Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to lead a small team to respond to a range of potential large animal incidents at a workplace or event site. It covers basic incident scene management, coordinating a team and responding to a compromised large animal using a range of recognised techniques and equipment.
The unit applies to individuals who are responsible for managing safety for a workplace or event site where interactions with large animals occur. They take the role of a team leader or incident controller at an incident involving large animals.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Respond to large animal incident | 1.1 Gather adequate information to assess the nature of the incident, exact location and the resources required to respond to the incident 1.2 Assess feasibility and likelihood of success of available options for managing animal/s at the incident scene 1.3 Devise an incident action plan 1.4 Organise external support, including a veterinarian and/or emergency or medical services, according to the nature of the incident and additional support required 1.5 Select and prepare personal protective equipment (PPE), rescue tool kit and equipment required for the incident |
2. Establish and maintain incident scene safety | 2.1 Assess human, animal and environmental hazards and risks at scene using a systematic approach 2.2 Liaise with animal owner and/or veterinarian at incident scene 2.3 Prioritise required actions promptly according to organisational large animal response plan 2.4 Establish zones to manage access to the incident scene and members of the public and/or animal owners |
3. Manage response | 3.1 Appoint roles and duties and brief team members according to the organisation's large animal incident plan 3.2 Ensure all team members have required equipment and appropriate PPE 3.3 Organise additional personnel and/or specialist equipment based on incident scene requirements |
4. Manage and stabilise animal/s | 4.1 Implement hygiene and biosecurity precautions according to organisational requirements 4.2 Conduct initial assessment of the animal, in conjunction with veterinarian if in attendance, to determine injury type, severity and potential complications related to the extrication of the animal 4.3 Discuss with veterinarian sedation or anaesthesia requirements to implement the incident action plan 4.4 Assist veterinarian to restrain, stabilise and/or treat animal/s according to animal needs 4.5 Protect animal/s from injury during rescue according to extrication technique employed and species-specific needs |
5. Carry out incident operations | 5.1 Implement plan to extricate animal/s in consultation with team, veterinarian and/or other technical specialists 5.2 Provide clear instructions to team members about the plan, including techniques, equipment, safety, and access and escape routes 5.3 Extricate animals using recognised techniques and equipment appropriate for the animal species and incident 5.4 Release animal/s in planned area and monitor recovery and welfare 5.5 Reunite animal/s to owner or appropriate personnel, or organise arrangements for deceased animals according to organisational procedures |
6. Conclude incident operations | 6.1 Recover, clean and store equipment according to organisational requirements 6.2 Contribute to media communications and public relations according to organisational procedures and nature of incident 6.3 Conduct incident debrief according to organisational procedures 6.4 Complete records and reports to organisational standards |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Oral communication | Provide clear and concise information and instruction using tone and terminology appropriate for audience |
Numeracy | Estimate the weight of large animals to assist with selecting equipment and numbers of people required to assist in the incident |
Interact with others | Work as an effective member of a team as well as independently |
Navigate the world of work | Recognise the purpose, main tasks, responsibilities and boundaries of own role |
Get the work done | Plan, organise and prioritise tasks to achieve work outcomes Use problem-solving techniques to address contingencies and adapt plans to meet incident requirements |
Sectors
Animal Incident Management (AIM)