This unit applies to a wildfire/land management field based Safety Advisor who is responsible for providing advice to commanders or supervisors about safety issues and implementation of safety procedures at a rural/land management incident.
This unit also involves observing potential or existing hazards and providing advice on available and viable risk management options.
The authorisation and authorities of this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures.
Providing a safe working environment is the shared responsibility of each member of the Incident Management Team (IMT) and all personnel at the incident, within the area of their responsibility. People working at an incident have responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of the people with whom they work.
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Contribute to the safety, health and welfare of personnel involved in an incident | 1.1 Initial briefing and regular updates are obtained from Incident Controller or relevant person 1.2 Safety, health and welfare priorities are obtained and confirmed with supervisor throughout the incident 1.3 Requirements for safety, health and welfare at an incident are identified 1.4 Information relating to safety, health and welfare is collected, collated and analysed as required 1.5 Safety, health and welfare of operational and other associated personnel is monitored and reviewed throughout an incident 1.6 Mitigation strategies for risks that may not have been controlled elsewhere in the planning process are identified and developed |
2. Support incident action planning | 2.1 Distribution of Incident Action Plan (IAP) is monitored to ensure it reaches all personnel as required and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel 2.2 Provision of adequate maps and sector assignment orders to ground staff is monitored and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel 2.3 Briefings are participated in and assessed to ensure appropriate safety messages are conveyed, and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel as required 2.4 Issues addressing health, safety and welfare of personnel are identified to assist in the preparation of the IAP for the next shift |
3. Support operations at an incident | 3.1 Supervisors are assisted to identify any outlying operations where they are responsible for health, safety and welfare 3.2 Information about the development of the incident is regularly obtained 3.3 Potential or developing risks to health, safety or welfare of personnel are identified and revised risk analysis is undertaken from information obtained 3.4 Supervisors are assisted to monitor the correct application of safe working practices and correct wearing of personal protective equipment 3.5 Implementation of the Communications Plan is monitored for effectiveness and adequacy 3.6 Reporting of safety events is monitored 3.7 Safety issues are promoted to incident personnel and required mediums for such promotion are assessed to ensure they are used effectively 3.8 Safety events and investigations are participated in and recommendations are made as required 3.9 Incoming field safety advisor is briefed |
4. Complete documentation | 4.1 Log of activities is maintained 4.2 Information is compiled to facilitate preparation of an end of tour-of-duty summary report 4.3 Information is compiled for participation in incident debrief or other performance improvement forums |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
assess situations effectively implement risk management based decisions with regards to incident safety maintain awareness of active and developing situations manage and communicate information effectively promote a positive safety culture among personnel |
Required Knowledge |
agency jurisdiction agency specific standards, policies, practices, procedures, standard operating procedures and guidelines hazard identification that could be encountered at the type of incident incident/accident investigation and reporting processes and procedures incident management reporting structure operational procedures, practices and implementation, e.g. LACES organisational policies and procedures (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) relevant legislation risk assessment and management principles situation, mission, execution, administration, commands (SMEAC) briefings |
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: work as part of a team recognise issues, activities and events that require Safety Advisor action participate in initial safety event investigation. 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 over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: actual or simulated workplace environments relevant agency-specific policies, procedures, standards, practices and guidelines. |
Method of assessment | 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. | |
Initial briefing may include: | Current situation Objectives and strategies Potential OH&S issues Potential public health and environmental risks |
Planning process may include: | Communications Plan Incident Action Plan Medical Plan Traffic Plan |
Relevant personnel may include: | Incident Controller IMT Line supervisor Officers representing other agencies and support organisations Operational personnel Personnel involved in or affected by a health, safety or welfare incident Section managers Unit managers/leaders |
Outlying operations may include: | Air bases Camps Traffic control points |
Safety event may include: | Accident Breach of safety requirements/procedures Near miss/hit OH&S incident |
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills.
Not applicable.