Unit of competency details

Release 

TP version 

Comments 

2

PUA12 V1

Layout adjusted. Application and Range Statement revised.

1

PUA00 V8.1

First release in TGA.

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. Initiate a system of emergency response planning 

1.1 Develop a workplace emergency plan, and ensure a system of emergency alerting is planned, specified, implemented and maintained according to the workplace emergency plan, needs, resources and relevant legislation.

1.2 A means of alerting people to the need for evacuation or other initial emergency response  is provided in accordance with relevant legislation or appropriate standards.

1.3 Emergency risk management process is developed and implemented according to legislative requirements and relevant standards.

1.4 Emergency control organisation is established and trained to meet organisational needs and resources and the workplace emergency plan.

1.5 Resources required to support the effective operation of the emergency control organisation are identified and allocated.

2. Ensure emergency control organisation is in place 

2.1 Possible emergencies are identified and defined and plans are developed to deal with them.

2.2 Building plans are analysed for initial emergency response issues.

2.3 Emergency response procedures are based on emergencies identified in the hazard analysis.

3. Provide for initiation and control of initial emergency response 

3.1 Procedures for initiating and controlling the initial emergency response are developed, implemented and communicated according to workplace emergency procedures.

3.2 Suitable arrangements are established for the evacuation of people who need assistance. 

3.3 Plans provide for assets  to be secured where safe to do so.

3.4 Plans provide for restricted access to the evacuated area.

3.5 Evacuation exercises are conducted to validate and amend the procedures as required.

3.6 A system to account for all people during emergencies is developed and implemented.

4. Provide for post initial response activities 

4.1 Priorities for evacuation and post initial response activities  are put in place.

4.2 Need for post initial response activities is considered and discussed with emergency services.

4.3 Possible post initial response activities and procedures are documented in workplace emergency procedures.

4.4 Workplace emergency procedures provide for initial emergency response activities being completed before post initial response activities are undertaken.

4.5 Workplace emergency procedures provide for recovery activities to be identified and developed, and their implementation to be facilitated.

5. Plan and implement emergency control organisation training 

5.1 Training needs are identified and documented.

5.2 Relevant training is developed, implemented and regularly reviewed according to workplace emergency plan, legislative requirements and relevant standards.

5.3 Training covers topics identified in the needs analysis before a person is assigned emergency duties, when those duties are changed, or when a significant change occurs to the risk of emergencies at the workplace.

5.4 Sufficient relevant refresher training, drills and exercises are conducted so that competencies needed by the workplace emergency initial response team are maintained.

5.5 Resources required for training are identified and provided.

5.6 Training provided reflects the needs of the workplace, the individuals and statutory requirements.

5.7 Qualified and experienced people are used to provide training.

5.8 Feedback on training is sought and used to improve future training.

6. Provide advice and support for people in the post response and recovery phase 

6.1 Provision is made for minimising adverse consequences to people involved, the environment and the organisation.

6.2 A process is provided for debriefing to be undertaken according to workplace procedures.

6.3 A process is provided for external support services  to be accessed as necessary.

6.4 Provision is made for liaison with the media to be undertaken according to organisation procedures.

6.5 Provision is made for appropriate reports to be completed and processed according to organisation procedures.

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

Required Skills 

• analyse
• chair meetings
• manage projects
• manage risk
• plan
• communicate

Required Knowledge 

• characteristics, limitations and use of emergency alerting systems and procedures
• emergency alerting needs
• hazard identification and the precautions to be observed during emergencies
• legislative requirements
• methods/priorities in managing media responses in emergency situations
• organisation and its human resources
• people who may need assistance and the assistance they may require
• pre-planning procedures to allow for the conduct of post initial response activities
• roles and responsibilities under legislation of employers, managers, supervisors, employees and contractors
• requirements under relevant standards and codes of practice
• resources required to support an emergency control organisation
• systems for controlling the entry of visitors, contractors and staff during an emergency
• workplace emergency hazard analysis

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to plan and prepare for the range of possible emergencies as identified by the hazard analysis.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of emergencies that could be expected in the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• scenarios that reflect a range of emergency situations that may be expected in the workplace
• hazard analyses
• emergency planning committee

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.

Initial emergency response  may include:

• to evacuate
• not to evacuate
• to partially evacuate
• advice or requests for emergency services
• alternative evacuation
• lateral evacuation
• any guidance from emergency response team
• designated assembly area
• evacuation routes and destination
• not to re-enter the evacuated area until directed by emergency personnel
• shelter in place/lockdown
• relocating or providing welfare services for evacuated persons
• restricting entry to danger areas
• searching floors or areas
• supplying emergency equipment
• use of response equipment

People who need assistance  may include:

• babies and children
• people with a mobility, intellectual, visual, auditory or sensory impairment, either temporary or permanent, who require assistance during an emergency response
• people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• people who are injured
• people who are not able to comprehend the instructions given
• pregnant women
• the elderly

Assets  may include:

• equipment
• information
• livestock
• machinery
• material
• plant

Post initial response activities  may include:

• advice or requests for emergency services
• assisting with recovery activities
• assisting with authorised restoration of normal activity
• participating in debriefing
• providing advice
• requests for emergency services or specialist response team
• relocating or providing welfare services for evacuated persons
• restricting entry to danger areas
• searching floors or areas
• security
• supplying emergency equipment

External support services  may include:

• community services
• counselling services
• unions