Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulations.

Work is performed relatively independently within broad operational requirements, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the monitoring and supervision of a significant range of cargo handling operations across a wide and often unpredictable variety of cargo types and operational contexts. Monitoring and overseeing the implementation of a broad plan or strategy for cargo handling operations and stowage is required. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires limited responsibility in the management of functions related to cargo handling operations and procedures.

Worksite environment
Cargo may be loaded or unloaded from any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Cargo handling operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
at various shoreside loading and discharge terminals.

Types of cargo may include:
general cargo
containers
various types of solid bulk materials
various types of bulk liquids
special and abnormal cargo such as:
refrigerated cargo and containers
pig iron, ingots and steel billets
mineral concentrates
extra heavy cargo.

Cargo handling equipment may include:
single swinging derricks
union purchase derricks
ship-board cranes
terminal based cranes
pumps, valves and hoses.

Cargo handling hazards may include:
faulty cargo handling equipment
damaged cargo
cargo handling operations in poor weather or sea conditions
incorrectly stowed cargo
incorrectly lashed or secured cargo
using equipment beyond safe working limits
non-compliance with safe working procedures.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
cargo handling operational orders and instructions
relevant maritime regulations
vessel's log
vessel's 'Cargo Securing Manual'
vessel's Register of Materials Handling Equipment
vessel / shore safety checklist
company cargo handling procedures
cargo handling equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and international standards and regulatory requirements.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention related to cargo handling
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders including
Part 32 as it relates to cargo gear
Part 34 as it relates to solid bulk cargoes
Part 43 as it relates to livestock
Australian USL Code
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
International Grain Code
Lumber Loadline requirements and the Code of Safe Practice for Ships carrying Timber Deck Cargo

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Monitor and supervise cargo handling operations
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
across a representative range of typical cargo handling contexts
Ensure compliance with all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the handling of cargo during loading / unloading and stowage operations
Identify typical cargo handling problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during cargo handling operations.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory cargo handling/vessel stability units that form part of a job role of an officer on a vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S and cargo handling legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Procedures and documentation required in the event of a safety incident when managing cargo-handling operations
Methods for handling various types of cargo
Operational characteristics of different types of ship-board and terminal-based cargo handling equipment and facilities
Ways of restricting vessel's stress levels within permitted limits during loading / discharging of dry bulk cargoes
Typical cargo handling hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Effects of different types of cargo operations on vessel's trim and stability
Procedures for carrying out calculations involving weights, capacities, stowage factors, load densities, etc., including:
calculating the maximum deadweight available to a vessel that needs to subsequently enter various seasonal loadline zones
calculating the stresses on lifting gear used in cargo handling operations
determining a vessel's displacement by draught survey
determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash cargo
calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
Effects on cargo handling of wind and weather
Ballast management issues and procedures
Typical types and sizes of shipping containers
Standard stowage position numbering systems used on container vessels
Factors that affect the reading of a vessel's draught
IMDG Code
Cargo handling communication techniques
Cargo handling documentation requirements including documentation to limit claims on cargo carried.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
monitor and supervise suitably-simulated cargo loading / unloading operations over an appropriate range of cargo handling situations, weather and operational conditions; and/or
monitor and supervise the actual cargo loading / unloading operations of a vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
monitoring and supervising cargo handling operations
identifying and evaluating cargo handling problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to cargo handling procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to cargo handling operations
assessing operational capability of cargo handling equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant maritime regulations
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
security procedures
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify accidents and safety incidents in accordance with statutory requirements and company procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.