Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:17 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Undertake structural collapse rescue

Undertake structural collapse rescue

Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR007B
State Code
D3005
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
09/02/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the competency to undertake structural collapse operations as a member of a rescue team.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for structural collapse operation
  • 1.1 Operation and task information is obtained and analysed
  • 1.2 Rescue resources are identified and selected based on incident information and cross-checked to ensure they are ready for use
  • 1.3 Personal protective equipment is selected relevant to the nature of the structural collapse operation
2. Assess and manage structural collapse scene
  • 2.1 Situational and environmental hazards are assessed, minimised, controlled, marked and constantly monitored
  • 2.2 Physical features of structural collapse are assessed before deploying rescue resources
  • 2.3 Scene is managed to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment
  • 2.4 Communication with other personnel on site is established and maintained
  • 2.5 Site of structural collapse is sectorised and boundaries are defined
  • 2.6 Structural collapse marking system is implemented
3. Determine location and condition of casualties
  • 3.1 Reconnaissance of incident scene is undertaken
  • 3.2 Evidence of location of casualties within collapsed structure is collected and reported
  • 3.3 Appropriate resources are used for surface or lightly trapped casualties
  • 3.4 The condition of surface or lightly trapped casualties and nature of entrapment is ascertained where possible
  • 3.5 Search marking systems are utilised
4. Gain access to casualties
  • 4.1 Techniques and equipment are employed to stabilise and make safe the incident scene
  • 4.2 Located casualties are treated in consultation with medical personnel in accordance with organisational policies
5. Remove casualties
  • 5.1 Entrapped casualties are released, treated and stabilised in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 5.2 Casualties are removed from scene using recognised techniques
  • 5.3 Evidence of casualty's identity is collected and processed according to agreed procedures
  • 5.4 Appropriate actions are taken to preserve incident scene where possible
6. Terminate rescue operations
  • 6.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced according to organisational standards and manufacturer's guidelines
  • 6.2 Signs and symptoms of operational stress are recognised and promptly reported
  • 6.3 Operational documentation is completed to organisational standards
  • 6.4 Exposure records are completed
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Structural collapse rescue is defined as
the mobilisation of resources required to safely and expeditiously locate and remove trapped and often injured victims from partially or totally collapsed structures or environments and the provision of emergency care in doing so
Rescue resources may include
hand tools
atmosphere monitoring equipment
concrete cutters and corers
trained dogs
aerial ladders
platforms
bulldozers
bob cats
cranes
back hoes
generators
hydraulic jacks
lights and towers
wire rubble baskets
acoustic devices
fibre-optic cameras
time-lapse cameras
search cameras
thermal imaging cameras
infra-red cameras
concrete cutting chain saws
air-hammers
drills
lighting
ropes
bolt cutters
wheel barrows
buckets
communications
portable toilets
tents
heaters
Situational and environmental hazards may include
below debris hazards
surface hazards
overhead hazards
structural and terrain instability
dangerous goods and hazardous substances
utilities
irrespirable atmosphere
adverse weather conditions
Recognised techniques may include
breaching
concrete coring
shoring and tunnelling
concrete slab removal
steel cutting
Operational documentation may include
site sectorisation plan
memorandums of understanding
equipment
running and repair logs
notes or sketches and other relevant information required for potential coronal or other legal proceedings
incident reports
communication logs
injury register
Protective equipment may include
respiratory protection
ear
eye and head protection
knee pads
appropriate footwear
overalls
wet weather gear
EVIDENCE GUIDE



Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in safe use of tunnelling, shoring and propping techniques; safe use of breaching, coring, cutting and lifting of reinforced concrete
Atmospheric monitoring techniques to AS2865-1995
Extrication of casualty minimising further injury to self or others
Application of safe work practices

Consistency in performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Evidence is gathered in an actual or simulated structural collapse and rescue incident over a minimum of four shift changes
Specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this competency requires access to an appropriate training location/venue; organisation's rescue equipment and personnel for team-based activities

Guidance information for assessment
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
D5533 PUASAR028A Undertake rescue from a partial structural collapse Unit of competency