Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit applies to people operating in support of helicopter operations at a remote location or specialised helideck landing facility. In the event of an incident the person would undertake a front line role in rescue operations and damage control.

Application of the unit 

In a typical scenario, a person would facilitate the safe loading and unloading of personnel and cargo prior to or at the conclusion of a helicopter operation. With the occurrence of an emergency landing or aborted take-off the person would provide essential rescue and containment services.

Key aspects of the competence include:

• making correct judgements about the course of action to be followed
• focusing on the rescue and subsequent safety of personnel involved
• reducing the hazards applicable to the site
• containment or neutralising of any hazardous substances.

The individual may:

• look for and rescue casualties
• contain any fire or neutralise any hazardous substances
• render the incident site safe following the incident

Generally the person would undertake initial actions of their own accord as an incident team member, however during an incident response they would respond to the incident team leader. At all times they would be cooperating with other members of the incident response team.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Respond to the incident

1.1. Raise the alarm

1.2. Identify hazards and personal injury risks associated with the incident

1.3. Take immediate action to initiate deluge system to provide for fire suppression if appropriate

1.4. Ensure blades and rotors have stopped moving before approaching the aircraft

1.5. Look for signs of movement in the aircraft and actions to initiate escape from the fuselage

1.6. Identify the safest path to and from the aircraft

2. Evacuate persons from the aircraft

2.1. Select equipment to facilitate evacuation and rescue

2.2. Act to assist persons trying to exit the aircraft

2.3. Direct or assist persons to a safe area in accordance with the emergency response plan

2.4. Use appropriate rescue techniques and equipment to release entrapped persons

2.5. Assist rescued persons to the safe area

3. Provide assistance to evacuees

3.1. Ensure assistance is sought for evacuees

3.2. Assist to extinguish any burning clothing or equipment such as damaged life jackets

3.3. Assist to move evacuees as directed by the incident team leader or medical officer

4. Conclude incident activities

4.1. Assist team members to contain any fires or spillage

4.2. Search for and alert the incident team leader of any collateral damage

4.3. Assist with recovery of any debris that poses a threat to safety, moving components as little as possible in the process

4.4. Seek personal medical attention or support as necessary

4.5. Assist to secure the site to facilitate investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident

5. Complete incident debrief

5.1. Record any damage inflicted on the aircraft in rescuing personnel

5.2. Complete an incident report in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3. Participate in debriefing sessions conducted by the organisation's or external authority representatives

5.4. Identify any problems in equipment or process of responding to the incident

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Competence includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems within the incident response system and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems indicated by:

• defective or inoperable equipment
• inappropriate or confused response to the incident
• injury to helideck operator.

Required knowledge 

The knowledge referred to in the Evidence Guide for this unit includes:

• type of aircraft and its construction
• aircraft hazards
• helideck emergency procedures
• fire-fighting strategies and tactics for aircraft incidents
• muster points and safe areas for evacuees.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Assessment for this unit of competency will be by way of simulation or observation under incident conditions. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which can include a variety of incident circumstances.

Simulations must, as closely as possible, approximate actual incident conditions and should be based on the actual facility. Assessments should include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components and may include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what-if' scenarios both in the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the site.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate responsive action. The emphasis should be on the ability to deal effectively with the incident or to contribute effectively to the recovery from the incident.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• incident responses are in accordance with prescribed company procedures
• correct incident response equipment (where required) is used appropriately
• the safety and/or successful recovery of the individual and others affected by the incident response is afforded priority in the actions taken
• actions taken do not inhibit incident response effectiveness or further contribute to the incident
• appropriate documentation, including reports, journal entries, logs and/or clearances, are completed in accordance with procedures

These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from past workplace incident history, incidents in similar workplaces around the world, hazard analysis activities and/or similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require (1) access to an accurately simulated environment in the absence of an on-site incident environment, or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

In all environments it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other relevant units.

Method of assessment 

In all environments it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other relevant units.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

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, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice / standards 

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context 

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and workplace activity which forms part of the incident response system. For your work environment this may include (select relevant items):

• rescue equipment
• specialised tools for cabin entry
• fixed fire-fighting systems
• deluge systems
• portable fire extinguishers
• personal protective equipment.

Typical problems for your facility might include:

• limited space in which to operate
• moving parts beyond the proximity of the helicopter fuselage
• flying debris
• heat
• limited vision due to smoke.

Health , safety and environment  (HSE )

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Relationship to Major Hazard Facility Legislation 

Organisations within the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Oil Refining industries may find themselves falling under the provisions of various Major Hazard Facilities legislation. In developing this unit consideration has been given to the requirements of Sections 8 and 9 of the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014(2002)] and the National Code of Practice for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:2016(1996)].

This unit will assist individuals to meet some of their obligations under the relevant State or Territory legislation. Responsibility for appropriate contextualisation and application of the unit to ensure compliance however, remains with the individual organisation.

Unit sector 

Support/generic

Competency field 

Co-requisite units