ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for winch–exit operations

1.1 Equipment appropriate to helicopter winch operations is selected and prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Appropriate clothing and equipment is selected and worn during winch operations in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.3 Pre-flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.

1.4 Damage to firefighting and safety equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.

1.5 Pre-flight aircraft safety and winch briefings are obtained from pilot or crew person and acted upon.

2. Load winch personnel and equipment into helicopter

2.1 Firefighting equipment is assembled, weighed and recorded.

2.2 Pilot is informed of weights.

2.3 Equipment is loaded into helicopter and secured under supervision of pilot or flight crew.

2.4 Personnel are secured in seatbelts in accordance with workplace instructions.

2.5 Instructions are obtained from pre-mission briefing and clarification of objectives and procedures is sought.

2.6 Pre-flight safety briefing is obtained from pilot or flight crew.

3. Prepare to winch–exit from helicopter

3.1 Following clearance from pilot, instructions are received to prepare for exit.

3.2 Winch cable is attached and checked according to procedures.

3.3 Pre-descent checks are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.

3.4 Seatbelt is released and then re-secured in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions received.

3.5 Movement towards the helicopter door and assumption of the winching position is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions.

3.6 Clearance is obtained from the pilot to commence winch–exit.

3.7 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.

3.8 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.

4. Winch–exit from helicopter

4.1 Winch–exit operations are undertaken and conducted in accordance with work health and safety requirements.

4.2 Actions are undertaken to minimise uncommanded movement, spinning or swaying during descent to the ground.

4.3 Appropriate landing technique is selected and used in accordance with ground and safety conditions.

4.4 Winch equipment is detached and the all-clear signal is communicated to pilot or crew person when landing activity is complete.

4.5 Assembly point for individual/s and equipment is identified and reached in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.6 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.

4.7 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.

5. Winch on board helicopter

5.1 Individual/s and equipment are located at the nominated assembly point in preparation for winching on board.

5.2 Winching equipment is donned and attached to winch cable and all clear signal is communicated to the crew person in accordance with organisational procedures.

5.3 Actions to minimise uncommanded movement, spinning or swaying during ascent to the helicopter are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.

5.4 Movement on board the helicopter and towards the seat is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions.

5.5 Seatbelts are secured until clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter, in accordance with organisational safe work practices.

5.6 Winch cable is detached under instruction and handed to crew person.

5.7 Seatbelts remain secured until the helicopter has landed and clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter.

6. Perform maintenance on equipment

6.1 Equipment is inspected and required maintenance is performed in accordance with organisational or manufacturer requirements.

6.2 Damage to equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.

6.3 Maintenance or damage to equipment is documented and reported according to procedures.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and procedures, briefing procedures and work instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment, workplace procedures

complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

take action promptly and report accidents and incidents within regulatory and agency requirements

take action to minimise movement during ascent and descent from helicopter

work as part of a team in the transfer of personnel and equipment between helicopter and the ground

Required Knowledge

appropriate personnel

area/s and slope suitable to conduct operations

briefing reports and format

characteristics and operating principles of winch–exit equipment

documentation requirements and reporting arrangements

personal protective and safety equipment

safe work practices when working in and around aircraft

types of helicopters used by the agency for conducting winch–exit operations

types of landing techniques

winch and related equipment and materials

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

conduct winch operations in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines

prepare, take carriage of and stow equipment prior to, during and following exiting from the helicopter

follow instructions and procedures within the helicopter

apply correct procedures for entering, exiting, ascending and descending from the helicopter

apply appropriate communication processes with crew

apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and procedures, briefing procedures and work instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment

take action promptly – report accidents and incidents within regulatory and agency requirements

complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in a simulated environment followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

winch and related equipment and material

personal protective and safety equipment

area to conduct operations

helicopter/s

briefing reports

appropriate personnel

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Equipment may include:

axes

cabling systems

chain saws

communications equipment

couplings and attachments

food and drink containers

other hand tools

personal protective equipment

personal rucksacks

rake-hoes

various harness types

Authorised personnel may include:

airbase/helibase manager

crew person

pilot

Emergency procedures may include:

aborted operation

descent or landing injury

emergency retrieval

engine failure

Winch-exit operations may include:

firefighting crew

helicopter crew

individual/s