Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to work at height in the stevedoring industry under the relevant regulatory requirements, including using site safe work instructions and procedures for working at height. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work at height in a stevedoring environment involves the application of workplace safe work instructions and procedures and regulatory requirements as part of work activities. It also includes an understanding of the risk management procedures for working at height.

Working at height tasks are performed by a minimum two-person team under some supervision.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Apply working at height regulations and procedures 

1.1 Standards and regulations relevant to working at height are interpreted and applied

1.2 Relevant safe work instructions, procedures and risk assessment policies and procedures are interpreted and applied

2 Select and inspect equipment for working at height 

2.1 Appropriate 'working at height equipment' required when working at height in the stevedoring industry is identified and selected as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

2.2 'Working at height equipment' is inspected as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3 Use 'working at height equipment' in the stevedoring industry 

3.1 Safety requirements when working at height in the stevedoring industry are interpreted and implemented, and required action is taken to ensure a safe work area as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3.2 Correct manual handling techniques are interpreted and used when working at height

3.3 Appropriate action is taken to ensure compliance with site safe work instructions and standard operating procedures for working at height

3.4 'Working at height equipment' is used as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3.5 'Working at height equipment' is used from a workcage as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3.6 Anchorage points are identified and used as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3.7 Working at height emergency procedures are interpreted and implemented when required

3.8 Working at height rescue kit is inspected and appropriate action is taken to rectify or replace defective components

3.9 Working at height rescue kit is used as per regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

3.10 Working at height procedures are followed during a rescue operation

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Australian Standards, codes and regulations relevant to 'working at height'

• Relevant sections of Marine Orders Part 32 - Cargo Handling Equipment (as promulgated by AMSA)

• Relevant OH&S procedures and guidelines

• Working at height safe work instructions and procedures

• Risk assessment policies and procedures

• Working at height equipment checklist

• Working at height rescue procedures

• Procedures for using portable ladders when working at height

• Risks and hazards of working at height and related precautions to control these risks and hazards

• Manual handling methods for working at height

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when working at height

• Read and interpret information relevant to working at height including instructions for safe work at height, workplace procedures, and applicable standards and codes of practice

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to working at height

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when working at height

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may arise when working at height in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when working at height

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when working at height

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Identify, select and use relevant 'working at height equipment'

• Inspect 'working at height equipment'

• Use ancillary 'working at height equipment'

• Work from a workcage when working at height

• Employ correct manual handling techniques

• Assist in the conduct of a Vessel Exception Risk Assessment (VERA) and ensure vessel inspection checklist has been completed prior to commencing work on a vessel

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:

• complying with applicable legislative and procedural requirements while working at height
• identifying risk factors which might impact on working at height and implementing appropriate response measures
• selecting and using appropriate equipment to enable safe and efficient work

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Operational context may include:

• by day or night
• in a range of work environments
• in ships' holds
• on top of containers
• in limited or restricted spaces
• in all weather conditions
• in a workbox or workcage

'Working at height equipment' may include:

• full body harness
• self retracting lanyard
• fall arrestor
• vertical safety line
• horizontal safety line
• double lanyards
• corner anchor posts
• beam clamps
• rescue equipment (gotcha kit)
• karabiner
• scaffold hook
• portable ladder
• foot step
• workcage

Hazards in the work area may include but are not limited to:

• dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, and/or cargo
• inadequate lighting
• vessel movement

Use of 'working at height equipment' may include:

• correctly fitting a full body harness
• correctly wearing a full body harness
• selecting a suitable anchorage point
• setting up and using vertical and horizontal static lines
• setting up and using container anchor posts
• setting up and using beam clamps

Communication in the work area may include:

• radio
• oral, aural or signed communications

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• protective clothing
• high visibility clothing
• full arrest safety harness

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information/documents may include:

• OH&S regulations
• relevant sections of Marine Orders Part 32 - Cargo Handling Equipment (as promulgated by AMSA)
• workplace OH&S procedures and policies
• policies and procedures for working at height
• manufacturers instructions concerning the use and servicing of equipment
• emergency procedures
• goods identification numbers and codes
• relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant sections of Marine Orders Part 32 - Cargo Handling Equipment (as promulgated by AMSA)
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation and safety codes, including manual handling and working at height requirements
• dangerous goods regulations
• relevant sections of AS/NZS Standard 1891 parts 1 to 4
• OH&S Prevention of Falls Regulation 2003
• OH&S manual handling guidelines
• relevant state/territory equal opportunity legislation
• equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workplace relations regulations

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management