Application of this unit

This competency applies to operators who may be called upon to control small incidents in the workplace.

It includes:

fires of the A,B,C,D,E and F classes

fuel and other spills

process overheating

equipment failure.

The person would:

safely use first response equipment and coordinate with other actions

operate incident equipment

report the use of incident equipment

mark or position incident equipment to indicate that it has been used and requires servicing.

Generally the person would be part of a team during an incident response. However, he/she may be required to take independent action. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with other members of the team.

Prerequisites

This unit has no prerequisites.

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

The knowledge referred to in the Evidence Guide for this unit includes:

classification of fires and incidents

limitations of first response equipment

situations that must not be responded to because of the risk to life

the hazards involved with first response action

understanding relevant workplace procedures

selecting appropriate first response equipment

understanding the theory of fire and other relevant incidents.

Competence also includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems within the incident response system and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems indicated by:

damage to first response equipment

exceeding the limitations of use of incident control equipment or facilities

inappropriate actions when first response action is undertaken

inadequacies in facilities that may be used to confine emergencies

inappropriately identifying the type of incident

the incorrect use of equipment.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to recognise and respond to the signs of an incident and communicate to relevant people as part of the response.

Writing is required to the level of completing required workplace forms and reports.

Numeracy is required to respond to relevant incident data.

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

Assessment will occur using a simulation and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

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:

correctly respond to incident situations

implement appropriate action.

Emphasis should be on the ability to stay ahead of the problem rather than to have to take drastic action in order to recover the situation.

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

the incident is evaluated appropriately

an appropriate response to the incident, and appropriate response equipment, is selected

the safety of persons is given the highest priority

actions taken are effective and do not cause escalation or other incidents

all reporting is completed in accordance with procedures.

These assessment activities should cover a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from past workplace incident history, incidents in similar workplaces around the world, hazard analysis activities and/or similar sources.

Assessment method and context

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

in an appropriate, industrial scenario

in a situation allowing the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. 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.

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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 applies to all sectors of the industry.

This unit will assist individuals to meet some of their obligations under the relevant State/Territory legislation. Responsibility for appropriate contextualisation and application of the unit to ensure compliance however, remains with the individual organisation.

Organisations within the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Oil Refining industries may find themselves falling under the provisions of various Major Hazard Facilities legislation. In developing this unit consideration has been given to the requirements of Sections 8 and 9 of the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014(2002)] and the National Code of Practice for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:2016(1996)].

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.

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) 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.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

fire doors

fire sprinkler systems

fire alarm systems

First Aid kits

fire extinguishers

hose reels

smoke vents

spill control kits.

Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:

determining the nature and size of the incident

predicting the incident's likely development

lack of support in an incident

inappropriate or lack of a means of escape

lack of availability of control equipment or facilities.

Not applicable.

This unit contains employability skills.

Not applicable.