Application
This unit applies to individuals working in functional management roles within the incident management team who have the responsibility for ensuring the viability and success of a marine pollution response.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Establish context of spill | 1.1 Gather intelligence to determine the size and impact of the situation. 1.2 Identify the character and behaviour of the oil spill. 1.3 Consult and involve appropriate advisors in establishing the context of the spill. 1.4 Identify and confirm response objectives. 1.5 Provide accurate, timely and relevant communication about the spill to stakeholders. |
2. Consider response options to make a decision | 2.1 Identify and review available response options to the spill. 2.2 Review strengths and weaknesses of options with appropriate advisors if necessary. 2.3 Determine risk areas and levels of risk. 2.4 Determine and select best response option/s based on critical factors. 2.5 Determine the scale of response to the spill. 2.6 Document decision making processes. |
3. Implement response | 3.1 Develop response plans for selected options. 3.2 Develop an incident action plan. 3.3 Communicate proposed response actions to relevant people/stakeholders. 3.4 Monitor and review response actions and modify as appropriate in response to changing circumstances. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
critical analysis evaluation and decision making assertiveness ability to work within and/or lead a team flexibility advanced verbal and written communication skills, including proficiency in mathematical concepts and calculations ability to undertake a value chain analysis to review, strengths and weaknesses ability to develop risk management plans and implement with due diligence ability to implement a plan that has public and political impact problem solving appropriate to identified risks |
Required Knowledge |
relevant organisational legal requirements relevant legislation impacting on spill response operations, particularly in regard to health and safety, environmental issues, industrial relations etc. strategic planning methodologies including political, economic, social and technological (PEST) analysis and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis (SWOT) oil spill response equipment (limitations and benefits) oil types, spill behaviours and effects within the marine environment policies and procedures for liaising with media and politicians according to organisational policies and procedures health and safety issues / management international conventions and compensation regimes protection and indemnity clubs ( P&I), the international tanker owners pollution federation limited (ITOPF) and similar organisations and the role of them and their representatives in oil spill response indigenous and cultural issues the role of salvors |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the following is essential: details of a management plan which includes stakeholder analysis, explanation of the risk context, critical success factors, identified and analysed risks, treatments for prioritised risks knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice and national standards details of monitoring arrangements for risk management plan and an evaluation of the efficiency of the risk management in treating risk communication to stakeholders through Incident Action Plans |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must be based on a real or simulated oil response situation where multiple decisions may be made but where critical analysis of information allows for considered and justifiable actions. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: review of documentation simulation direct observation third party reports case studies scenarios action plans reports written or oral questions |
Guidance information for assessment | It is important that assessment with other units relevant to oil spill management or incident management systems is taken into account. |
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. | |
Sources of intelligence may include: | initial visual reports (location) oil samples MSDS Australian dangerous goods code oil spill response atlas oil spill response trajectory modelling reports from ship’s master indicating type and quantity aerial observations tides current weather forecast reports from operational, technical and environmental advisors net environmental benefit analysis |
Character of oil could be defined by: | chemical characteristics: aromatic content aliphatic content asphaltene content wax content physical characteristics: flash point pour point in relation to surface water temperature solubility density (API gravity or specific gravity) in relation to density of sea water viscosity viscous/non-viscous thickness stickiness in relation to adherence to physical structures or habitats persistence oil character influence on response options: selection of response equipment amenability to chemical dispersion |
Behaviour of oil could be defined by: | movement of oil: volume spread drift area of coverage percentage coverage rate of flow flow continuing flow stopped weathering and influence on oil character: spreading evaporation emulsification (mousse formation) dispersion dissolution sinking/sedimentation biodegradation photo-oxidation |
Advisors may include | operational, technical and environmental experts including: environmental scientists marine pollution experts AMSA oil importers/exporters ships master salvage advisors government agencies |
Context of the spill may include: | location environmental sensitivity estuaries wildlife habitats tourism indigenous culture business/industry |
Objective is: | Consultative management to determine the desired outcomes of the incident which are then communicated through the response team |
Stakeholders may include: | government agencies and representatives: federal state local businesses community protection and indemnity (P &I club) indigenous communities national response team media salvors ship owner, charterer or manager |
Response options may include: | mechanical chemical manual observation and monitoring manual clean up |
Risk may include: | properties of oil health and safety: fire and explosion ingestion skin damage restricted breathing physical injury contamination proximity to land community impact wildlife habitats environmental conditions: weather tides currents location wildlife inappropriate use of dispersant (not using the correct window of opportunity) fatigue hypothermia hyperthermia health impact of oil flammability and volatility of oil political media |
Levels of risk may include: | assessed through risk analysis and minimised through hierarchy of controls |
Critical factors may include: | health and safety of responders and community minimisation of impact environment appropriate approvals |
Scale of response could take into account: | human resources physical resources access |
Sectors
Marine pollution response.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.