PSPREG423
Maintain operational safety

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess and respond to safety risks in a regulatory operational environment, and includes the use of defensive tactics.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit applies to individuals in a range of regulatory work environments who must maintain their operational safety at all times by monitoring and assessing potential risks in operational environments and taking action to ensure the safety of themselves and others.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Monitor and assess situational risks

1.1 Situational safety is assessed and monitored and responses determined in accordance with standard operating procedures and the surrounding environment.

1.2 Potential risks to own safety, the safety of fellow officers and members of the public are quickly identified, assessed and monitored.

2. Maintain a safe working environment

2.1 Incidents are identified and observations recorded and reported accurately, promptly and in the required format to authorised personnel.

2.2 Operational safety responses are identified, planned for and implemented within legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures.

2.3 Safe working practices are applied to protect the safety of persons, property, vehicles and the environment.

2.4 Equipment, materials and the environment are assessed for hazards, and protective action is planned to ensure the health and safety of self and others.

2.5 Protective clothing and equipment are identified, worn and utilised in line with operational procedures for the hazards identified.

2.6 Safety issues are evaluated and advised to authorised personnel and alternate responses devised.

3. Employ defensive tactics

3.1 Situations are assessed and informed judgements made for the use of defensive tactics that meet organisational policy.

3.2 Defensive tactics are applied to meet organisational standards in accordance with jurisdictional law, organisational policy and procedures and subject to surrounding conditions.

3.3 Documentation regarding the use of defensive tactics is completed and submitted as required in accordance with organisational procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

convey information

employ verbal approaches as a defensive tactic

relate to a diverse range of people and situations

literacy skills to:

complete required documentation

self-management skills to:

assess and monitor risks and responses

use personal protective equipment that suits particular hazards and the surrounding environment

Initiative to:

evaluate and advise on safety issues

technical skills to:

employ defensive tactics sanctioned by legislation and the organisation

Required knowledge

key provisions of legislation relating to operational safety, including powers in enabling legislation for regulators, common law powers, OHS requirements and general duty of care responsibilities

potential risks associated with operational activities

strategies to optimise safety under operational conditions

ethical principles relating to defensive tactics and allowable use of reasonable force

organisational policy and standard operating procedures relating to operational safety including the range of defensive tactics sanctioned by the organisation for use

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms consistency of performance in maintaining operational safety.

This will include evidence of:

monitoring, assessing and dealing with situational risks to the required standard for at least three different scenarios or on separate occasions

assessing situations and employing verbal and avoidance techniques and/or use of reasonable force as sanctioned by the organisation

adhering to legislative and organisational requirements relating to operational safety including the use of defensive tactics

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to a real or simulated workplace environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered during operations, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.

Access is required to resources such as:

legislation, policies and standard operating procedures relating to operational safety

vehicles, equipment and materials generally present in an operational environment

personal protective equipment

Method of assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

written or oral questions

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Situational safety may relate to:

mobile and fixed patrol environments

industry, public or business premises

land or premises controlled by the regulator

persons

vehicles

incident/crime scenes

Potential risks may:

include matters or events that could cause harm to persons, property, vehicles or premises

be already present

evolve as a result of actions taken

Assessment and monitoring may include:

identification and valuation of the potential risks (and their strengths) arising from a situation or a situation’s particular time frame

gathering situational intelligence from colleagues, police, emergency service workers and/or public present at site

analysis of situational intelligence and evidence

communication with agencies such as other road traffic authorities, local governments, police and community services

techniques such as personal observation

reviewing previous reports

Safe working practices may include:

risk assessment and contingency planning

maintaining and operating vehicles and equipment to the required standard

dealing with potentially hazardous substances such as noxious gases, chemicals, fuels

preventing transmission of diseases

using safety clothing (visibility vests, wet weather gear, headgear, rubber gloves, etc)

using warning devices (portable lamps, signs, torches) and safety barriers

lifting and carrying equipment

dealing with aggressive, violent, intoxicated, drugged, injured or uncooperative persons

using situational communication techniques

using defensive techniques/options/strategies

Safety issues may include:

faulty equipment

vehicles in need of maintenance

operational procedures that are no longer fit for purpose

lack of support mechanisms

skills gaps that require a training response

Defensive tactics may include:

verbal techniques

techniques sanctioned by the organisation to enable officers to maintain their own safety and the safety of others

physical restraint techniques that may be needed to restrain persons attempting to physically harm themselves, officers or members of the public

use of reasonable force in circumstances where verbal intervention and defensive tactics are unsuccessful


Sectors

Regulatory


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.