• PUALAW001B - Protect and preserve incident scene

PUALAW001B
Protect and preserve incident scene

This unit covers the competency required, on arrival at the scene of an accident or incident, to conduct initial assessment, take action to maintain public safety and preserve the scene, and note and record details and information.The unit is particularly applicable in cases where organisation personnel are the first to arrive at the scene of an accident or incident.

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Secure and preserve scene

1.1 Initial assessment is participated in to identify factorswhich will impact on public safety and scene preservation

1.2 Incident/accident scene is effectively secured to preserve the scene and maintain public safety in line with legislative requirements

2. Record and report details of incident scene

2.1 Details of the scene are noted, recorded and reported according to organisation's policies and procedures

2.2 Witness details and information volunteered are recorded in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements

2.3 Information is communicated to relevant personnel in line with organisation's procedures

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

listening

note taking

observation

questioning

reporting

Required Knowledge

legislative and organisation requirements relating to scene preservation

methods of securing scene

organisation requirements for taking witness details and information

regulatory requirements for taking witness details and information

techniques for estimating distance

techniques for removing public from scene

types of information which may assist in investigations

Evidence Required

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

Demonstrated ability to effectively secure scene and record and report details in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Performance at an incident, exercise or simulation is required to demonstrate competence in this unit. Written or verbal questions may be used as supporting evidence

Specific resources for assessment

No special requirements

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.


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.

Incident scene may include

urban fire

wild fire

vehicle fire

crime scene

search for missing persons or evidence

vehicle accident

natural disaster

industrial/mining accident

incident involving death or injury to person or damage to property

urban scene

rural scene

indoor scene

outdoor scene

animal incident

marine

aircraft

train

explosions

hazardous materials

Assessment of scene may be conducted

at scene

en route to and from scene

Factors impacting may include

public safety risk factors including factors that could impact on the safety of investigators

response team

the security/preservation of the actual site

the security and preservation of situational evidence

traffic

tactical factors affecting the quality of the investigation including environmental circumstances

chronology of events

access to scene

number of persons at scene

availability of support services

boundaries

Persons at scene may include

incident scene specialists

forensic experts

potential witnesses

victims

other bystanders

personnel from other organisations

media

coroners

pathologists

medical practitioners

undertakers

forensic accountants

information technology consultants

legal officers

owners and/or occupiers

Security of scene may be affected by

topography

climatic conditions

human interference

animal interference

preservation of life/property

structural integrity

availability of personnel

Securing scene may include

removing non-emergency personnel from scene

isolating scene

erecting barriers

Details of scene may include

date

time

location

damage

persons present

property involved

possible causes

items of evidence

injuries

status of utilities services such as broken water pipes

animal species present

flora

fauna

size and construction of building

occupancy

insurance details

Witness details may include

name

contact details

other details in accordance with organisation's policies and procedures

Relevant personnel may include

supervisor

team leader

police

investigating officer

other organisation's personnel

Communication may include

verbal

completing standard forms

written

Recording and reporting may include

taking notes

completing standard forms

making sketches

taking photographs

taping

electronic videoing

Preserving scene may include

preserving evidence and the area of origin

Organisational and legislative requirements may vary between sectors and organisations and may include

legislation relevant to the operation/incident/response

legislation relevant to the organisation

operational

corporate and strategic plans

operational procedures

operational performance standards

organisation's personnel practices and guidelines

organisation's quality standards


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.