestatic mechanical rangeweapons training simulation systemThis Unit of Competency does not cover the requirements to act as a safety officer on a grenade range. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This competency was developed for Defence personnel required to perform the duties of a range safety officer, including butts or firing point supervisor, during the conduct of range practices on permanent ranges within a Defence working environment.

Typically, a range safety officers work independently under indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs. All activities are carried out safely in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for range practices	1.1 Relevant range regulations are identified and applied in accordance with standard procedures. 1.2 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the task. 1.3 Relevant control measures are employed. 1.4 Administrative requirements are completed.
2. Supervise safety on a range	2.1 Range is monitored to ensure a safe environment. 2.2 Communications are maintained with range supervisor. 2.3 Unsafe practices are identified and corrections are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 2.4 Incidents are managed in accordance with instructions from supervisor and range regulations.
3. Finalise a range practice	3.1 Ranges are refurbished in accordance with standard procedures. 3.2 Post range practice administration is completed in accordance with standard procedures.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

apply the relevant WHS requirements

apply weapon and ammunition safety

operate relevant weapons and ammunition

supervision

use simulation systems

Required Knowledge

characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of relevant weapons, simulation and ammunition

command, management and leadership principles

operational safety

relevant WHS requirements

risk identification and management

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to perform the role of firing point supervisor on a live range and to take the correct action in response to:

safe handling of ammunition

ammunition malfunctions

safe operation of weapons

weapon malfunctions

unauthorised movement

injury

fatality

negligent discharge of weapons

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated during an actual live fire range practice.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency must be assessed on an actual live firing range. Where possible the assessment should be conducted on a classification range.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to purpose built ranges, relevant weapons, ammunition and equipment.

Range Statement

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Range regulations may include:	ammunition technical instructions DI(A) OPS 25-2 Range Incidents and Reporting range, area and unit standing orders range regulations manual 9–2 relevant weapon, ammunition and equipment publications safety manuals shooting policy training information bulletins
Standard procedures may include:	Australian Standards defence instructions doctrinal pamphlets job guides, other publications manufacturers’ handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions WHS regulations organisational policies and procedures procedure manuals relevant local government by-laws relevant state/territory or federal legislation routine orders standing operating procedures standing orders written and verbal orders
Recognised safety precautions may include:	those contained in Australian Defence Force (ADF) policy and procedural documents
Control measures may include:	briefings (written or oral) communications and signals flags, lights, signage inspections, declarations and clearances instructions and briefings range boundaries, template, arc, lane and target markers rehearsals sentries
Administrative requirements may include:	acquiring and preparing range stores acquiring medical staff and stores acquiring, testing and issuing communications equipment arranging catering arranging transport collecting and transporting ammunition identifying weapons, complete equipment schedule (CES) and sub-calibre devices liaising with range staff preparing targets preparing simulation equipment reconnaissance submitting notices to airmen and mariners understanding and reviewing range regulations, relevant publications and instructions
Monitoring the range may include:	confirming: adherence to orders and instructions adherence to weapon and ammunition handling drills conduct of inspections and clearances maintenance of situational awareness
Incidents may include:	ammunition malfunction fatality injury negligent discharge unauthorised movement weapon malfunction
Refurbishing ranges may include:	cleaning up firing points cleaning up, repairing or replacing targets and target areas destroying and/or reporting unexploded ordnance removing and accounting for range stores, produce and ammunition
Post range practice administration may include:	completing relevant training and/or trade documentation conducting clearances and inspections debriefing firers, range users and staff submitting reports, returns and evaluations

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.