ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for structural collapse operation

1.1 Operation and task information is obtained and assessed upon call out.

1.2 Appropriate rescue resources are identified and selected based on incident information received and checked to ensure they are ready for use.

1.3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing is selected based on the nature of the incident and rescue resources to be used.

1.4 Systematic approach to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is discussed with team members en route and on approach to the incident.

2. Establish and maintain rescue scene safety

2.1 Rescue scene reconnaissance and size up is conducted.

2.2 Situational and environmental hazards are identified, analysed, evaluated and treated, marked and monitored.

2.3 Scene is managed to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment.

2.4 Communication with other personnel on site is established and maintained.

3. Determine location and condition of casualties

3.1 Evidence of the location of casualties within the collapsed structure is collected, analysed and reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

3.2 Appropriate resources are used for surface or lightly trapped casualties.

3.3 Condition of surface or lightly trapped casualties and nature of entrapment is ascertained where possible.

3.4 Search marking systems are utilised where applicable.

4. Stabilise and make safe incident scene

4.1 Exclusion zone is established to provide a safe working environment.

4.2 Stabilisation techniques are utilised to make the collapsed site safe.

4.3 Rescue operations can be conducted in a range of environments.

4.4 Incident scene is constantly monitored for situational and environmental hazards and structural stability to prevent injury to self or others.

5. Gain access to casualties

5.1 Techniques appropriate to the nature of the entrapment are utilised to access the casualty.

5.2 Located casualties are treated in consultation with medical personnel in accordance with organisational policies.

5.3 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements.

6. Remove casualties

6.1 Techniques and equipment are used to remove the entrapped casualty or victim from within the structure.

6.2 Entrapped casualties are released, treated and stabilised in accordance with organisational procedures.

6.3 Casualties are removed from scene using recognised techniques.

6.4 Evidence of casualty's identity is collected and processed according to agreed procedures.

6.5 Appropriate actions are taken to preserve the incident scene where possible for evidentiary purposes.

7. Conclude rescue operations

7.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced according to organisational standards and manufacturer's guidelines.

7.2 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with the organisational requirements.

7.3 Signs and symptoms of operational stress are recognised are reported to relevant personnel.

7.4 Operational documentation is completed to organisational standards.

7.5 Exposure records are completed.

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

Required Skills

establish exclusion zones

operate equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

take notes

use appropriate rescue equipment

use cutting and breaking equipment

use debris removal techniques

use generators and lighting equipment safely and effectively

use lifting and hauling equipment

use pneumatic equipment

use props and basic shoring techniques

use ropes, anchors and rigging systems

wear PPE in accordance with organisational requirements

work in teams

work within the responsible agency's command and control structure

Required Knowledge

agency incident command and control systems

equipment capabilities and limitations

medical considerations and patient packaging for structural collapse casualties

operational briefing and debriefing procedures

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)

principles of structural collapse operations

relevant occupational health and safety (OH&S) principles and procedures

signs and symptoms of operational stress

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 autonomously and as part of a team

conduct a dynamic risk assessment

maintain situational awareness and be alert to environmental and situational hazards

safely use debris removal, shoring and propping techniques

safely use hauling and lifting techniques

extricate casualty minimising further injury to self, others or the casualty

apply safe work practices in a range of environments

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment involving structural instability and rescue.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

structural collapse rescue or simulation of a structural collapse incident

equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to the range of incidents covered by this unit of competency

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.

Task information may include:

environmental and other hazards

nature, cause and location of incident

occupancy

type and magnitude of incident

type and number of casualties/vehicles

type of structure

Rescue resources may include:

atmosphere monitoring equipment

buckets

chain saws

communications equipment

drills

electrical detectors

generators

hand tools

lifting/hauling equipment

lighting

medical equipment

ropes

shoring and building stabilisation

wheel barrows

Personal protective equipment and clothing must meet the desired Australian/New Zealand Standards and may include:

boots

ear protection (plugs, and muffs)

eye protection (goggles, glasses)

gloves

hand held lighting

helmet and light

knee/elbow protection

masks and respirators

protective clothing

safety harnesses

surgical gloves

wet weather gear

whistle

Nature of the incident:

structural instability due to:

events of nature such as earthquake, flood, landslide, wind, storm

explosions

fire

inadequate construction

transport vehicle into residential or commercial building

Systematic approach must include:

assessment i.e. call out and response, route, scene, liaison, casualties

positioning of vehicle i.e. dangers, access and casualties

procedures i.e. dangers, casualty protection, extrication, warning devices and lighting

Rescue scene reconnaissance must include:

assessing physical features of structural collapse before rescue operations are deployed by supervisor

conducting size up

identifying hazards

maintaining liaison with primary response team and other relevant personnel

recognising personal capabilities and limitations and referring to supervisor

reporting need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment to supervisor

reporting results to supervisor

Situational and environmental hazards may include:

adverse weather conditions

below debris hazards, including:

flooding

oxygen deficient atmosphere

toxic environment

flammable environment

different levels of elevation

biological hazards, including:

body fluids

untreated sewage

dangerous goods and hazardous substances

overhead hazards, including:

falling debris

loose or unstable sections of structure

power lines

irrespirable atmospheres

surface hazards, including:

climate

different types of surfaces

sharp and jagged objects

water pooling

dust and wind

noise and vibration

utilities

Treating hazards may include:

eliminating the hazard

isolating the area/source

stabilising overhead hazards

using atmospheric monitoring equipment

using PPE and clothing

Managing the scene to control access may include:

implemented structural collapse marking system

sectorising site of structural collapse and defining boundaries

Evidence of location of casualties may include use of these search techniques:

primary surface search and rescue:

audible

line and hail search

physical search

visual

Stabilisation techniques to make safe the incident scene may include

controlling entry and entry permits if appropriate

cribbing

removing debris

tie backs

using shoring and props

Equipment used to remove the entrapped casualty or victim may include

HAZMAT detection and isolation

cutting lifting and moving of:

general building material

other entrapment components

shoring stabilise and support structural components with use of:

cribbing and wedges

vertical, horizontal and window and/or door shores

Operational documentation may include:

AIRS/coroner report

communication logs

equipment running and repair logs

incident reports

injury register

near miss/accident forms

notes or sketches and other relevant information required for potential coronal or other legal proceedings

operational debrief

site sectorisation plan

Exposure records may include:

reporting form that documents any exposure that may result in a short or long term associated injury such as:

hazardous substances, such as dust, vapours, fumes, radiation and chemical substances

heavy repetitive work over long periods of time

lifting heavy loads

noise

psycho-social hazards (e.g. critical incident stress)