RIIERR311A
Assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties

This unit covers assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties in the coal mining industry. It includes: assessing danger to rescuers, bystanders and casualties; accessing and cooperating with emergency services; gaining access to casualties; assessing casualties' condition and implementing life support systems; stabilising casualties in situ; handing over to emergency services; and restoring and refurbishing equipment to operational condition.

Application

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles, at worksites within:

Coal mining


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assess danger to rescuers, bystanders and casualty

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties

1.2. Identify hazards to rescue personnel and other personnel

1.3. Assess situation to ensure safety of team and other persons

1.4. Take actions to ensure safety of team and affected persons in accordance with requirements and procedures

1.5. Re-assess hazards and implement relevant measures

1.6. Implement restricted area protocols/methods

2. Access and cooperate with emergency services

2.1. Assess the incident to determine the emergency service type to be called in

2.2. Contact support services and call in to mine emergency in accordance with protocols

2.3. Establish the roles and responsibilities of the emergency service and communicate to rescue team members

2.4. Establish the roles and responsibilities of rescue team members in relation to emergency service people and communicate to both parties

3. Gain access to casualty

3.1. Apply TRIAGE principles to multiple-casualty situations

3.2. Assess situation to determine the appropriate safe method of access

3.3. Identify and obtain access equipment in accordance with requirements and procedures

3.4. Use equipment to gain access to people according to manufacturer recommendations and within the guidelines of Accredited Rescue Services to ensure the health and safety of all affected people

4. Assess casualties' condition and implement life support systems

4.1. Perform primary and secondary assessments for basic life support to an industry accepted standard

4.2. Apply identified life support techniques

4.3. Continuously monitor casualties and record vital signs

4.4. Record all relevant information and communicate to relevant officials and emergency services

5. Stabilise casualty in Situ

5.1. Maintain implemented life support techniques to keep casualty in a stable condition

5.2. Continuously monitor and re-assess casualty's condition and take life support actions in accordance with requirements and procedures

5.3. Continuously monitor casualty's vital signs and take action to maintain casualty in a stable condition

6. Hand over to emergency services

6.1. Hand over casualty/s to relevant emergency service's personnel

6.2. Hand over record of casualty/s vital signs

6.3. Assist relevant emergency service with life support if requested

7. Restore and refurbish equipment to operational condition

7.1. Inspect all equipment used for any damage or contamination sustained in the operation

7.2. Dispose of contaminated medical waste as per Australian standards

7.3. Repair or replace all defective equipment to meet manufacturer specifications or Australian standards

7.4. Clean and sterilise equipment to meet manufacturer specifications or Australian standards

7.5. Return the rescue equipment to operational readiness

Required Skills

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

select appropriate types of equipment and apply safe methods of operation to gain access to casualties

assess and control hazards and associated risks

apply TRIAGE

apply basic life support to casualties

apply primary assessment to casualties

fault-find and remedy equipment

record operations for incident reports

operate communication systems and observe communication protocols

gain access to and liaise with emergency services and mine officials

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties:

TRIAGE principles, protocols and techniques

basic life support

primary assessment

secondary assessment

hazard/risk management principles and practices, including assessment and control

CISD procedures and agencies

mine site plant type and construction in relation to access methods and equipment

accident investigations

equipment used for gaining access to casualties - types, selection, application, safe method of operation, fault-finding

recording systems and protocols (sequence of events and actions taken)

liaison protocols with support services

communication systems and protocols

types, role and responsibilities of emergency services and mine officials

Evidence Required

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 assessment and implementation of life support systems and the stabilising of casualties

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties

working with others to assess and implement life support systems, stabilise casualties and meet all of the required outcomes

consistent timely assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties 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.

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.

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

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

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties

Guidance information for assessment

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


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, 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.

Relevant compliance documentation

may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

code of practice

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Hazards may include:

environmental

electrical

hazardous substances

Hazards inherent to open-cut mining methods and equipment may include:

electrical

mechanical

magnitude / size of equipment

heights / depths

wall collapse

engulfment

traffic movements

water

weather conditions

chemicals

night conditions

bulk fuel storage and transportation

unsafe working practices

topography

explosives

Situations may include:

heights

depths

plant and equipment entrapment

environment

light vehicles

heavy vehicles

Communications may include:

First Aid reports

2-way radio

phone

mobile phone

fax

e-mail

TRIAGE principles and practices used must be:

as recommended by recognised authorities such as St John

Access equipment may include:

hydraulic rescue equipment

pneumatic lifting equipment

crowbars

hand tools

hacksaws

abrasive saws

thermal cutting equipment

tirfor

oxygen therapy / resuscitation equipment

Equipment use may include:

pre-use checks / tests

operation use checks / tests

post-use checks /tests

Accredited Rescue Services are all agencies associated with the State Rescue Board including:

Police Rescue

Ambulance Rescue

Fire Brigade

Bush Fire Council

Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA)

State Emergency Services (SES)

Primary and secondary assessment is:

an overall assessment and treatment of injuries to a person and further assessment and treatment after monitoring

Life support requirements include, but are not limited to:

airway management

haemorrhage control

stabilisation of injuries

Vital signs include, but are not limited to:

respiration

pulse

blood pressure

conscious level

Recording is:

carried out to statutory and mine-specific guidelines and formats

Returning equipment to operational readiness may include:

inspection

cleaning/sterilisation

repair

replacement

re-fill to manufacturer and suppliers recommendations


Sectors

Emergency Response and Rescue


Competency Field

Refer to Unit Sector(s).


Co-Requisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor.