ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for operating in remote environments

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Collate and record information relating to operating in the remote environment

1.3. Establish detailed operating and travel plans, including a disaster plan and fallback position, in consultation with supervising staff

1.4. Notify appropriate authorities of the action plans and time schedules according to enterprise policy

1.5. Identify and source relevant maps

2. Prepare for operating in remote environments

2.1. Prepare personal needs for activities or travel in remote areas

2.2. Prepare transportation and equipment for use in prescribed work location or along prescribed routes

2.3. Obtain and study relevant maps prior to departure

2.4. Report and record planned activities and itinerary accurately prior to departure

3. Prepare for emergency situations

3.1. Check provisioning meets expected operational and possible emergency needs

3.2. Check that initial planning and regular monitoring ensures structured use of available provisions and resources

3.3. Structure operating plan to include training in remote area survival techniques prior to operating in remote situations

3.4. Include emergency management procedures as an integral part of operating plans and enterprise policy

4. Operate in remote environments

4.1. Complete activities according to instructions and established time schedules

4.2. Carry out all activities in remote situations in accordance with prescribed procedures

4.3. Handle emergency situations in accordance with prescribed procedures and enterprise policy

4.4. Follow established reporting procedures on completion of planned activities and on return to base

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to operate in isolated and remote situations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for operation in isolated and remote situations

plan for operating in remote environments

prepare for operating in remote environments

prepare for emergency situations

operate in remote environments

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to operate in isolated and remote situations:

map reading and navigation skills including direction finding (e.g., GPS, use of compass, stars or watch)

local topography, nearby inhabitants and locations within that area

survival techniques and human needs relating to survival situations

clothing requirements for sun or heat protection

basic First Aid

bush craft including making a fire, cooking and wild food gathering

water supplies, sources and generation methods

emergency vehicle and mechanical equipment repair

the operation of communication equipment (e.g., field communications by two-way, satellite telephony and HF radio), and distress signalling including use of signalling mirrors

weather and weather indicators

basic rope skills including useful knots (reef, clove hitch, truckie's hitch, bowline); simple lashings and tying down loads

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for operation in isolated and remote situations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation in isolated and remote situations

working with others to operate in isolated and remote situations that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of operation in isolated and remote situations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the operation in isolated and remote situations

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevantcompliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

guidelines and reporting procedures for personnel operating in remote environments

personal diary records as well as property records

Remote environment may include:

any workplace where the ability to get help because of distance is such that personal safety may be at risk

Appropriate authorities may include:

the property manager, other staff or recognised regulatory authorities (e.g., Police, Maritime Safety Authority, State Emergency Service, and Civil Aviation Authority)

Personal needs may include:

water generating and shade generating gear

non-perishable survival rations

clothing to provide for the worst case scenario

Emergency needs may include:

First Aid supplies

spare parts

telephones

two way radios

repair tools for the selected form of transportation

retrieval, communications, prescribed emergency equipment for water travel

emergency beacons and other position location devices

emergency planning including establishment of contingency plans ("fall back position")

Planning may include:

establishment of time schedules and intended outcomes in consultation with managers and supervising staff

provisioning for extreme circumstances, including worst case scenario

identification of alternative routes, available water supplies and travel conditions such as checks of actual and forecast weather conditions

consideration of any unplanned deviation from the planned route, itinerary or timing including the work processes involved

establishment of rescue plans and the consideration of what circumstances might require such an operation to be mounted

Structured usage of provisions may include:

available provisions and resources used at a rate that sustains the individual or party and will last if possible until the end of any possible delays or emergency situations

Training in remote area survival techniques may include:

managing emergencies

location and/or distilling of water

provision and erection of shelter

conservation of energy

the identification and use of wild food (bush tucker)

GPS position locating

setting out beacons and distress signalling

staying put or remaining with transport

communicating with rescue teams

Emergency situations may include:

vehicle or equipment breakdown

lack of food, water or protective clothing

flood, fire or storm

Types of working situations may include:

working alone or in teams

Operational strategies may include:

planned provision of water and other survival clothing and requisites sufficient to meet the needs of all personnel

Personnel briefings may include:

provision of advice on intended routes, work locations, maps and direction finding equipment

Communication may include:

2-way radio, satellite radio/phone, marine radio or mobile telephone

Distress signalling may include:

EPIRBs, signalling mirrors, fire or signals scratched on the ground

Licensing may include:

operating vehicles on roads, heritage reserves or public reserves, radio communications equipment