Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:37 PM AWST
23/07/2026 10:37 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.
Maintain operational safety
Maintain operational safety
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPREG423
PSPREG423
State Code
WE678
WE678
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess and respond to safety risks in a regulatory operational environment, and includes the use of defensive tactics.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor and assess situational risks
- 1.1 Situational safety is assessed and monitored and responses determined in accordance with standard operating procedures and the surrounding environment.
- 1.2 Potential risks to own safety, the safety of fellow officers and members of the public are quickly identified, assessed and monitored.
2. Maintain a safe working environment
- 2.1 Incidents are identified and observations recorded and reported accurately, promptly and in the required format to authorised personnel.
- 2.2 Operational safety responses are identified, planned for and implemented within legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.3 Safe working practices are applied to protect the safety of persons, property, vehicles and the environment.
- 2.4 Equipment, materials and the environment are assessed for hazards, and protective action is planned to ensure the health and safety of self and others.
- 2.5 Protective clothing and equipment are identified, worn and utilised in line with operational procedures for the hazards identified.
- 2.6 Safety issues are evaluated and advised to authorised personnel and alternate responses devised.
3. Employ defensive tactics
- 3.1 Situations are assessed and informed judgements made for the use of defensive tactics that meet organisational policy.
- 3.2 Defensive tactics are applied to meet organisational standards in accordance with jurisdictional law, organisational policy and procedures and subject to surrounding conditions.
- 3.3 Documentation regarding the use of defensive tactics is completed and submitted as required in accordance with organisational procedures.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Situational safety may relate to:
mobile and fixed patrol environments
industry, public or business premises
land or premises controlled by the regulator
persons
vehicles
incident/crime scenes
Potential risks may:
include matters or events that could cause harm to persons, property, vehicles or premises
be already present
evolve as a result of actions taken
Assessment and monitoring may include:
identification and valuation of the potential risks (and their strengths) arising from a situation or a situation’s particular time frame
gathering situational intelligence from colleagues, police, emergency service workers and/or public present at site
analysis of situational intelligence and evidence
communication with agencies such as other road traffic authorities, local governments, police and community services
techniques such as personal observation
reviewing previous reports
Safe working practices may include:
risk assessment and contingency planning
maintaining and operating vehicles and equipment to the required standard
dealing with potentially hazardous substances such as noxious gases, chemicals, fuels
preventing transmission of diseases
using safety clothing (visibility vests, wet weather gear, headgear, rubber gloves, etc)
using warning devices (portable lamps, signs, torches) and safety barriers
lifting and carrying equipment
dealing with aggressive, violent, intoxicated, drugged, injured or uncooperative persons
using situational communication techniques
using defensive techniques/options/strategies
Safety issues may include:
faulty equipment
vehicles in need of maintenance
operational procedures that are no longer fit for purpose
lack of support mechanisms
skills gaps that require a training response
Defensive tactics may include:
verbal techniques
techniques sanctioned by the organisation to enable officers to maintain their own safety and the safety of others
physical restraint techniques that may be needed to restrain persons attempting to physically harm themselves, officers or members of the public
use of reasonable force in circumstances where verbal intervention and defensive tactics are unsuccessful
Situational safety may relate to:
mobile and fixed patrol environments
industry, public or business premises
land or premises controlled by the regulator
persons
vehicles
incident/crime scenes
Potential risks may:
include matters or events that could cause harm to persons, property, vehicles or premises
be already present
evolve as a result of actions taken
Assessment and monitoring may include:
identification and valuation of the potential risks (and their strengths) arising from a situation or a situation’s particular time frame
gathering situational intelligence from colleagues, police, emergency service workers and/or public present at site
analysis of situational intelligence and evidence
communication with agencies such as other road traffic authorities, local governments, police and community services
techniques such as personal observation
reviewing previous reports
Safe working practices may include:
risk assessment and contingency planning
maintaining and operating vehicles and equipment to the required standard
dealing with potentially hazardous substances such as noxious gases, chemicals, fuels
preventing transmission of diseases
using safety clothing (visibility vests, wet weather gear, headgear, rubber gloves, etc)
using warning devices (portable lamps, signs, torches) and safety barriers
lifting and carrying equipment
dealing with aggressive, violent, intoxicated, drugged, injured or uncooperative persons
using situational communication techniques
using defensive techniques/options/strategies
Safety issues may include:
faulty equipment
vehicles in need of maintenance
operational procedures that are no longer fit for purpose
lack of support mechanisms
skills gaps that require a training response
Defensive tactics may include:
verbal techniques
techniques sanctioned by the organisation to enable officers to maintain their own safety and the safety of others
physical restraint techniques that may be needed to restrain persons attempting to physically harm themselves, officers or members of the public
use of reasonable force in circumstances where verbal intervention and defensive tactics are unsuccessful
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms consistency of performance in maintaining operational safety.
This will include evidence of:
monitoring, assessing and dealing with situational risks to the required standard for at least three different scenarios or on separate occasions
assessing situations and employing verbal and avoidance techniques and/or use of reasonable force as sanctioned by the organisation
adhering to legislative and organisational requirements relating to operational safety including the use of defensive tactics
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to a real or simulated workplace environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered during operations, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.
Access is required to resources such as:
legislation, policies and standard operating procedures relating to operational safety
vehicles, equipment and materials generally present in an operational environment
personal protective equipment
Method of assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
written or oral questions
scenarios
simulation or role plays
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms consistency of performance in maintaining operational safety.
This will include evidence of:
monitoring, assessing and dealing with situational risks to the required standard for at least three different scenarios or on separate occasions
assessing situations and employing verbal and avoidance techniques and/or use of reasonable force as sanctioned by the organisation
adhering to legislative and organisational requirements relating to operational safety including the use of defensive tactics
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to a real or simulated workplace environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered during operations, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.
Access is required to resources such as:
legislation, policies and standard operating procedures relating to operational safety
vehicles, equipment and materials generally present in an operational environment
personal protective equipment
Method of assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
written or oral questions
scenarios
simulation or role plays
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
No information
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