PUAFIR308B
Employ personal protection at a hazardous materials incident

This unit covers the competency required to select, don, test and safely operate appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment at an incident involving dangerous goods and hazardous substances. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to personnel required to don, test and operate designated personal protective clothing and equipment at a hazardous materials incident.

The Incident Controller will determined the appropriate level of personal protection required at a hazardous materials incident based on information collected at the site, and advice received from electronic databases and specialist sources.

‘Hazardous materials incident’ is the term used generically to describe any incident involving dangerous goods and hazardous substances.


Prerequisites

PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus open circuit


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Select, don and test protective clothing

1.1 Personal protective clothing is identified using relevantsources, selected and checked in accordance with identified hazards and organisational procedures.

1.2 Protective clothing is donned, and tested where required, in accordance with organisational safe work practices.

1.3 Protective equipment is checked, donned and tested prior to entry into fire or hazardous atmosphere to ensure it is operational and meets organisational work health and safety (WHS) guidelines.

2. Work in area of operations

2.1 Protective equipment is operated to minimise the risk of injury to the wearer and others from environmentalhealth hazards in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.2 Activities undertaken by the wearer in the area of operations are in accordance with organisational safe work practices and WHS guidelines.

3. Complete operations

3.1 Decontaminationprocedures are implemented, if required, on leaving the area in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.2 Protective clothing and equipment are removed without damage in accordance with safe work practices.

3.3 Protective clothing and equipment are cleaned, maintained or serviced and stowed in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.4 Documentation is completed in accordance with organisational procedures.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

don various types of protective clothing using agency procedures

identify appropriate protective clothing for a range of hazardous materials

operate breathing apparatus

test and maintain protective clothing

work in protective clothing and equipment at incidents

Required Knowledge

agency procedures

breathing apparatus maintenance and testing procedures

decontaminating protective clothing and equipment procedures

donning procedures for protective clothing

limitations of protective clothing

local and systemic effects of industrial toxins

main routes of entry of toxins into the human body

protective clothing and equipment maintenance procedures

protective clothing and equipment selection procedures

protective clothing and equipment worn at dangerous goods and hazardous substances incidents

purpose, component parts and operation of breathing apparatus

safe work practices

use and limitations of exposure standards

Evidence Required

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:

select, don, operate and maintain protective clothing and equipment using safe work practices and agency procedures

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed on-the-job.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

operational and cleaning equipment

breathing apparatus

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:

PUAFIR320 Render hazardous materials incidents safe.

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 agency-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


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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Personal protective clothing must include:

turnout uniform and gloves

chemical protective clothing including splash suits

and may also include:

limited use (disposable)

gas-tight suits

multi-use (reusable)

thermal protective clothing

Personal protective clothing is identified using relevant sources must include:

material safety data sheets

emergency procedure guide – transport

electronic databases

technical specialists

relevant Australian Standards, codes of practice

organisational procedures

and may also include:

emergency response guide books

HAZCHEM emergency action code

HAZMAT action guide

Procedures may include:

codes of practice

manufacturer specifications

organisational procedures

training manual procedures

WHS guidelines

Testing procedures may include:

observance of

codes of practice

manufacturer specifications

organisational testing procedures

Protective equipment must include:

breathing apparatus

control boards

distress signal units (DSU)

Environmental health hazards may include:

light, heat, cold

postural restrictions

psychological stress

radiation, noise, vibration

air lines

respirator

Decontamination procedures must include:

decontamination area:

holding area

wash area

disrobing and rest area

decontamination techniques:

wet

dry

combination of wet and dry

emergency decontamination

Documentation may include:

incident reports

personnel records

decontamination records


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.