Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the Public Safety Training Package.

This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake storm and water damage operations performed at height as a member of a response team. It informs the roles and responsibilities for those undertaking tasks performed at heights to mitigate damage caused by storm.

Height is defined by organisational policy and legislation that deals specifically with working at height.

The unit is applicable to members of emergency services organisations, roof repair services, emergency operators in the mining industry and rural and metropolitan firefighters.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

PUASES008 Undertake storm and water damage operations

SES Sector

State/Territory Emergency Services

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Assess situation 

1.1 

Operation and task information is obtained through the command structure at the incident site

1.2 

Scene reconnaissance is promptly conducted at height and the results are reported

1.3 

Hazards and environmental conditions are identified, risks are assessed, and control measures are implemented

2 

Mitigate the effects of storm damage 

2.1 

Safety systems for working at heights are identified, established and are used, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.2 

Equipment is selected based on incident information and is checked, in accordance with organisational procedures, to ensure it is ready for operational use

2.3 

Personal protective clothing and equipment is prepared and worn, as required

2.4 

Techniques are used to minimise further damage from water entry and to provide for safe access to and from buildings or structures, wherever possible

2.5 

Buildings or structures are temporarily repaired to make them safe, to minimise further damage and to provide for safe access to and from the property, as required

3 

Complete operations 

3.1 

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines, prior to standing down from the operation

3.2 

Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others is recognised and reported to relevant personnel

3.3 

Operational documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and standards

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUASES013A Undertake storm and water damage operations performed at heights.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the Public Safety Training Package.

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

• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements
• collecting and reporting operational and task information including access and egress routes, command, control and coordination arrangements, extent and nature of damage, location, magnitude and type of event, identified and potential hazards and weather forecasts
• communicating with personnel in relation to situational awareness, safety and operational requirements
• completing documentation
• conducting and completing at height storm and water damage operations
• conducting scene reconnaissance including gathering systematic operational and task information on route to and after arrival at scene
• eliminating and controlling hazards
• identifying hazards and defining risk
• implementing safety precautions for working at heights systems
• implementing techniques to make structures and roofing safe
• mitigating effects of storm damage
• providing temporary roof waterproofing repairs
• using equipment including hand and/or power tools, ladders, ropes, anchors and safe work at heights system
• using temporary roof coverings
• wearing personal protective clothing and equipment
• working in a team

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of

• characteristics and limitations of equipment
• communication methods and techniques
• general building construction techniques
• hazard minimisation and risk control techniques
• legislation surrounding entry into residences and/or workplaces
• nature of potential hazards including hazardous materials and electricity
• organisational documentation and policies and procedures including legislation, operational plans and personnel roles and responsibilities
• processes and procedures for briefings and debriefings
• roof materials and repair methods
• scene reconnaissance
• signs and symptoms of operational stress
• storm and water damage operational and task information requirements
• storm damage mitigation concepts
• techniques for temporary repair of damaged buildings and structures
• types of buildings
• types of environmental conditions
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, practices and guidelines including personal protective clothing and equipment and safe work systems for working at heights

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in industry approved simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations including

• working as a member of a team under supervision though some skills may be demonstrated individually
• working at height in an emergency environment

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools and personal protective clothing and equipment currently used in industry including

• equipment used in storm and water damage at height operations

• applicable documentation including organisational procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operations manuals.