This unit describes the skills required to conduct improvised explosive device disposal operations. Improvised explosive devices are those placed or fabricated in an improvised manner that incorporate destructive, lethal, noxious, explosive, pyrotechnic or incendiary chemicals designed to destroy, disfigure, distract or harass. Improvised explosive device disposal operations are conducted primarily in support of the civilian community/authority, but may also be conducted under a variety of conditions, including wartime, peacekeeping and in training. This unit can apply above and below the high water mark.

This unit applies to those who are required to conduct improvised explosive device location, identification and disposal operations.

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.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently and supervise others, using discretion and judgement and taking responsibility for the quality of their outputs. They would conduct complex tasks in a broad range of contexts that could be unpredictable.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare for operations

1.1

Collect, store and check for presence and serviceability equipment, tools and stores required for responses to improvised explosive device reports

1.2

Brief personnel required to respond to callout on their duties and response requirements

1.3

Establish and maintain contact and liaison with other emergency services

1.4

Conduct planning prior to arrival at scene in response to call out

2

Locate, assess and identify improvised explosive device

2.1

Establish contact with other attending emergency services

2.2

Advise controlling authority of safety and evacuation requirements

2.3

Locate device and identify components

2.4

Confirm area security

2.5

Investigate and identify improvised explosive device construction

2.6

Determine and plan method of conducting disposal/render safe procedure

3

Conduct render safe procedure and/or dispose of improvised explosive device

3.1

Identify and prepare to use equipment required to render safe/dispose of improvised explosive device

3.2

Operate equipment in accordance with current instructions

3.3

Inspect device and immediate area and declare safe or plan alternate disposal operation/render safe procedure

4

Finalise activities

4.1

Recover, refurbish and secure equipment

4.2

Conduct post improvised explosive device disposal clearance

4.3

Complete and process improvised explosive device disposal reports

4.4

Provide technical evidence to inquiries/courts

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

applying consequent mitigation principles

applying safety template requirements

applying time management

calculating and applying time and safety distance

conducting site preparation and refurbishment

operating specialist explosive ordnance disposal vehicle

maintaining documentation

reading, accessing, interpreting and applying technical instructions

liaising with other agencies

preparing and operating equipment, tools and stores

gathering and securing evidence

interpreting photos and x-ray imaging

applying manual handling and team lifting techniques

using PPE

handling dangerous good and hazardous substances safely

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes:

Operational knowledge of:

blast/fragmentation/thermal mitigation

construction, characteristics and limitations of improvised explosive device to be disposed/rendered safe

characteristics and limitations of improvised explosive device to be disposed/rendered safe

documentation requirements

equipment handling requirements

initiation procedures

net explosive quantity estimations

operational safety

relevant testing procedures

safety distance calculation procedures

Candidate needs to complete at least one assessment using live explosives.

This unit needs to be assessed in an authorised and licensed potential explosion site.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations.

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 and case studies

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

relevant materials, tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable

Explosive Ordnance