• PUAWER001B - Identify, prevent and report potential workplace emergency situations

PUAWER001B
Identify, prevent and report potential workplace emergency situations

This unit covers the competency required to identify and prevent the development of workplace emergency situations, or to minimise their consequences, and to report if emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems are compromised.For this unit the term workplace is defined as the area encompassed by an individual's responsibilities. All aspects of the unit must be undertaken in line with legislative requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and accepted safe practices. This unit:has been developed to cover the broad range of emergencies and workplaces as considered in Australian Standard 37452002covers the work required before the emergency services or specialist response team arrivesdoes not cover the specific use of equipment to prevent workplace emergency situations

Application

This unit applies to employees in the workplace within all industries and in all contexts.

This unit places responsibility on individual employees in the workplace to identify, prevent and report potential workplace emergency situations. This requirement is consistent with the legislative obligations of employees as prescribed in OHS legislation. The unit may also be used for planning for future operations in the workplace.

The knowledge and skills gained through the completion of this unit may be applied by all employees across all industries.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify, monitor and report situations that could lead to workplace emergencies

1.1 Situations that could lead to workplace emergencies are identified.

1.2 Immediate work area is routinely checked for any situations that could lead to emergencies.

1.3 Hazardous work is monitored to ensure precautions and workplace procedures are followed.

2. Identify, report and correct situations that could prevent workplace emergencies from being safely handled

2.1 Principles of operation of relevant emergency protection systems are identified.

2.2 Principles of operation of relevant emergency control equipment are identified.

2.3 Evacuation systems are identified.

2.4 Immediate work area is routinely checked for any situations that could lead to emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems being made inoperable.

2.5 Situations that could lead to emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems being made inoperable are identified and corrected.

2.6 Workplace procedures and accepted safe practices are regularly monitored and followed to ensure operability of emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

communicate effectively

identify hazards in the workplace that reduce the effectiveness of emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems

monitor the work area to identify new and emerging risks on an on-going basis

Required Knowledge

basic types, principles of operation and limitations of emergency protection systems and emergency control equipment typically installed in the workplace

hazards in the workplace that reduce the effectiveness of emergency protection systems and emergency control equipment

procedures for identifying, minimising or preventing, correcting and reporting situations within the organisation that may lead to workplace emergencies

safe practices applicable to the workplace that help to prevent emergencies

situations in the workplace that may lead to emergencies

situations that may make emergency protection systems and emergency control equipment inoperable

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to identify emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems; to identify and report situations that may lead to or contribute to workplace incidents and/or emergencies.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

scenarios that reflect a range of emergency situations that may be expected in the workplace

appropriate emergency protection systems and emergency control equipment

relevant standards and workplace procedures


Range Statement

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.

Hazardous work may include:

handling dangerous goods and hazardous materials (including waste)

hot work

manufacturing

unsafe manual handling

using, mixing and/or moving chemicals

working at heights, in confined spaces, in poorly ventilated spaces or around noise

working around traffic

working with plant and machinery

working with unstable equipment or equipment that has deteriorated

Emergency protection systems may include:

automatic fire/leak/spill/movement detectors

CCTV

communications systems

manual alarms

passive installations, fire/smoke doors, fire walls

security infrastructure

special hazard identification systems

spill/leak containment systems

sprinkler and deluge systems

warning systems

Emergency control equipment may include:

communications equipment

escape equipment

fire/smoke detection, alarm, mitigation and suppression systems

first-aid kits

forcible entry tools

initial response firefighting equipment

isolation barriers

personal protection kits

shower and eyewash

spill control kits/equipment

Evacuation systems may include:

access, egress

exits

procedures

Situations that could lead to emergency protection systems, emergency control equipment and evacuation systems being made inoperable may include:

blocking egress

compromising security infrastructure or integrity

emergency lighting and/or exit lighting being damaged, missing or under service

locking or blocking exits

impairing exits and/or pathways to exits

interfering with alarm systems

not replacing or replenishing used emergency equipment

not reporting damage to emergency control equipment or facilities

propping open fire/smoke doors


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.