This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to recognise potential health and safety risks and to then act to eliminate or control those risks at incident scenes and to prevent injury to self, other personnel or members of the public.

The unit is applicable to public safety personnel attending an incident scene and links to the individual’s duty of care responsibility to maintain personal safety and to be aware of how actions affect the safety of others including team members, other agency/organisational personnel and the public.

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

Determine hazards at incident site

1.1

Site hazards affecting the safety of self or other personnel are identified, risks are assessed and are communicated with others at the scene

1.2

Operational safety procedures are implemented, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.3

Duties are undertaken, in accordance with Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements

2

Implement hazard controls at incident scene

2.1

Hazards are identified, and mitigation procedures are selected, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.2

Control measures are applied, reported and recorded, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.3

Changes in incident situation or conditions are reported immediately to designated personnel

2.4

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

2.5

Hazard control and risk mitigation measures are implemented with minimum damage to the environment, whilst maintaining safety of self and others

2.6

Incident and/or accident scene is secured to preserve the scene and maintain public safety, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3

Maintain personal safety

3.1

Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and checked, in accordance with 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 and used, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

3.3

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

3.4

Survival techniques and/or strategies are implemented, in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines

4

Contribute to maintaining safety of other group members

4.1

Impact of own or others' actions on safety is considered and modified, as required

4.2

Contact is maintained with group members, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.3

Signals are correctly used, interpreted, confirmed and acted upon

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.

Public Safety

Work, Health and Safety