ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine hazards at incident site

1.1 Issues affecting safety of self and other personnel are established by identification of hazards and assessment of risks, and by liaison with others at the scene.

1.2 Relevant operational safety procedures are implemented in accordance with organisation's policies.

1.3 Duties are undertaken in line with organisational health and safety codes of practice and relevant legislation.

2. Implement hazard controls at incident scene

2.1 Hazards are identified and mitigation procedures are selected in line with work instructions and procedures.

2.2 Hazardous situations rectified where possible and reported and/or recorded according to organisation's policies and procedures.

2.3 Changes in situation and/or conditions are reported immediately to designated person.

2.4 Hazard controls are monitored and communicated to relevant personnel to ensure continuing effectiveness.

2.5 Hazard control and mitigation measures are implemented with minimum damage to the environment, while maintaining safety of self and others.

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

3. Maintain personal safety

3.1 Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and checked according to organisational procedures to ensure it is operational prior to entry into incident situation.

3.2 Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to dealing with the hazard is worn/fitted and used in accordance with organisation's policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.

3.3 Water and food intake, rest breaks and shelter requirements are maintained.

3.4 Survival technique strategies are implemented in accordance with organisation's policies and guidelines.

4. Contribute to maintaining safety of other work group members

4.1 Impact of own actions on safety of others is recognised.

4.2 Contact is maintained at all times with other work group members.

4.3 Signals are correctly used, interpreted, confirmed and acted upon in a timely manner.

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

Required Skills

communicate non-verbally and verbally

follow procedures and instructions

record information

use communication equipment

work with others in a team situation

Required Knowledge

accidents and incidents

commonly encountered hazards and procedures and safety precautions to prevent injury on encountering various hazards

employee responsibilities and obligations

food intake

hazards

heat induced illness - factors leading to prevention

injuries

labelling and storage of hazardous substances

manual handling hazards

means of relaying warnings to other personnel

methods of hazard control and reporting

organisation's occupational health and safety policy

problems associated with insufficient water intake

procedures for investigating injuries

procedures for participating in occupational health and safety arrangements

procedures for reporting hazards

protection

relevant standard operating procedures

respiratory system - functions

rest breaks

State and Territory occupational health and safety requirements

survival techniques for various situations

symptoms and treatment

techniques and aids

use and limitations of relevant protective clothing and equipment

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in maintaining personal safety and safety of others.

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

A real life incident, exercise or simulation, or series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team. Written or verbal questions may be used as supporting evidence.

Specific resources for assessment

A range of protective clothing and equipment may be required.

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.

Working environment may be:

hazardous

unpredictable

subject to time pressure

chaotic and expose responders to risk

Public Safety workplaces include:

any location where a Public Safety incident occurs

Response situation include:

single and multi agency response situations

Hazards include:

all potential sources of injury or damage to property or the environment including identified and potential hazards to persons

equipment or the environment

Risk is:

the likelihood of injury or damage occurring and the potential consequences of any injury or damage

Incidents may include:

a variety of natural or man made events including but not limited to rescues and extrications

flood

storm

tempest

natural disaster

vehicle

aircraft

rail

industrial

civil defence

fires:

structural

wild

prescribed burning

search and rescue :

urban

rural

sea

hazardous materials and dangerous goods

Hazards may be identified by:

scene assessment

visual inspections

plan reviews

recognising hazard warnings

accessing data bases

interviewing others at scene

seeking expert advice

Others at scene may include:

organisational personnel

personnel from other organisations

general public

Hazardous materials may include:

thermal

mechanical

explosives

toxic

corrosive

asphyxiant

radiation

etiological hazards

mutagenic materials

Biological hazards may include:

bacteria

viruses

fungi and yeasts

including exotic organisms

Physical hazards may include:

noise

slippery surfaces

poor visibility

smoky environments

fallen/falling objects

fatigue

Electrical hazards may include:

pole fires

electrical fires

electricity in damaged/burning structures

energised vehicles/structures due to downed wires

photovoltaic generation systems

Manual handling hazards may include:

heavy objects

content and shape of containers

Environmental hazards may include:

temperature

darkness

fire

snow

floods

winds

rain

hail

flora

fauna

postural restrictions and access

terrain

traffic

Hazard control measures may include:

erection of barriers

establishment of control zone

use of spill clean up kits

use of electrically insulated tools and equipment

vehicle protection hoses and devices

life support equipment (heat radiation shielded crew cabin

vehicle cabins with/without sprays)

entry control procedures to hazardous areas

decontamination

isolation of electricity supply

Relevant legislation may include:

state or territory occupational health and safety acts and regulations

Personal protective clothing and equipment may include:

breathing apparatus

personal lines

air lines

personal distress units

respiratory protection

protective hoods

goggles

hearing protectors

sunscreen

chemical protective clothing

personal flotation devices

wet suits

turnout uniform

gloves

hard hat

safety boots

overalls

chainsaw chaps

bullet proof vests

firearms

batons

handcuffs

Hazard control equipment may include:

atmospheric monitoring equipment

meteorological equipment

radiation monitoring equipment

oxygen meters

flammable gas detectors

Reporting may include:

verbal

written reports

completing standard forms

logs

sitreps

note taking

logging entry to hazardous areas

Designated person may include:

supervisor

team leader

workplace occupational health and safety representative

officer in charge

Survival strategies which may be applied in:

buildings

wildfire situations

water

extreme heat or cold

Factors which may require monitoring may include:

traffic

weather conditions

vegetation type

spectators

temperature

structural integrity

relative humidity

slope

terrain

water supply/pressure

fire development

stream flows

suspect atmospheres

Contact with other personnel may include:

visual

vocal

touch

radio

audible warnings

signalling