Application of this unit

This competency applies to operators who are required to know the signals when an emergency situation takes place as well as the proper procedures to follow in order to save oneself from possible injury and/or death.

Prerequisites

This unit has no prerequisites.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. Knowledge and understanding of the emergency response procedures sufficient to recognise emergency situations and then determine the appropriate action.

Knowledge of the relevant OHS and environmental requirements, and organisation standard operating procedures, is required along with an ability to implement them in a manner that is relevant to emergency response practices.

Competence includes the ability to:

identify location of emergency signals on machines and/or at the worksite

identify emergency situations in which there is no mechanical/electronic signal

report identified emergency signals/situations to the designated person

identify the emergency leader

follow emergency procedures.

Evidence of knowledge of all relevant workplace procedures will include:

emergency, fire and accident procedures

chemical spill procedures

procedures for the use of personal protective clothing and equipment

organisation standard operating procedures (SOPs)

hazard policies and procedures

safety procedures

personal protective clothing relevant to the required response to the emergency situation.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to recognise and respond to emergency signals or other communication of an emergency.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, required skills and knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Overview of assessment

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

recognise potential emergency situations

take the appropriate action.

Emphasis should be on the ability to follow proper procedures in order to save oneself from possible injury and/or death.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:

emergency situations are recognised and communicated promptly

emergency procedures are understood and followed.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems that may have been generated from the past incident history of the workplace and incidents on similar operations around the world.

Assessment method and context

Assessment for this unit will be on a processing plant or in a manufacturing environment.

Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual work environment and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays. Emergency drills are a common and appropriate simulation.

This unit of competency requires a body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the workplace (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the job.

Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

It is expected that this competency may be applicable in combination with other industry, occupation or workplace-specific competencies. In all cases it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to an operating plant or work environment over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios, case studies and 'what ifs' will be required as will a bank of questions that will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This unit of competency describes emergency situation requirements applicable to all workers. It involves the use of workplace policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for oneself and others.

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This unit of competency includes use of equipment and tools such as PPE required for emergency response.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

handling chemicals and hazardous materials

chemical and or hazardous materials spillage

gases and liquids under pressure

moving machinery

materials handling

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

fire and explosion.

Personnel

Appropriate personnel for reporting of emergency may include:

employer

supervisor

employees elected as emergency team leader

other personnel with emergency team leader responsibilities.

Emergency issues

Emergency issues that may need to be raised by workers with designated personnel/ responded to may include:

observation of injury or incident in the workplace

fires

chemical or oil spills

gas leak or vapour emission

utilities failure

bomb scares

failure or malfunction of plant/machinery.

Emergency signals

Emergency signals include:

visual - flashing lights

auditory - alarms.

Not applicable.

This unit contains employability skills.

Not applicable.