Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1

Prepare for screening of articles

1.1

Legislative requirements relevant to screening articles at airports are identified and complied with

1.2

Screening equipment is tested in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and workplace procedures

1.3

Situations requiring a physical search of articles to enter a security zone are recognised in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Consent of the person is obtained prior to conducting a physical search of identified articles

1.5

Action is taken in response to persons not consenting in accordance with workplace procedures

2

Screen articles prior to entering a security zone

2.1

Articles are presented appropriately for screening in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Screening equipment is used in accordance with workplace procedures to identify weapons, explosives, prohibited items and LAG products

2.3

Screening documentation is completed in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Conduct physical search of articles

3.1

Physical searches are carried out in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Physical searches are conducted at the designated searching point and, where possible, with the person present

3.3

Components of the item are visually identified in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4

Suspected weapons, explosives, prohibited items and LAG products are detected if present

3.5

Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures are followed during physical searches of articles

3.6

Customer service principles and standards are applied throughout the screening process

3.7

If a person does not consent to the physical search of the required item, that person is not cleared to enter the sterile area and escalation occurs in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Respond to the detection of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products

4.1

Workplace procedures are followed in response to the detection of suspected weapons, explosives, prohibited substances or LAG products

4.2

Weapons, explosives or prohibited items are handled and stored in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

LAG products are handled and destroyed in accordance with workplace procedures

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

Required knowledge: 

• Sections of the Regulations relevant to the physical search of articles in an aviation environment including the Notices made under the Regulations applicable to the methods, techniques and equipment used for screening
• The organisation’s transport security procedures and policies applicable to the physical searching of articles
• Situations requiring a physical search of articles to enter a security zone
• Typical issues that may occur when conducting a physical search of articles to enter a security zone in an aviation environment and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve and avoid the issues
• Limits of own responsibility and authority in relation to dealing with identified weapons, explosives, prohibited substances and LAG products
• Reporting requirements for the physical search of articles to enter a security zone in an aviation environment
• Methods, techniques and equipment involved when conducting a search of articles to enter a security zone in an aviation environment in accordance with the Regulations and Notices made under the Regulations
• Signs and other indications of the presence of weapons, explosives, prohibited substances or LAG products within articles to enter a security zone which might pose a threat to aviation security
• The components, operating principles, and characteristics of typical, weapons, explosives, prohibited items and LAG products that may be contained in articles to enter a security zone
• Workplace procedures to be followed when weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products which might pose a threat to aviation security have been detected
• Site layout, organisational structure and workplace procedures for aviation transport security screening
• Roles and responsibilities of law enforcement officers and/or other government officers within the aviation workplace
• Contact details for airline and airport staff and relevant law enforcement agencies
• Workplace procedures in the event that screening equipment fails during screening of articles to enter an aviation security zone
• Workplace procedures in the event that screening equipment does not meet the required standard during testing
• Occupational health and safety requirements (OHS) relevant to the set up and operation of screening equipment

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively with others when conducting screening of articles to enter a security zone in an aviation environment
• Read, understand and apply the Act and the Regulations, Notices made under the Act and the Regulations and workplace procedures applicable to screening of articles to enter a security zone in an aviation environment
• Respond to and report any security incidents and/or detected presence of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products detected when screening articles to enter a sterile area in an aviation environment
• Complete required documentation relevant to screening articles to enter a sterile area in an aviation environment
• Work collaboratively with others when screening articles to enter a sterile area in an aviation environment
• Use appropriate customer service skills when conducting a physical search of articles to enter a sterile area in an aviation environment
• Take appropriate action in response to security incidents when conducting a screening of articles to enter a secure area including contingency procedures in the event of the detected presence of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products in accordance with the organisation’s transport security program and workplace procedures
• Modify activities in response to different workplace contingencies, risk situations and environments
• Identify, select, use and routinely check relevant equipment, processes and procedures when conducting screening of articles to enter a secure area in an aviation environment
• Communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities
• Identify screening equipment failures during screening of articles to enter an airside security zone or landside security zone at an airport
• Identify screening equipment failure during testing

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include:

• demonstrate the ability to prepare articles for screening prior to entering a secure area
• using the correct methods and techniques, conduct screening of an item for weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products
• demonstrate the ability to conduct a physical search of articles for weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• demonstrate the ability to take the correct action in response to the detection of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products during screening

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Legislative requirements may include:

• the Aviation Transport Security Act (and amendments)
• the Aviation Transport Security Regulations
• the organisation’s transport security program as approved under the Aviation Transport Security Act
• Notices made under the Act and the Regulations
• other Regulations relating to security screening at an airport

Workplace procedures or requirements may relate to:

• applicable legislative requirements and Aviation Screening Notices
• access and equity policies, principles and practices
• client service standards
• code of conduct or ethics
• communication and reporting procedures
• complaint and dispute resolution procedures
• emergency and evacuation procedures
• employer and employee rights and responsibilities
• equipment use and maintenance
• OHS policies and procedures
• own role, responsibility and authority
• privacy and confidentiality
• standard operating procedures for screening

Articles may include:

• bags
• cabin baggage
• checked baggage
• hold baggage
• packages
• personal effects
• work equipment
• tools of trade
• display/promotional items
• vehicles/machinery

Airside security zones on an airport include:

• the security restricted area
• the enhanced inspection area

Landside security zones on an airport include:

• the sterile area
• the fuel storage zone
• the air traffic control facilities zone
• the navigational aids zone

Weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products are:

• as described under the Regulations
• those articles specified by the client, or by federal, state or territory statutes (including impermissible LAG products)

Screening equipment may include:

• W-ray screening equipment
• Explosive Trace Detection (ETD)
• hand-held metal detector

Situations requiring a physical search of articles include:

• when X-ray screening fails to clearly identify an item that may be a weapon, explosive, prohibited item or LAG product
• when X-ray screening identifies a weapon, explosive, prohibited item or LAG product
• when the item to be screened is oversize
• when screening is being conducted at a temporary screening point and X-ray screening equipment is not available
• when the X-ray screening equipment malfunctions or is otherwise not operating
• when the item cannot be cleared by the X-ray screening equipment
• when a person requests a physical inspection of their personal effects
• when articles are left unattended

Physical searching of articles consists of:

• the methods and techniques as described in the relevant Sections of the Notice made under the Aviation Screening Notices

Aspects of articles of which a person must be mindful during a physical search include:

• the weight of articles
• the possibility that articles contain false bottoms or concealed compartments
• any aspect of the articles that appears unprofessional or repaired, or shows signs of modification, tampering or external switches, batteries or wires

Social and cultural differences may relate to:

• dress and personal presentation
• gender and gender identity
• food preferences
• language
• religion
• social conventions
• traditional practices
• values and beliefs