This unit was developed for persons involved in advising on and managing security and safety in international freight transport as part of advanced international freight forwarding functions.

Typically these individuals must demonstrate the ability to work independently or as part of a team under direct and/or indirect supervision, perform detailed analyses, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policy and procedures, as well as national and global codes of practice and regulations applicable to international freight forwarding.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Assess international freight transport security and safety risks

1.1 Records of international freight transport security and safety breaches, thefts, accidents and damage are reviewed to identify past security and safety incidents

1.2 Assessment of potential risks to the security and safety of freight, personnel, facilities, information and equipment are made, considering both internal and external factors

1.3 Relative risks from a range of sources are assessed and compared with existing security and safety measures

1.4 Discrepancies between identified risk and current security and safety processes are noted

2Specify international transport security and safety requirements

2.1 Decisions and adjustments to security and safety equipment, facilities and services are made based on risk assessment in relation to benefits to the freight forwarding customer and the freight forwarding organisation

2.2 Transport security and safety plans including performance indicators are prepared in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements, and circulated for feedback prior to implementation

2.3 Security and safety arrangements for international freight forwarding activities are documented, and implementation strategies are established as per the freight forwarding organisation's transport security and safety plans and transport security and safety regulations

2.4 Questions and feedback from stakeholders are responded to promptly and, where appropriate, incorporated in the plans

3Implement transport security and safety plans and policies

3.1 Priorities for implementation are identified, and management and workplace personnel are informed

3.2 Competency needs for the work are identified, and staff allocated and/or trained and assessed to meet those needs

3.3 Equipment and facilities are allocated and/or obtained

3.4 Workplace personnel and equipment are organised to meet requirements ensuring that work loads are balanced and other workplace activities are met

3.5 Operating procedures and methods are explained to freight forwarding and security and safety personnel, and follow-up communication methods are used to ensure that freight transport and storage security and safety requirements are applied as per the transport security and safety security plans and policies

3.6 Advice is provided to customers on security and safety matters during international freight forwarding projects in accordance with the freight forwarding organisation's transport security and safety plans and policies

3.7 International freight transport security and safety plans, policies and procedures are implemented in the course of freight forwarding duties and functions

4Monitor and review system performance

4.1 Reports on security and safety incidents in international freight transport and related action are collated and categorised

4.2 Reports are compared to identify any trends in security and safety incidents and breaches

4.3 International freight transport security and safety policies and procedures are amended and trialled to improve performance

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Regulations, conventions, codes of practice and legislative requirements relevant to the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety procedures both within a freight forwarder's workplace and in other organisations in the international freight transport supply chain

International and Australian transport security initiatives and regulations related to the importing, exporting and transiting of goods, including aviation and maritime security

Licence and permit requirements relevant to international freight transport security and safety procedures

Relevant Australian and international standards and certification requirements

Definition of transport security in the context of the international freight transport supply chain

The importance of security and safety in the international transport supply chain

Security and safety programs and systems in the international freight transport supply chain

Security and safety measures required when working as an international freight forwarder

Definition of safety in the context of the international freight transport supply chain

Safety in the international transport supply chain

Requirements and procedures for the protection and well-being of employees/workers and other personnel in the transport supply chain

Requirements and procedures for the protection of the environment

Requirements and procedures for the protection against fire

Procedures for the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety

Problems that may occur during the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety, and action that can be taken to prevent or resolve the problems

Risks and hazards related to the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety, and ways of controlling the risks involved

Business policies for security provision, including out-sourcing of components of operations and engaging additional resources

Sources of information on security and safety in international freight transport

Principles and techniques of closed-loop communication in which checks are made to confirm that messages and responses being given or received are unambiguous and are correctly and clearly understood

Understanding of the principles of quality assurance and customer service standards, policies and procedures as they apply in the international freight forwarding industry

Relevant workplace documentation procedures

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when planning and managing international freight transport security and safety procedures, including unambiguous closed-loop communication in which checks are made to confirm that messages and responses are correctly and clearly understood (particularly in situations where communication is with a person for whom English is not the native language)

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, operational data and regulatory requirements relevant to the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety procedures

Complete documentation and records related to the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety

Provide leadership and work collaboratively with others when planning and managing international freight transport security and safety procedures

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

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may arise when planning and managing international freight transport security and safety procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Plan and organise systems and activities, and prioritise work

Implement contingency plans for unplanned events including a breach of the security and safety procedures

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

Select and apply appropriate technology, information systems and procedures

Adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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:

assessing international freight transport security and safety risks

specifying international transport security and safety requirements

implementing transport security and safety plans and policies

monitoring and reviewing security and safety system performance

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.

International freight transport includes:

the importing of goods

the exporting of goods

the transiting of goods

Work may be undertaken:

in various work environments in the international freight transport supply chain including the freight forwarding organisation

Operations may be conducted:

by day or night

in any weather conditions

Worksite environment may involve:

twenty-four hour operation

different time zones

single and multi-site location both in Australia and overseas

large, medium and small workplaces

Security services may be provided:

by internal or contract staff

by other suitably qualified personnel in the supply chain such as in warehouses, distribution centres, seaports, airports, freight terminals, transit points, vessels, aircraft and road and rail vehicles

Security risks that may occur during an international freight forwarding project include but are not limited to:

breaches of security (e.g. tampering with locks, packaging etc.)

theft and pilfering

fraud

terrorism

revolution

war

Safety risks that may occur during an international freight forwarding project include but are not limited to:

transport accident

faulty packaging, loading or stowage of cargo

leaks of dangerous gases, powders, biological agents and liquids

incorrect handling of cargo

use of inappropriate or faulty cargo handling equipment

explosion or fire

damage to the cargo

natural disasters (e.g. flood, fire, storm, tsunami, earthquake etc.)

injury to workers or members of the public arising from an accident during the handling or transport of the international freight

Regular insurance assessments may include:

conditions of insurance

insurance assessment of premises

monitoring insurance requirements

Work organisation procedures and practices may include:

security procedures

safety procedures

freight forwarding procedures

financial/administrative procedures

Sources of information required to perform international freight forwarding functions may include:

websites of key international and Australian organisations such as FIATA, IMO, ICAO, IATA, CASA, AMSA, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, AQIS, government agencies responsible for transport security etc.

key reference publications such as Incoterms, FIATA forms and documents, ICC publications, and other manuals, texts and handbooks on freight forwarding, international trade and related topics etc.

Depending on the organisation concerned, workplace procedures may be called:

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Communication in the work area may include:

face-to-face conversation

telephone including fixed, mobile and IP phones

fax

email

electronic data transfer of information (EDI)

mail

Consultative processes may involve:

internal and contract security and safety staff

security and safety consultants

relevant authorities, government departments and institutions

police and emergency services

other employees and supervisors

management

industrial relations, security and safety (OH&S) specialists

other professional or technical staff

Information/documents may include but are not limited to:

Australian and international codes of practice, conventions and regulations relevant to the planning and management of international freight transport security and safety

documentation of physical protection facilities

workplace security and safety procedures and policies

insurance notes and information

documentation of physical protection facilities

security and safety programs and related operations manuals

job specifications and procedures and induction documentation

supplier and/or client instructions

Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements

communications technology equipment and/oral, aural or signed communications

emergency procedures

relevant competency standards and training materials

customer service and quality assurance standards and procedures

Applicable legislation and regulations may include:

Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the safe and secure international transport of freight

relevant regulations for the import and export of cargo

Australian and international standards and certification requirements

relevant regulations pertaining to international trading and financial transactions

relevant Australian and international transport security and safety legislation

relevant Australian and international environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.