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. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess and action situational risks in  workplaces 

1.1 Situational safety is assessed and well-informed judgements are made in accordance with agreed operational practices and the surrounding environment

1.2 Potential risks  to own safety, the safety of fellow officers and members of the public are quickly and correctly identified, assessed and actioned  where appropriate

2. Maintain a safe working environment 

2.1 Operational safety responses/procedures are identified and/or planned and implemented within organisational policies and procedures

2.2 Equipment, materials and environment are assessed for hazards and protective action is planned to ensure the health and safety of people

2.3 Safety issues  are evaluated and advised to relevant officers and alternate responses are actioned where appropriate

2.4 Appropriate protective clothing and equipment are correctly identified, worn and utilised where and when required

2.5 Incidents are identified, and observations are recorded and reported accurately, promptly and in the required format to relevant personnel

3. Employ operational safety skills and tactics 

3.1 Situations are assessed correctly and informed judgements made as appropriate for the use of operational safety skills and tactics 

3.2 Operational safety skills and tactics are applied in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, subject to surrounding conditions

3.3 Documentation regarding the use of force is completed and submitted in accordance with organisational requirements

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

Required Skills 

• effectively communicate safety issues/concerns to colleagues, supervisors and when necessary, other emergency service workers and the public
• effectively communicate with a wide range of community members such as those with physical/sensory/intellectual impairment and with different cultural backgrounds
• minimise workplace risks to self, colleagues and the public
• plan, implement and where necessary adapt workplace safety responses to situational contexts
• recognise and accurately assess, situational risks/hazards
• safely operate and use general issue and emergency operational equipment and safety clothing

Required Knowledge 

• established strategies to optimise safety under a range of operational scenarios
• general duty of care responsibilities
• most appropriate use of force (restraining and defensive tactics)
• occupational health and safety (OH&S) guidelines for lifting and carrying persons
• organisational OH&S legislation as it applies to policing
• organisational policies and procedures covering operational safety issues/practices
• potential risks associated with a full range of non-specialist operational policing activities
• use of force, its legal parameters and reporting requirements in relation to operations

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 this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• identify workplace safety risks, work practices and defensive tactics to ensure the safety of self and others.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• standard organisational operational accoutrements
• operational safety equipment and vehicles.

Method of assessment 

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

• direct observation
• interviewing the candidate
• journals and workplace documentation
• third party reports from supervisors
• written or oral questions.

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.

Workplaces  may include:

• Crime/incident scenes
• Foot or mobile patrol environments
• Industrial/business/domestic buildings
• Police stations
• Public crowd/traffic control tasking sites
• Public transport systems
• Sporting and social venues
• Watch houses

Potential risks  may include:

• Buildings or property and could be already present or evolve as a result of actions taken
• Matters or events that could harm persons

Assessing and actioning potential risks  may include:

• Analysing situational intelligence and evidence
• Communicating with other agencies such as the Road Traffic Authority (RTA), local government, community services
• Gathering existing situational intelligence from colleagues
• Identifying and valuing potential risks (and their strengths) arising from a situation or a situation's particular timeframe
• Other emergency service workers and/or public present at site
• Reporting
• Reviewing previous reports
• Safe control/management of hazard
• Techniques such as personal observation

Safety issues  may include:

• Issues/matters that may impact on the future safety of officers and could include faulty equipment
• Inappropriate operational procedures or the need for skills enhancement

Operational safety skills and tactics  may include:

• Crowd control
• Dealing with aggressive/violent/intoxicated/drugged/ injured/uncooperative persons
• Dealing with potentially hazardous substances such as noxious gases, chemicals, fuels
• Lifting and carry persons
• Operation of police vehicles and equipment including weapons
• Preventing disease transmissions
• Range of skills and tactics sanctioned by an organisation to enable an officer to defend against or restrain persons attempting to physically harm themselves
• Risk assessment and contingency planning
• Situational communication techniques
• Use of force techniques/options/strategies
• Use of safety clothing (such as visibility vests, wet weather gear, riot clothing/headgear, rubber gloves)
• Warning devices (portable lamps, signs, torches) and safety barriers/warning tapes