This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to receive and action notification of uncontrolled hazardous materials situations. It includes gathering information in relation to a call or enquiry, analysing information gathered, and transmitting appropriate information to attending personnel.

Hazardous material is a generic term used to refer to an incident involving dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances that poses an unreasonable risk to life, property and the environment. A hazardous substance is any substance that has one or more hazardous property including explosiveness, flammability, ability to oxidise (accelerate a fire) and human toxicity (acute or chronic).

Dangerous goodsorhazardous goodsare solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property or the environment; they are often subject to chemical regulations.

The unit applies to individuals who receive and process calls for assistance in an emergency communications centre where they gather, analyse and transmit information on hazardous materials and/or dangerous goods.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this 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

Gather information in relation to a call or enquiry

1.1

Question, prompt or interrogate caller about the potential hazardous materials situation

1.2

Identify hazardous materials using a range of sources based on information received from the caller

2

Analyse information gathered

2.1

Gather information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance using a range of sources

2.2

Assess and interpret information obtained from the caller to determine the level of immediate risk to personnel and to the public

2.3

Apply information accessed about appropriate safety precautions and remedial action to the current situation

3

Transmit appropriate information to attending personnel

3.1

Transmit relevant information about the hazardous material, potential risk and safety precautions to attending personnel

3.2

Record, in accordance with organisational procedures, transmitted information

3.3

Make arrangements for the dispatch of resources appropriate for use in a hazardous materials situation, in accordance with organisational procedures

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

Emergency communications