Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and workplace activity which forms part of the incident response system. For your work environment this may include (select relevant items):
· atmosphere testing equipment
· ladders
· lifting tackle
· slings and harnesses
· tripods
· stretchers
· other equipment integral to the rescue operation.

Typical problems for your facility may include:
· unsafe working conditions
· faulty or defective equipment
· lack of appropriate safety equipment on hand
· inappropriate work procedures
· lack of attention

HSE
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent Health, Safety and Environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
· Assessment for this unit of competency will be by way of simulation or observation under incident conditions. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which can include a variety of incident circumstances.
· Simulations must, as closely as possible, approximate actual incident conditions and should be based on the actual facility. Assessments should include 'walk throughs' of the relevant competency components and may include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
· This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the site.

Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate responsive action. The emphasis should be on the ability to deal effectively with the incident or to contribute effectively to the recovery from the incident.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
· incident responses are in accordance with prescribed company procedures
· correct incident response equipment (where required) is used appropriately
· the safety and/or successful recovery of the individual and others affected by the incident response is afforded priority in the actions taken
· actions taken do not inhibit incident response effectiveness or further contribute to the incident
· appropriate documentation including reports, journal entries, logs and/or clearances are completed in accordance with procedures

These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from past workplace incident history, incidents in similar workplaces around the world, hazard analysis activities and/or similar sources.

Resource implications
Assessment will require (1) access to an accurately simulated environment in the absence of an on-site incident environment, or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all environments it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other relevant units.

Essential knowledge
The knowledge referred to in the evidence guide for this Unit includes:
· essential first aid practices
· safe working practices related to the type of plant and equipment being worked on
· essential rescue principles and techniques
· basic rescue equipment types and uses
· obligations and implications of the organisation's work permit system
· PPE and special purpose safety devices such as safety harnesses required for the task being undertaken
· emergency communications systems, their location and operation

Competence also includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems within the incident response system and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems indicated by:
· inability to call for assistance at the incident scene
· non-functional or non-responding safety equipment
· non-functional or non-responding rescue equipment