Application
This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to control persons using empty hand techniques.
It includes:
identifying threats posed by persons presenting a risk to the safety of self or others and assessing response and withdrawal options
negotiating with subjects to defuse conflict and give spoken warnings and directions
applying recognised empty hand techniques using the minimum amount of force necessary to remove the immediate threat while avoiding vital areas of the body and without harming subjects
isolating subjects at a safe distance from members of the public and monitoring their wellbeing and safety.
It applies to people working independently or under limited supervision as members of a security team.
This unit may form part of the licensing requirements for people engaged in security operations in those states and territories where these are regulated activities.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe what needs to be done to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Assess need to use empty hand techniques and response options. | 1.1 Review workplace procedures and policies including WHS to ensure compliance with legal rights and responsibilities when using empty hand techniques for security work. 1.2 Identify subject of threat and continually observe and anticipate movement and aggression. 1.3 Ensure stance and distance from subject maximises range of defensive options and tactical advantages in physical contact. 1.4 Assess alternative response and withdrawal options for viability and incorporate defensive options into selected response. 1.5 Check and confirm personal safety needs and identify available escape routes. |
2. Apply defensive empty hand techniques. | 2.1 Use interpersonal techniques to exchange information with the subject and give spoken warnings and directions. 2.2 Use empty hand techniques and ensure that grip on subject is secure, firm and applied using level of force proportionate to the threat context. 2.3 Quickly apply holds to appropriate areas of the body in a safe manner. 2.4 Anticipate strikes and blows from subject and adopt, parry or block positioning. 2.5 Limit contact with subject to the minimum necessary to remove immediate threat, and use lower force options immediately when threat decreases or ceases. |
3. Restrain and isolate subject. | 3.1 Isolate and contain subject at a safe distance from members of the public, and minimise opportunities for escape. 3.2 Identify situations requiring specialist assistance and seek assistance or advice from relevant persons using communication equipment. 3.3 Escort subject from the incident scene to a secure location and monitor their wellbeing and safety. 3.4 Use communication equipment to report incident details and subject location to relevant persons. |
4. Finalise and evaluate response. | 4.1 Review and evaluate effectiveness of response against incident circumstances and observations, in consultation with relevant persons. 4.2 Identify improvements to future security response procedures using defensive techniques. 4.3 Complete incident report and securely maintain documentation in accordance with workplace requirements. 4.4 Recognise effects of stress and manage own well-being using stress management techniques. |
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria:
language skills to provide information or advice in a form that is preferred and understood by the receiver and that engages minority groups
writing skills to:
record and describe incident observations and actions taken
complete routine reports and forms
reading skills to interpret and follow workplace procedures and policies that clarify legal rights and responsibilities
speaking and listening skills to:
use questions and active listening to exchange and understand information with subject
control tone of voice when negotiating with the subject
give clear and succinct spoken warnings and directions when negotiating with the subject
use a radio to give clear and sequenced information to emergency services personnel when requesting assistance and reporting incident details
numeracy skills to estimate safe distances when engaging with and isolating subject
problem solving skills to:
formulate response options to match nature of risk
apply empty hand techniques that avoid vital areas of the body
recognise security risk situations requiring specialist assistance
teamwork skills to adjust personal communication styles in response to the opinions, values and needs of others.
Sectors
Security operations