This unit covers anyone working in the transport, warehousing, distribution and storage industries who may be involved in storing dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances.

Work must be carried out in compliance with all relevant OH&S regulations concerning the safe handling and storage of dangerous goods and hazardous substances.

Work is performed under general supervision. It involves the application of the codes of practice and established procedures for implementing and monitoring safe procedures when warehousing/storing dangerous goods and or hazardous substances.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Access/provide information on legislative requirements, workplace policies and procedures

1.1 Legislative requirements for hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods are identified, stored and retrieved as required

1.2 Information on workplace occupational health and safety policies and safe work procedures relating to the storage of hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods is stored in a readily accessible location and manner

1.3 Information on legislative requirements, workplace policies and safe work procedures relating to the storage of hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods is accurately and clearly explained to the work group

1.4 Information on the outcome of hazard identification, risk assessment and application of control measures is accurately and clearly explained to the work group

2Implement and monitor procedures for identifying and assessing hazards

2.1 Dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances are identified from information provided, including class labels, manifests, material safety data sheets and other documentation

2.2 Confirmation is sought from relevant personnel where potentially hazardous substances or dangerous goods do not appear to be appropriately marked

2.3 Risks associated with the storage of identified hazardous substances or dangerous goods are assessed, reported/recorded in accordance with workplace policy

3Implement and monitor procedures for controlling risks

3.1 Established risk control measures for the safe storage of hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods are implemented, monitored and reviewed in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 Work procedures to control risks are implemented

3.3 Adherence to risk control procedures by the work group is monitored in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4 Required improvements to existing risk control measures are identified, including required resources for implementation, and reported to appropriate personnel

3.5 Procedures for monitoring and controlling risks provide for a hierarchy of risk control

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant regulations and codes concerning the storage of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Permit and licence requirements

Workplace procedures for handling and storing dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Risks when storing dangerous goods and hazardous substances and related precautions to control the risk

Problems that may occur when storing or warehousing dangerous goods and hazardous substances and action that can be taken to resolve the problems

Equipment applications, capacities, configurations, safety hazards and control mechanisms

Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when storing or warehousing dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the storing or warehousing of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Identify containers and goods coding, markings, labels and, where applicable, emergency information panels for the mode of transport/storage selected

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the storing or warehousing of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when storing or warehousing dangerous goods and hazardous substances

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 arise when storing or warehousing dangerous goods and hazardous substances in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when storing or warehousing dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the storing or warehousing of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

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 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 dangerous goods/hazardous substances (from labels, IMDG markings, HAZCHEM signs and other relevant identification criteria)

safely storing dangerous goods/hazardous substances

determining (any) required permits

identifying job and site hazards and planning work to minimise risks

identifying any special requirements for the dangerous goods/hazardous substances

assessing the handling and storage precautions and requirements for dangerous goods/hazardous substances

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.

The dangerous goods may be stored in a range of work environments by day or night and may be:

for short-term storage

for long-term storage

in transit

Customers may be:

internal or external

Workplace environment may include:

movement of equipment

movement of goods

materials and vehicular traffic

Requirements for work may include:

site restrictions and procedures

use of safety and personal protective equipment

communications equipment

specialised lifting and/or handling equipment

incident/accident procedures

authorities and permits

hours of operations

noise restrictions

additional gear and equipment

segmentation procedures

emergency procedures, including response to spillage/leaks, evacuation and firefighting

Hazards may include:

hazardous or dangerous materials

contamination of, or from, materials being handled

noise, light, energy sources

stationary and moving machinery, parts or components

service lines

spills, leakages, ruptures

fire or ignition

dust/vapours

Hazard management is consistent with:

the principle of hierarchy of control with elimination, substitution, isolation and engineering control measures being selected before safe working practices and personal protective equipment

Consultative processes may involve:

other employees and supervisors

suppliers, potential customers and existing clients

representatives of regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over OH&S, dangerous goods and hazardous substances

management and union representatives

industrial relations and OH&S specialists

other maintenance, professional or technical staff

Personnel in the work area may include:

workplace personnel

site visitors

contractors

official representatives

Identification of goods may be:

from material safety data sheets

packaging labels

manifests

stock lists

HAZCHEM interpretative advice

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

safety headwear and footwear

safety glasses

mask and respirator

protective clothing

breathing apparatus

Information/documents may include:

goods identification numbers and codes

manifests, stock lists, packaging labels, bar codes

goods and container identification

workplace procedures and policies concerning the storage of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

supplier and/or client instructions

material safety data sheets

current Australian Dangerous Goods Code

HAZCHEM interpretative advice

relevant legislation, codes, regulations and related documentation concerning the storage of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

emergency procedures pertaining to dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

relevant Australian and state/territory regulations relating to the storage of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

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

current Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes

Australian Marine Orders and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

IATA Dangerous Goods by Air regulations

current Australian and International Explosives Codes

all relevant Australian Standards

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

workplace relations regulations

equal opportunity legislation

equal employment and affirmative action legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.