Critical aspects of competency

Identification and communication of nature and details of emergency.

Following emergency procedures.

Implementation of correct emergency response.

Review and modification of emergency response.

Documentation of emergency situation and response actions in standardised report template (in accordance with company requirements).

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

HAZCHEM identification systems.

Waste types and implications in an emergency situation.

Standard emergency response procedures.

Basic First Aid appropriate to likely risks and hazards in work environment.

Methods of containment and isolation of emergencies.

Confined space procedure.

Occupational health and safety requirements.

Duty of care provision of services.

Relevant industry standards.

Relevant legislation.

Relevant industry standards.

Relevant environmental regulations.

Emergency procedures.

OHS hierarchy of control.

Location of alarms.

Location of emergency equipment.

Identification of areas.

Location of communication equipment.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

oral communication skills including questioning, listening, following instructions, giving information, signalling, directing traffic

written communication skills

identifying regulated waste types

following emergency procedure guidelines

using emergency equipment (including fire extinguisher and spill kit)

area isolation (including bunding and erecting barriers)

using personal protective equipment (including breathing apparatus)

clear thinking and working under pressure

using communications equipment (two-way radio and mobile phone)

problem-solving

following MSDS

safe and efficient work practices.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:

PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements

PRMCMN301A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements

BSBCMN215B Participate in environmental work practices.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

range of emergency situations

case studies

role-play

emergency equipment and personal protective equipment

standard emergency procedures

site safety plan

MSDS

OHS requirements.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing activities in the response to a waste emergency in a variety of waste environments. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Consistency in performance

Assessment requires that the plan meets the objectives of the client and that it complies with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to use simulated emergencies with a variety of waste characteristics to assess competency in waste emergency response.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written audit, questions are to be identical.)

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Note: All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Appropriate person includes client, supervisor and team member.

Clean-up includes removal of plant/equipment/vehicle from site, removal/disposal of contaminated soil/liquid, shovelling, sweeping out, use of cleaning products/fluids, use of high pressure water or air-hosing and vacuuming.

Client/company includes all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers.

Containment and isolation may include:

bund area

erect barricades

move vehicle or equipment away from hazardous area

seal leaks

transfer waste

turn off electricity and gas

use fire extinguisher

water-hosing

cover drains.

Documentation includes but is not limited to:

authorities notified

cause or suspected cause of emergency

damage incurred (including to personnel, vehicle, equipment and general public)

emergency and personal protective equipment used

emergency response procedures undertaken

nature of clean-up

nature, type, source and severity of emergency

recommendations for preventing future emergencies

regulatory authority documents.

Emergency may include chemical reaction, contamination, fire, gas leak, hazardous waste spill, oil spill, powerlines and vehicle accident.

Emergency and personal protective equipment must include:

containment devices such as booms

emergency procedure guides

face shield/mask

hard hat

hearing protection

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

spill kit

oil absorbent materials.

Emergency response/action procedures include but are not limited to:

clean up

contain emergency

equipment/plant isolation and shut-down

evacuation

First Aid

make safe

notification of authorities

use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Evacuation procedures can be found in company requirements, emergency procedures manual and relevant legislation (including occupational health and safety).

Manufacturers' specifications are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.

Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:

Australian Standards

environmental regulations

legislative requirements

manufacturers' specifications

OHS procedures

organisational procedures

relevant state/territory regulations.

Personal protective equipment required will be cleaned/maintained, stored, worn/fitted in accordance with equipment specifications, company requirements, manufacturers' specifications, and occupational health and safety and other legislation.

Potential risks and hazards are those risks and hazards identified by the organisation that could lead to injury or illness of employees, contractors, visitors or the public; damage to plant, vehicles or property; or that could cause harm to the environment.

This relates to on-site and off-site activities (whether company owned or occupied premises, customer/client premises or public property) over which it could be expected the organisation had control.

Protection of company interests may include collecting details from witnesses, not admitting liability and not talking to media.

Regulated waste identification signage requirements may include:

classification of dangerous goods

communications equipment

First Aid

hazardous class

HAZCHEM codes

packaging group number.

Relevant legislation and codes cover state and federal:

Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail

duty of care

industry codes of conduct

occupational health and safety

Australian Standards

environmental protection legislation.

Relevant parties include emergency services, other affected parties, relevant company personnel and relevant environmental protection agency.

Safe operating procedures include any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area.