Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant Australian and state/territory regulations and codes, including the current Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances.

Work is performed under limited or minimum supervision. It involves the application of the basic principles, routine procedures and regulatory requirements to safe handling/transport of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances in a range of operational situations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Operate equipment and/or vehicle in a safe manner

1.1 Safety equipment is checked for serviceability and required quantities and types

1.2 Equipment/vehicle is operated safely in accordance with the relevant industry regulations, licence/permit requirements/or standards and as directed by police and/ or competent authority

1.3 Safety guidelines and codes are correctly applied

1.4 Dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances are handled/conveyed in accordance with the relevant government regulations and codes

1.5 Relevant emergency procedures are assessed relative to the dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances concerned

1.6 Emergency procedures are instigated in accordance with the relevant codes and government regulations to ensure precautions are taken consistent with directions set out in the emergency procedures

1.7 Procedures are implemented to minimise damage to equipment, facilities and the environment and minimise injury to personnel

2Consult with relevant authorities/persons

2.1 Dangerous goods occurrences are reported to the competent authority, fire brigade and/or police using appropriate workplace procedures, in specified timeframes in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements

2.2 Assistance is provided to the competent authority as requested

2.3 Other persons within affected emergency area are warned about the hazard in accordance with workplace procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant Australian and state/territory regulations and codes pertaining to the identification, handling and marking of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances including the current Australian Dangerous Goods Code

OH&S procedures and guidelines concerning the lifting and movement of loads

The company's incident reporting system, and the responsibility of the employer to report incidents to the relevant State or Government authority

Risks and hazards when handling and conveying dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances, and related precautions to control the risk

Workplace procedures and policies for the handling and transport of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances

Characteristics of various dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances and their implications for handling and transport

Compatibility of various types of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances

Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

Site layout and obstacles

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when handling or transporting dangerous goods or explosives

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others handling or transporting dangerous goods or explosives

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when handling or transporting dangerous or hazardous goods or explosives in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise during the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Operate and adapt to differences in handling and transportation equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

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

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:

identifying characteristics and hazards of the dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances being handled

interpreting relevant signs, labels and codes

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information

safely handling/transporting dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

identifying, selecting and using appropriate handling/transport equipment, vehicles, personal protection equipment and related procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Operations may be conducted:

in a range of work environments and weather conditions

by day or night

Customers may be:

internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

internal or external

Work may be conducted in:

restricted spaces

exposed conditions

controlled or open environments

a workplace, warehouse or depot

a vehicle on the road

client's workplace

convoy of a group of vehicles

Goods/cargo being handled/conveyed may require:

special precautions for handling, stacking and transport

Classes of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances are:

as defined in the respective Australian Codes

Standard marking and signage for identified explosives and dangerous goods is as required:

in the respective Australian Codes

Personnel in the work area may include:

workplace personnel

site visitors

contractors

official representatives

Communication in the work area may include:

phone

electronic data interchange

fax

email

internet

radio

oral, aural or signed communications

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Handling operations may be carried out:

both manually and with the aid of lifting equipment and/or appliances

Load restraint procedures and equipment are:

as specified in mass and loading regulations and guidelines

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

safety headwear and footwear

safety glasses

two-way radios

high visibility clothing

protective clothing

Information/documents may include:

goods/materials identification numbers, codes and signs

manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification

manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools

workplace procedures and policies for the handling of dangerous goods, explosives and radioactive and other hazardous substances, and incident reporting

supplier and/or client instructions

material safety data sheets

relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances, the Industry Safety Code, and National Standards for Manual Handling

National Load Restraint Guide

award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

Australian and state/territory regulations pertaining to the handling of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances

Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of explosives, dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including:

Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes

Australian Marine Orders and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

IATA Dangerous Goods by Air regulations

Australian and International Explosives Codes

Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances

state/territory legislation covering the safe handling of infectious substances

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

equal opportunity

workplace relations regulations

equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

This unit contains employability skills.