Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to an incident (except for fire/explosion) to provide an appropriate first response.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to respond to an incident, such as a leak, spill or other incident. The worker is not expected to deal with the emerging incident, but to provide an initial first response in order to contain the incident and/or secure the immediate area in order to minimise resultant damages and loss. In this unit it is assumed that the worker is acting according to established workplace procedures.
This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.
Organisations within the chemical, hydrocarbons and 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)].
No other licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element | ||
1 | Assess level of severity | 1.1 | Recognise an incident has occurred or is about to occur |
1.2 | Access hazard information as appropriate | ||
1.3 | Assess frequency, duration, actual and potential outcome | ||
1.4 | Evaluate and communicate in a timely and appropriate manner the location, nature and extent of the incident |
2 | Undertake routine response to minimise affect of the incident | 2.1 | Select the appropriate response from the incident procedures |
2.2 | Clear and secure the incident area | ||
2.3 | Select appropriate materials and equipment to contain the incident | ||
2.4 | Safely locate access and operate incident response equipment | ||
2.5 | Apply incident containment procedures as appropriate |
3 | Notify responsible authorities | 3.1 | Follow incident reporting procedures |
3.2 | Identify appropriate authorities and notify | ||
3.3 | Clearly and unambiguously communicate information concerning the incident in a timely manner |
4 | Undertake safe evacuation | 4.1 | Evacuate the area in a safe and controlled manner when first response has failed to control the incident or has proven inappropriate |
4.2 | Secure the immediate area of the incident to ensure no further loss occurs to people, equipment, materials, process and environment |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of Knowledge
Assessment Conditions
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: · legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) · industry codes of practice and guidelines · environmental regulations and guidelines · Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014 (2002)] (where applicable) National Code of Practice for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:2016 (1996)] (where applicable) |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Hazards and incidents | Hazards and incidents include one or more of the following: smoke, darkness and heat heat, smoke, dust or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks limited head spaces or overhangs extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Tools and equipment | Tools and equipment include one or more of the following: personal protective equipment (PPE) incident response equipment, such as spill kits and vapour dispersion evacuation equipment survival equipment breathing apparatus smoke or self rescue respirators atmosphere/gas testing equipment mobile and portable equipment first aid equipment pipeline repair clamps lamb air movers barricades and signage communications equipment, such as two-way radios, mobile and satellite phones and pagers |
Responsible authorities | Responsible authorities include one or more of the following: internal personnel: employer supervisor employees elected as incident team leader other personnel with incident team leader responsibilities external personnel: police fire brigade ambulance |
Sectors
Competency Field
Work health and safety