This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to gain access to and extricate casualties from a range of industrial or domestic incidents whilst minimising the potential for further injury and preserving the integrity of evidence.

An industrial rescue involves the safe removal of persons who have had an accident in a workplace such as a factory, warehouse or building site. It involves disentanglement from machinery and extrication from heavy machinery; rescue of occupants trapped in elevators and escalators is included.

Domestic rescues involve the rescue of occupants trapped in household settings. This includes such things as children with fingers stuck in drain plug holes and persons who are physically incapable of removing themselves from their house due to ill health.

The unit requires a responder to access casualties using a range of techniques and to operate rescue equipment. It is applicable to members of a rescue team.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for industrial/domestic rescue

1.1

Operation and task information is received through a briefing, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.2

Appropriate rescue resources are identified, selected, and checked to ensure they are ready for use

1.3

Personal protective and clothing equipment is selected based on type of industrial or domestic rescue situation

1.4

Systematic approach to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is undertaken en route and on approach to the incident

2

Establish and maintain rescue scene safety

2.1

Communication and ongoing liaison with rescue team members is established and maintained throughout rescue incident

2.2

Liaison with other personnel is established and maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Rescue scene assessment is conducted, as required

2.4

Hazards and environmental conditions are identified, monitored and controlled using risk mitigation processes

2.5

Rescue team is positioned taking into account potential dangers, requirements for personnel and vehicles to access the incident scene and limitations of operating equipment

2.6

Safe work area is established to protect casualties, emergency services personnel and members of the public

2.7

Impact effects of rescue operation on occupancy areas and potential effects on casualties are assessed

2.8

Techniques and equipment are employed to stabilise occupancy area surrounding rescue operation and to make incident site safe

2.9

Rescue resources and equipment are accessed based on an assessment of the incident, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Manage casualties

3.1

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2

Techniques and equipment are used to gain access to casualties

3.3

Primary survey of casualty is undertaken to determine type and severity of injury

3.4

Injuries that may complicate removal of casualty from area are confirmed and appropriate action is taken

3.5

In the event of multiple casualties a triage assessment is undertaken to determine priorities for medical treatment and extrication

3.6

Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is requested, as required

3.7

Treatment of located casualty is undertaken in consolation with medical personnel and in accordance with organisational procedures

3.8

Support is provided to medical personnel assisting with the treatment of casualties, as required

4

Conduct industrial/technical rescue operation

4.1

Features of the occupancy in rescue area, including materials and design elements, that may impact on the casualty extrication are taken into account when using rescue techniques and equipment

4.2

Access and extrication plans are determined in consultation with team leader, medical staff and other technical specialists

4.3

Access path is provided for the removal of casualty using appropriate rescue techniques and equipment

4.4

Casualty is extricated using recognised rescue techniques and equipment

4.5

Organisational procedures are implemented to protect casualty from further injury or discomfort during access and extrication

5

Conclude rescue operations

5.1

Appropriate actions are taken to preserve the incident scene, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

5.3

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.4

Decontamination procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.5

Operational debriefing is participated in, in accordance organisational procedures

5.6

Operational documentation including post incident report is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable

Search and Rescue