Critical aspects of competency

All risks are continually monitored in order to minimise the potential of an emergency.

Emergency response plans are formulated and reviewed in consultation with personnel, emergency service specialists, and in line with statutory requirements.

Plans are simple yet effective to implement.

All personnel, including key emergency response personnel, are regularly trained in their appointed duties and appropriate emergency response procedures.

Documentation of emergency situation and response actions is 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.

OHS requirements.

Standard emergency response requirements.

Components, features and layout of an emergency response plan.

Company policy and procedures in relation to emergency response.

Personnel work requirements and company site operations.

Duty of care to personnel and general public.

Personal protective equipment types and uses.

Emergency communication systems.

Relevant industry standards.

Relevant legislation.

Relevant industry standards.

Relevant environmental regulations.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

communication skills including liaison with stakeholders, asking questions, providing information, explaining strategy and objectives

reading and interpreting data, information and legislation

prioritising

evaluation.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

range of emergency situations

case studies

simulated evacuation/emergency response exercise in workplace environment

emergency response plan

emergency equipment and personal protective equipment.

Consistency in performance

Assessment requires that the emergency response plan meets the needs of the workplace and complies with industry standards and legislative requirements.

It is important the plan's procedural elements reflect the emergency response requirements identified at the initial review stage. The plan needs to show a broad level of consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Equally, the plan is required to be clearly and accurately written to ensure concise understanding by all stakeholders.

Context of assessment

Valid and reliable assessment of this unit can be obtained through the presentation of a documented emergency response plan.

Further evidence of competency can be achieved through observing the management processes within a simulated emergency response/evacuation in the workplace and a variety of waste environments.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that 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 personnel may include:

all employees

department head or manager

emergency response teams

employees' safety representative

health and safety committee

responsible officer

supervisors or leading hands.

Clean-up includes but is not limited to:

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

vacuuming.

Client/company includes all forms of business enterprises in this context, including:

general public

government agencies

local governments

private and public companies

residents/ratepayers.

Company requirements may include company policy, contractual arrangements and organisational procedures.

Containment and isolation may include:

bund area

erect barricades

move vehicle or equipment away from hazardous area

seal leaks

transfer waste

use fire extinguisher.

Emergency and personal protective equipment must include:

appropriate footwear

communications equipment

eye protection

eyewash kit

fire extinguishers

First Aid kit

gloves

overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency escape details include but are not limited to:

all-clear procedures

clean-up procedures

procedure and route

procedures for all critical plant operator personnel

procedures to account for all personnel after emergency evacuation complete.

Emergency response plan includes but is not limited to:

a chain of command or supervision in an emergency

emergency communication system and central control

emergency evacuation procedures including emergency escape route

emergency response teams

names or regular job titles of person or department to be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan

personal protective equipment (PPE)

procedure for accounting for personnel

procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed

procedures to be followed by personnel who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations before site is evacuated

rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them

security measures

the preferred means for reporting fires and other emergencies

training

vehicle contact with overhead wires.

Emergency response procedures include but are not limited to:

assembly points

controller and wardens

emergency contacts

evacuation points

First Aid

floor plans

personnel checklists

raising the alarm

site safety plan

standard orders

the alarm system

training of emergency response teams

training of employees.

Emergency service specialists include ambulance service, fire brigade, medical service and police department.

Emergency systems/equipment may include:

communication systems

emergency lighting

exit doors

fire escape/stairwells

fire protection equipment.

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

External emergencies may include:

airplane crash

bushfires

civil disturbance

explosion

flood

hazardous material/toxic emissions

motor vehicle accident

storm

terrorism.

Internal emergencies may include:

bomb threat/suspect package

explosion

fire

hazardous material spill/toxic emissions

machinery/equipment malfunction

medical emergency

other hazards specific to the organisation

powerlines

security breach/civil disturbance

vehicle accident.

OHS requirements may include:

company OHS reporting and audit systems

company policy

duty of care

PPE

safe work procedures.

Personnel training plans include but are not limited to:

alarm systems

containment and isolation procedures

evacuation plans

readiness for various types of potential emergencies

reporting and shut-down procedures

storage, selection and use of PPE.

Potential hazards include but are not limited to those potential hazards identified by the organisation that may cause harm, injury or illness to its employees, contractors, visitors and general public; and damage to plant, vehicles, property or the environment.

This relates to on-site or 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 interest may include collecting details from witnesses, not admitting liability and not talking to media.

Relevant stakeholders include:

client/customers

company personnel

emergency services

emergency services

general public

government agencies

local governments

neighbouring people/premises

other affected parties

relevant environmental protection agency

residents/ratepayers.

Report 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 response procedures undertaken

nature of clean-up

nature, type, source and severity of emergency

recommendations for preventing future emergencies

regulatory authority documents.

Response to vehicle contact with overhead wires may include:

ensure vehicle involved in incident has been thoroughly inspected prior to reintroduction to service

liaise with relevant parties to ensure remedial action is implemented

notify relevant statutory authority(s)

notify wire owner and other parties who may be affected by incident

response team attending incident scene and conducting preliminary investigation of the incident in accordance with company procedures

review incident report form completed by operator

review response team investigation findings and propose remedial/preventative actions with parties involved.

State and federal legislative requirements may include:

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

duty of care

industry codes of conduct

occupational health and safety

relevant Australian Standards

relevant environmental protection legislation.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist