ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Gather information in relation to a call/enquiry about an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation

1.1 Caller is questioned, prompted and/or interrogated about the potential hazardous materials situation.

1.2 A range of sources is used to identify hazardous materials information based on information received from the caller.

1.3 Specific hazardous materials present at the scene are identified.

2. Analyse information gathered in relation to an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation

2.1 Information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance is gathered using a range of sources.

2.2 Information obtained from the caller is assessed to determine the level of immediate risk to personnel and the public.

2.3 Information gathered about dangerous good or hazardous substance is interpreted.

2.4 Information accessed about appropriate safety precautions and remedial action is applied to the current situation.

3. Transmit appropriate information to attending personnel

3.1 Relevant information about the hazardous material, potential risk and safety precautions is conveyed to attending personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.2 Information transmitted is recorded in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.3 Resources appropriate for use in hazardous materials situations are located and dispatched.

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

Required Skills

apply organisational policies, procedures and guidelines

interrogate and obtain, sufficient relevant information relating to a hazardous materials situation from the caller

operate communications centre equipment

recognise an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation from information received

record or retrieve information accurately

type with speed/accuracy in accordance with organisational specifications

Required Knowledge

equipment and vehicle types used in uncontrolled hazardous materials situations

nature and properties of hazardous materials

organisational policies, procedures and guidelines (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

organisational predetermined response for hazardous materials incidents

resource location

roles of other agencies attending an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation

types of protective clothing/equipment appropriate to a range of uncontrolled hazardous materials situations

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.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

interrogate a caller to determine whether hazardous materials are present at a scene and obtain sufficient relevant information to be able to confirm the type of hazard present, using a range of documentation

access information about a hazardous material, personal protective clothing and equipment requirements, and safety considerations by using a range of documentation and transmitting this information to the field.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include a range of different hazardous materials situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

agency protocol documentation

back-up systems

operations and systems manuals

organisational documentation

reference material relevant to hazardous materials identification

relevant databases

telephony system

training databases, where available

training manual

workplace expert/s.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following units:

PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries

PUAECO003A Operate and control radio networks

PUAECO004A Operate computer aided dispatch system.

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Dangerous goods are:

substances which are either specifically listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, or meet the classification criteria of the ADG Code

materials and articles that are considered to present, in most cases, an immediate risk to people, property and/or the environment if they are not properly controlled during handling, transportation or storage; these risks are described in terms of the nine classes in the ADG Code

Hazardous substances are:

substances which:

are listed in the national occupational health and safety commission’s list of designated hazardous substances [nohsc: 10005 (1999)], or

have been classified as hazardous substances by the manufacturer or importer, in accordance with the national occupational health and safety commission’s approved criteria for classifying hazardous substances [nohsc: 1008 (1999)]

any substance that is assessed by an emergency service as likely to endanger people, property or the environment and includes:

dangerous goods

hazardous substances

scheduled poisons

listed wastes

radioactive substances

environmental pollutants

Sources used to identify hazardous materials information may include:

databases/documents:

books designed specifically to assist in the identification, storage and handling of hazardous materials

electronic databases

emergency procedure guides

information cards

material safety data sheets

safe storage and information handling cards

storage manifests

transport documents

human resources such as:

personnel within the organisation

personnel from other agencies

organisations who store or convey hazardous materials

members of the public reporting an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation (prompting and/or interrogation processes may be required to ensure accurate recognition of the situation)

technical experts (such as chemists)

Specific hazardous materials may include:

agricultural chemicals

asbestos

biological warfare agents

biomedical hazards

boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions

chemical warfare agents

clandestine drug laboratories

cryogenic liquids and refrigerated gases

radiation

Gathering information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:

chemical names and CAS numbers

dangerous goods class labels

emergency information panels

packing groups

placarding

product names or trade names

proper shipping names

storage manifests

transport documents

un numbers

Interpreting information gathered about dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:

emergency response guide books

HAZCHEM code

NFPA code

European marking ADR hazard identification numbers

emergency procedure guides

electronic databases

HAZMAT action guides

material safety data sheets

safe storage and handling information cards

technical advice

Resources may include:

personal protective clothing and equipment

personnel

response equipment