This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to screen people to enter an airside security zone or landside security zone, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes preparing for screening; screening people; responding to detection of weapons, explosives, prohibited items or liquid, aerosol or gel (LAG) products; and undertaking a frisk search of persons.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to aviation security duties of ground operations personnel, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Prepare for screening 

1.1

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

1.2

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

1.3

Screening equipment safety risks are identified and controlled during set up and testing, in accordance with workplace procedures

2 

Screen people 

2.1

Screening purpose is identified and appropriate screening equipment is selected in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Orderly flow of people is maintained through screening point in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3

Courteous, professional and sensitive communications are used to assist persons through screening process

2.4

Infants and people with specific needs are identified and accommodated in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5

Potential causes of delays are identified, communicated to relevant personnel and acted on to minimise their impact

2.6

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

3 

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

3.1

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

3.2

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

3.3

LAG products are handled and destroyed in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures

4 

Undertake a frisk search of persons 

4.1

Power to undertake a frisk search of persons under the applicable legislation and workplace procedures is explained and applied

4.2

Consent of a person is obtained prior to conducting a frisk search, and a private area where frisk search can be conducted is identified

4.3

Frisk search of a person is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures are followed during the conduct of a frisk search of persons

4.5

Special screening methods and requirements are applied when conducting a frisk search of infants, children or other persons with special needs in accordance with workplace procedures

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Legislative requirements must include:

• Aviation Transport Security Act (and amendments)
• notices made under the Act
• organisation’s transport security program as approved under the Aviation Transport Security Act

Workplace procedures must include one or more of the following:

• access and equity policies, principles and practices
• applicable legislative requirements and Aviation Screening Notices
• 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
• own role, responsibility and authority
• privacy and confidentiality
• standard operating procedures for screening
• WHS/OHS policies and procedures

Screening equipment must include:

• body scanner
• explosive trace detection (ETD)
• handheld metal detector (HHMD)
• walk through metal detector

Weapons, explosives, prohibited items and LAG products must include:

• articles outlined in legislation
• articles specified by client or by federal, state/ territory statutes (including impermissible LAG products)

Persons with specific needs must include one or more of the following:

• person in a wheelchair who may or may not be able to stand unassisted
• person who requires a walking aid
• person who is hearing impaired
• person who is vision impaired
• person who is accompanied by an assistance or companion animal (such as a guide dog)
• person who requires the assistance of a carer
• person with a prosthetic device, body brace or other medical device
• parent/carer/guardian with an infant/baby

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with workplace procedures
• checking, setting up and operating screening equipment including equipment for walking through metal detection, explosive trace detection, hand wands and body scanners
• communicating effectively with people
• complying with applicable legislative requirements and codes of practice
• conducting an inspection and search of people
• conducting a frisk search of a person using correct techniques and procedures in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures, legislative requirements and workplace procedures
• directing the flow of people through a screening point
• identifying screening equipment failure during testing
• identifying screening equipment failures when screening people to enter an airside security zone or landside security zone at an airport
• identifying weapons, explosives, prohibited items or liquid, aerosol or gel (LAG) products accurately
• implementing contingency plans
• maintaining goodwill and professionalism when dealing with incidents
• modifying approaches in accordance with legislative requirements and workplace procedures when screening infants, children and persons with specific needs
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards that could cause delays for passengers at airports and taking appropriate action
• monitoring, identifying and responding to alarms, audible and visual
• presenting a professional image to members of the public and colleagues
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• recognising suspicious behaviour
• recording and reporting information
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• working effectively as part of a team.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• airport patrons:

• aviation staff
• airline passengers
• clients
• contractors
• visitors
• security personnel

• airside security zones on an airport:

• enhanced inspection area
• security restricted area

• communication channels and procedures
• components, operating principles and characteristics of typical weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products that may be contained on a person or in personal effects
• correct position, speed and gait of persons walking through metal detection equipment
• duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics requirements
• emergency and evacuation procedures
• landside security zones on an airport:

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

• layout and access points of premises
• legislative requirements relating to searching people
• limits of own responsibility and authority in relation to dealing with identified weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products
• methods and techniques for screening people
• operational principles of screening equipment
• positive alarm response procedures
• potential causes of delays when screening people that may occur in an airport environment and the action that should be taken
• principles of customer service and contributions for minimising delays of passengers at airports
• principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques
• procedures for conducting frisk search of persons
• procedures for reporting identified weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products
• procedures for screening infants, children and persons with specific needs
• procedures for selecting a random sample of persons for screening with explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment
• procedures to identify, handle and isolate weapons, explosives, prohibited items or LAG products
• situations requiring a law enforcement officer or emergency services
• social and cultural issues:

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

• WHS/OHS procedures relevant to setting up and operating screening equipment
• workplace procedures to be followed when screening equipment does not meet the required standard during testing
• workplace procedures to be followed when screening equipment fails during screening
• workplace standards for minimising passenger delays.