Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required in the development of tactics that are to be used in the containment of incidents in on-shore and off-shore facilities. The person would typically be an incident coordinator who would respond to the incident manager.

Application of the unit 

In a typical scenario the person must ensure that the tactics proposed to be employed in response to an incident are appropriate to the circumstances and that actions taken in changing circumstances are effective in dealing with the incident. For instance the options available to incident response teams may be limited and include the need to follow specific procedures or sequences of events. In such a situation the organisation may need clearly defined procedures to ensure that all levels of incident response are aware of how the incident is to be confronted.

Key aspects of this competency include:

• forming clear and unambiguous views about the nature of the potential incident
• evaluating and prioritising alternative tactics
• analysing and interpreting information for trends and impacts
• forwarding key information to those who require it

The person may:

• undertake critical analysis and problem solving
• examine specific scenarios and develop tactics to physically contain those events
• evaluate alternative tactics
• recommend the most appropriate strategy
• document strategies

Generally the person would be an incident coordinator, manager or technical specialist and be part of an incident response team during the incident. They may have an ongoing role for managing incident information and/or the incident information system.

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. Identify incident containment tactics

1.1. Identify risk characteristics of the possible incident scenarios

1.2. Identify specific objectives of incident containment

1.3. Identify existing tactics

1.4. Develop a range of alternative tactics

2. Evaluate tactics

2.1. Predict incident behaviour and growth under alternative strategy scenarios

2.2. Consider issues relating to health, safety and environment

2.3. Identify and secure resource requirements for alternative tactics

2.4. Identify the impact of tactics on a range of factors

2.5. Identify and clearly document tactics

2.6. Obtain, collate and record feedback on tactics from stakeholders and incident managers and ensure this is reflected into the documentation according to procedures

2.7. Negotiate stakeholder needs and address

3. Select tactics

3.1. Document findings and feedback on the suitability of different tactics

3.2. Recommend preferred tactics according to procedures

3.3. Document tactics and build into strategies and training doctrines

4. Adopt strategies

4.1. Incorporate documentation on selected tactics into the appropriate incident management manuals

4.2. Notify stakeholders of new tactics

4.3. Incorporate selected tactics into incident training exercises

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:

• tactics fail to achieve the desired outcomes
• input to tactic development is limited or of less value than expected
• tactics when exercised show gaps or limitations in effectiveness
• adoption of tactics proves problematic or resistance is encountered
• incident containment proves to be of limited success.

Required knowledge 

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

• different types of incidents and risks
• incident prediction
• equipment required
• rescue techniques
• intervention and control techniques for heating, fires and explosions
• incident resources and how to access them
• incident response and disaster planning processes and techniques
• relevant legislation
• hazard identification and control
• risk management principles and techniques
• structure, roles, capabilities and operational limitations of external resources and agencies
• insurance policies and considerations
• economic impact and considerations.

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:

• understanding of incident containment tactics is demonstrated
• understanding of the regulatory environment in which actions need to take place is explained
• the impact of the incident on environment, local community and economy of the organisation is understood
• tactics are evaluated with consideration given to advantages and disadvantages
• hazard risk identification and control is demonstrated
• information gathering, analysis and communication are demonstrated to the required level
• relevant personnel and experts/specialists with whom consultation must take place are identified

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 or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs and a bank of questions to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions will likewise be required.

Method of assessment 

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 

Incidents may include:

• fire
• explosion
• gas or oil leak
• accident
• bomb threat
• missing personnel
• combination of the above

Tactics are identified through:

• consultation with experts
• literature review

Stakeholders may include:

• shareholders
• board of directors
• employees
• unions
• contractors
• suppliers
• insurance companies
• local community
• fire brigade
• police
• local emergency management organisations
• medical services
• relevant public authority

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